In his 2010 State of the Union address, President Obama called for the United States to double its exports over the next five years. It is truly an ambitious plan called the National Export Initiative. We applaud this effort. It is exactly the type of vision we need to restore American manufacturing. Exports mean jobs.
Right now only one in 100 small- and medium-sized U.S. manufacturers engages in exporting. Among those that do, 58 percent sell only to one foreign nation– usually Mexico or Canada. Imagine how rapidly U.S. exports would grow if merely five percent – rather than one percent – of typical U.S. manufacturers found customers beyond our borders.
The key challenge for smaller companies is to find foreign customers and tap into distribution channels that will ensure a reliable supply chain. That's where manufacturing trade associations such as the Industrial Fabrics Association International, with assistance from the public sector through programs like the National Export Initiative, can kindle export expansion.
The Department of Commerce recently awarded the Industrial Fabrics Association International a Market Development Cooperator Program (MDCP) grant. With the help of the MDCP funds, IFAI is creating the first all-inclusive specialty fabrics trade show in the Asia Pacific region. IFAI Expo Asia 2011 is being held in March in Singapore and includes a core group of 9 U.S. manufacturers who are seeking out new connections. Singapore is an appropriate location being recently ranked number one in the world in innovation from a study done by the National Association of Manufacturers and the Boston Consulting Group.
The Department of Commerce support of our industry is much appreciated. There's still much that can be done. We have proven to be a worthy global competitor. Exports of specialty fabrics in the last 12 months to ASEAN countries have increased 65% and overall 28% in the global market.
Ultimately, it's up to private enterprise to fill order books that lead to brisk exports and strong demand in our own country. We're not asking for handouts or protection. We're asking for vision and investment. The specialty fabrics industry is an American manufacturing success story. Let's keep it going.
Stephen M. Warner is CEO and president of Industrial Fabrics Association International.
The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) is a business trade association promoting the products and innovations of the specialty fabrics industry, and is comprised of more than 1,900 member companies in over 54 countries. IFAI will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2012.
Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI)
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