Stephen Gold discusses headwinds and tailwinds for U.S. manufacturing recovery

Date: 18 June 2013
Source: AAMA

Date: 18 June 2013

Stephen Gold, president and CEO of Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI), delivered a keynote presentation on the recovery of the U.

S. manufacturing industry during the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) Summer Conference, held in Rosemont, Ill., June 10-13.       According to Gold, U.S. manufacturing “contracted more than 21 percent during the recession,” but began to recover faster than the gross domestic product (GPD) beginning in the third quarter of 2009.However, following a 10 percent growth in the first quarter of 2010, manufacturing recovery has slowed.



During the presentation, Gold noted the headwinds that have slowed U.S. manufacturing growth, preventing an “economic renaissance:" a weak global economy, high structural costs relative to trading partners, political gridlock and the worker skills gap.



In regards to the worker skills gap, Gold noted that this has been “a problem in the making” due to the canceling of many vocational programs, which has left five percent of manufacturing jobs unfilled because of the lack of skilled workers.



While Gold believes job growth for the U.S. manufacturing industry may never reach the levels of the 1990s (17.5 million jobs), it is possible to “regain the jobs lost during the recession if the right policies are in place in Washington.” Additionally, Gold noted that the energy revolution, narrowing age gap between China and the U.S., new shipping and supply chain strategies, as well as re-emergence in the U.S. housing market are all tailwinds for U.S. manufacturing recovery.



Stephen Gold is president and CEO of MAPI. During the past three decades, he has represented U.S. manufacturers in a variety of senior-level roles in nonprofit membership organizations, including in government relations, communications and operations.



More information about AAMA and its activities can be found via the AAMA Media Relations page or on the AAMA website, www.aamanet.org.

600450 Stephen Gold discusses headwinds and tailwinds for U.S. manufacturing recovery glassonweb.com

See more news about:

Others also read

On May 15 and 16, 2025, the A+W Clarity User Conference took place at our headquarters in Fernwald — an event exclusively for our customers from across Europe.
EPPA is proud to present its newly finalised Manifesto, highlighting the key role of PVC window profiles in achieving the EU's sustainability and circular economy objectives.
The 21st edition of GAFA was unveiled on 8 May 2025 at a press conference held at the Java Ballroom, The Westin Jakarta, marking an exciting return to Indonesia.
Discover what’s next in glass at GPD 2025 - with over 120 presentations, hands-on workshops, and global networking opportunities. The program is live - explore it now and secure your spot!
Customers from across the U.S. and Canada came together in Denver, Colorado, May 4–7, 2025, for A+W’s biennial User Conference—Converge ’25.
FIT Show 2025 has firmly established itself as the UK fenestration industry’s must-attend event, delivering its biggest and most vibrant edition yet at Birmingham’s NEC.

Add new comment

From industry