We are a new federation of organizations committed to development that is economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable and restorative that will lead to the re-building of urban and rural communities devastated by de-industrialization.
Phil Thompson, Professor of Political Science and Urban Planning, MIT
Ron Carver, Founding Director of the Teamster’s Office for Strategic Campaigns
Here is a curated section from FMR of current news that highlights legislation, manufacturing and industrial policy, inclusion and training, and employee ownership.
By Lauren Fedor Financial Times In Licking County, Ohio, massive red cranes dot the landscape and orange traffic signs warn motorists that trucks are entering
Can the US lead on clean aluminum? Ford, GM and others hope so A group of 14 major aluminum buyers wants the U.S. to invest
A look at how smaller manufacturers are using the technology to grow their businesses. By Bryan Bird Industry Week For North American businesses of all
By Sarah Wray Cities Today As cities create and implement climate action plans, new research highlights the need for more focus on green workforce planning.
What is urgently needed is a political platform that embraces a sound climate stabilization plan which ensures a just transition, creates a plethora of new
How Beijing Threatens U.S. Dominance By Dan Wang Foreign Affairs March/April 2023 In 2007, the year Apple first started making iPhones in China, the country was
Dan Swinney, FMR Co-Chair, Manufacturing Renaissance, Erica Staley, Manufacturing Renaissance | Ibon Zugasti, LKS Mondragon | Ander Caballero, FMR International Organizer, Basque Country | Michael Peck, 1Worker 1Vote | Michael Bennett, African American Leadership and Policy Institute | Carl Davidson, Re-imagining Beaver County | Alan Minsky, Progressive Democrats of America | Michelle Burris, The Century Foundation | Doug Gamble, Manufacturing Renaissance | Michael Partis, FMR Co-Chair | Teresa Cordova, Great Cities Institute, University of Illinois | Matt Wilson, Great Cities Institute, University of Illinois | Michael Moriarty, FMR Sec. Treasurer, Chicago Teachers Union Foundation | Robert Creamer, Democracy Partners | Chris Cooper, Ohio Employee Ownership Center | Katy Stanton, Urban Manufacturing Alliance | Kristen Barker, Co-op Cincy | David Levine, American Sustainable Business Network | Andrew Dettmer, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union
A nationwide Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance has been formed with five foundational pillars:
The Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance (FMR) is committed to development that is economically, environmentally, and socially sustainable and restorative. We believe that a “high road,” inclusive manufacturing ecosystem is fundamental for healthy individuals, families, and communities. Toward this end, we:
A number of organizations have formed the Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance. The purpose of the Federation is to:
The public sector including government at all levels, and civil society as represented by the labor movement, community-based organizations, educators, faith-based organizations, the environmental movement and others must play a leading role in retaining, redesigning, and rebuilding our manufacturing sector in partnership with the private sector. Programs focused on inclusion must have the same level of political and financial support as programs focused on new technologies in manufacturing. This ensures that the values of sustainability, justice and restoration guide development and provide public support for building the manufacturing ecosystem.
The United States has experienced a long-term decline in its manufacturing sector with an enormous social, economic, and political impact over the last 50 years. The loss has severely impacted communities throughout the country—urban and rural, white and of color. For the last hundred years, industrial policy has mainly been guided by the private and financial sectors driven by the objective of increasing personal wealth. Manufacturers revolutionized the means of production. They were committed to long-term planning. US manufacturing was known for its innovation. Despite a number of inequities, this industrial policy led to the growth of the middle class and the emergence of the US as the dominant global economy.
By the late 1970s and the emergence of new information technologies, the search for the highest rate of return in the shortest amount of time led to some leaders in the manufacturing and financial sector cannibalizing the very companies that were the heart of the manufacturing sector. Companies closed as investors shifted their financial resources to other sectors. David Roderick, CEO of US Steel closed one of the most profitable steel companies in the world, stating, “I’m in this business to make money, not steel.” Local and state governments were often complicit or passive in engaging the challenges of the manufacturing sector.
In the 1960s, the sector represented more than 27% of GDP. As a result of these practices, manufacturing now represents only 11% of GDP. The country and our communities have suffered in every respect. This reality was a product of industrial policies rather than a “blind market”.
We have launched the Federation for a Manufacturing Renaissance to represent the broad and shared interests of the public and private sectors committed to retaining, redesigning, and rebuilding our manufacturing sector. We are committed to manufacturing, economic democracy, and community development.