Governor Jan Brewer Proclaims October Arizona Manufacturers Month

PHOENIX, AZ (October 1, 2014) — In conjunction with National Manufacturing Day, Governor Jan Brewer today announced her proclamation issued to establish October as Arizona Manufacturers Month. In its second year, this annual Arizona initiative is a partnership between the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Arizona Manufacturers Council, Arizona Technology Council, and Arizona Tooling & Machining Association to highlight the state’s advanced manufacturing ecosystem, innovative companies and the industry’s role in propelling Arizona’s economy into its next era of growth.

During October, Arizona Manufacturers will promote the diverse manufacturing taking place throughout the state, and will showcase how Arizona’s technology-driven manufacturers are delivering products that are making an impact around the world.

Manufacturers will be hosting facility tours, open houses and special events to educate the community about Arizona manufacturing as well as career pathways into the industry for high-skills workers. More than 50 events will be offered throughout Arizona including:

• Arizona Manufacturing Summit – Oct. 3
• Arizona Technology Council Southern Arizona Tech + Business Expo – Oct. 15
• Celebration of Arizona Manufacturing – Oct. 31

ManufacturingRevolution.com 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. For a list of Arizona

Manufacturers Month events click here.

“Manufacturing has played a critical role in Arizona’s economic recovery, which is why I have made it our mission to attract and expand the industry in Arizona,” said Governor Jan Brewer. “We recognize that innovative, research-driven manufacturing produces high-wage jobs and drives our economy forward. It is essential that we continue to promote and foster our pro-business environment that will ensure the success of this vital sector.”

“Arizona continues to be a hub for global manufacturing and is home to leading innovators that are developing products and technologies with worldwide impact,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority. “Arizona’s manufacturing community continues to create career opportunities for high-skills workers across multiple industry growth sectors, and our statewide workforce system and training programs are forging pathways into the industry for in-demand talent that are catalysts for industry advancements and corporate growth.”

“Arizona has become increasingly attractive to manufacturers who want to tap into our highly-skilled workforce and our competitive business environment that encourages innovation and investment,” said Glenn Hamer, President and CEO, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “Arizona provides manufacturers strategic access to global markets and world economies, which makes our state well positioned for further growth in a sector of the economy with high-wage, in-demand jobs.”

“Manufacturing companies of all sizes are a strong component of Arizona Technology Council’s membership and we deal with a variety of policy issues that impact them, including R&D, the environment, workforce development and intellectual property,” said Steven G. Zylstra, President and CEO, Arizona Technology Council. “We’re also very supportive of Arizona Manufacturers Month as an important initiative to advance Arizona’s competitive position in this sector to spur new business and job growth.”

In addition to a list of events, ManufacturingRevolution.com offers manufacturers the opportunity to learn about RevAZ, the state’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership center, run by the ACA and 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.
• Total manufacturing employment exceeded 155,000 in 2013.
• 1 manufacturing job in Arizona supports an additional 1.30 jobs, which means there are 201,556 additional jobs in the state that are supported by manufacturing.
• More than 80% of Arizona's $19.4 billion in exports for 2013 were manufactured goods. The largest sectors for manufactured goods were: computer and electronic products, transportation equipment (which includes aircraft and spacecraft) and non-electrical machinery.
• There were a total of 4,583 establishments that manufactured in Arizona in 2013.
• The average yearly wage for a manufacturing position in 2013 was $69,060. This is more than 50% higher than the average wage for all positions in Arizona.
• Arizona’s total manufacturing output contribution to State Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was nearly $24 billion in 2013, which accounts for more than 9 percent of State GDP.
• Machining related job growth is expected to lead the nation – 37% over the next 9 years – and Arizona has the No. 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 employment.
• Arizona is a leader in computer and electronic product manufacturing and ranks 4th in the nation for semiconductor production employment.
• 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 that recognizes Manufacturing Day on Oct. 3. 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

Ann Dockendorff, State of Arizona, Office of the Governor, 602-542-7029, [email protected] 

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

Garrick Taylor, Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 602-248-9172, [email protected]

Linda Capcara, TechTHiNQ on behalf of the Arizona Technology Council, 480-229-7090, [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. Visit azchamber.com for more.

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 visit www.aztechcouncil.org