Protect GM suppliers, asks Association for Manufacturing Technology
GM's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing causes AMT-The Association For Manufacturing Technology to ask Congress and the Administration to protect the U.S. manufacturing technology supplier base.
By Control Engineering Staff -- Control Engineering, 6/1/2009
| Competitiveness: Manufacturers look at what's hot, now, green |
McLean, VA - To ensure the continued strength of American manufacturing, AMT-The Association For Manufacturing Technology urges Congress and the Administration to protect the manufacturing technology supplier base in the wake of GM’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.
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| 65% U.S. government ownership represents a new chapter in GM history. |
The organization says the filing may lead to leaner, more responsive GM, with a business plan that is more likely to lead to success than the status quo. Manufacturing technology suppliers are a crucial component to ensuring that a revived GM is once again a top international competitor, with the ability to produce the most advanced vehicles in the world, AMT says. But if government fails to act, a number of those technology suppliers might not exist to further the mission of a revitalized American automotive industry.
“One critical action that government can take right now is to expand the Auto Supplier Support Program to include manufacturing technology providers up and down the supply chain, as currently they are not receiving any direct funds from the program,” said Douglas K. Woods, AMT president. “Additionally, GM has so far received $19.4 billion from the federal government to cover operations and losses. The total could reach as much as $50 billion in government support. Some portion of the additional funds should be funneled toward its key manufacturing technology providers.”
AMT’s attempts to reach out to the President’s Auto Task Force have so far not been answered, as of this June 1 statement. However, it is imperative that the task force understands the vital role that manufacturing technology plays not just in the automotive industry, but also in such critical industries as renewable energy and medical, AMT says. "Many technology providers that supply the automotive industry also support the defense industry, and their survival must be guaranteed to ensure that we are not one day relying on foreign suppliers for our national security. AMT implores the Administration and Congress to ensure that automotive supply chain participants are protected and also encouraged to continue toward the rebuilding of GM. Without them, American manufacturing faces a bleak, uncertain future," the statement concludes.
AMT provides lobbying and resources to help manufacturers, including manufacturing trade and production data.
- Edited by Mark T. Hoske, editor in chief, Control Engineering News Desk, www.controleng.com
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