Governor Jan Brewer Proclaims October “Arizona Manufacturers Month”

PHOENIX, AZ (October 2, 2013) — In conjunction with National Manufacturing Day, Governor Jan Brewer today issued a proclamation to establish October as Arizona Manufacturers Month. The initiative is a partnership between the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Arizona Manufacturers Council (AMC) and Arizona Technology Council to highlight the state’s manufacturing ecosystem and its role in propelling Arizona’s economy into the next era of growth.

Throughout October, Arizona manufacturers will promote the diverse manufacturing taking place throughout the state, as well as addresses common misperceptions about manufacturing. Companies will be hosting open house events, facility tours and career workshops, allowing them to show, in a coordinated effort, what Arizona manufacturing is – and what it is not. This effort builds a more cohesive manufacturing community and creates opportunities to attract talent into the field.

“Manufacturing presents significant potential for high-wage employment growth and it is critical to connect today’s talent with the innovative companies that will help drive Arizona’s future economic prosperity,” said Governor Brewer. “Increasing the capabilities and capacity of Arizona’s manufacturers while attracting the skilled workforce they need is essential for the birth of new industries and continued innovation of Arizona’s economy.”

“Arizona Manufacturers Month aims to change the perception about manufacturing to reflect how science and technology have transformed the industry into a state-of-the-art field that crosses into multiple growth sectors,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority. “Manufacturers play a vital role in our statewide economy by creating jobs across Arizona and producing innovative products with global demand, and those companies are offering high-wage career opportunities for highly-skilled workers.”

“Arizona boasts an impressive base of more than 4,500 manufacturers producing a wide range of innovative products for national and international markets,” said Glenn Hamer, President and CEO, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “Our state continues to be a strategic hub for manufacturing and its skilled workforce and leadership in growth industries make it a smart choice for expanding businesses.”

“Manufacturing continues to be the lifeblood of Arizona’s economy and companies in this sector are exporting Arizona innovations around the globe,” said Steve Zylstra, President and CEO, Arizona Technology Council. “Manufacturers create new wealth and high-wage jobs for our state, and this initiative allows us to focus on the positive impact manufacturers have throughout Arizona.”

ManufacturingRevolution.com, which launched for Arizona Manufacturers Month, is a hub of information about Arizona manufacturing and will list company-sponsored events scheduled for October. It will include videos highlighting innovative Arizona manufacturing companies and their high-tech facilities and products. Click here for more about Arizona’s Manufacturing Revolution.

Additionally, ManufacturingRevolution.com offers manufacturers the opportunity to learn about  Rev AZ (the state’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership), a program run by the ACA designed to strengthen manufacturing in Arizona by assisting small- and medium-sized manufacturers to become more efficient and powerful engines of innovation through technical support and services provided by manufacturing experts.

Arizona Manufacturing Stats:

• Arizona is home to more than 4,500 manufacturers.
• Machining related job growth is expected to lead the nation – 37% over the next 9 years – and Arizona has the #2 skilled workforce and 3rd highest rate of new hires in the related sector of precision manufacturing.
• Arizona is ranked 4th in the nation for space and defense manufacturing.
• Arizona is a leader in computer and electronic product manufacturing and ranks 4th in the nation for semiconductor production.
• More than 1,200 companies comprise the aerospace and defense supply chain in Arizona.

Arizona’s effort is part of a grassroots movement involving the nation’s manufacturers, which recognizes Manufacturing Day on Oct. 4. Manufacturing Day is dedicated to overcoming the shared challenges facing manufacturers today. The most pressing issue is a gap in skilled labor: 600,000 manufacturing jobs are currently unfilled in the United States due to a gap between the job requirements and the skills of those who are applying for them. Manufacturers’ abilities to address this gap has been hindered by the public perception that careers in manufacturing are undesirable and applicants have insufficient preparatory education. Both of these problems stem from a lack of understanding of present-day manufacturing environments, which are highly technical.

Media Contacts

Joseph Valdez, Arizona Commerce Authority, (602) 845-1234, [email protected]

About the Arizona Commerce Authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state’s leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create – attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter at @azcommerce.

About the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry:

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry is committed to advancing Arizona’s competitive position in the global economy by advocating free-market policies that stimulate economic growth and prosperity for all Arizonans.

About the Arizona Technology Council

The Arizona Technology Council is Arizona’s premier trade association for science and technology companies. Recognized as having a diverse professional business community, Council members work towards furthering the advancement of technology in Arizona through leadership, education, legislation and social action. The Arizona Technology Council offers numerous events, educational forums and business conferences that bring together leaders, managers, employees and visionaries to make an impact on the technology industry. These interactions contribute to the Council’s culture of growing member businesses and transforming technology in Arizona. To become a member or to learn more about the Arizona Technology Council, please visitwww.aztechcouncil.org.