April 2017 • The PCB Magazine 71
100 DAYS IN: PRESIDENT TRUMP AND A BETTER MANUFACTURING POLICY
Federal Funding
If President Trump truly wants to return
manufacturing jobs to the United States, his
first focus should be on investment in research
and development of new technologies that will
keep America at the forefront of advanced man-
ufacturing.
The Obama administration and Congress
made a valuable contribution by establishing
Manufacturing USA
[6]
, formally known as the
National Network for Manufacturing Innova-
tion. Established with bipartisan congressional
support in 2014, and led by the National Insti-
tute of Standards and Technology, Manufactur-
ing USA brings together industry, academia and
government in a network of public-private part-
nerships designed to accelerate manufacturing
innovation.
For example, my organization—IPC, repre-
senting the electronics industry—is active in
NextFlex
[7]
, a consortium of companies, labo-
ratories, and government agencies that work
together to foster the growth of the flexible
electronics supply chain. Unlike traditional rig-
id circuit boards, flexible circuits embedded in
fabric or film will pave the way to innovations
such as medical implants that conform to bones
and organs; lighter communications gear built
into military uniforms; and solar cells on a roll
of plastic.
Other Manufacturing USA institutes are fo-
cusing on hot areas such as 3D printing, light-
weight materials, and advanced semiconduc-
tors. Taken together, these organizations will
unleash wave after wave of innovation and
growth in the manufacturing sector.
Thus, the Trump administration would do
well to continue advocating for public-private
partnerships, and urge Congress to spare Manu-
facturing USA from budget cuts.
Conclusion
To truly increase the number of American
manufacturing jobs, President Trump should
support increased investment in research and
development for advanced manufacturing,
promote and fund STEM education in primary
and secondary schools, and build stronger ap-
prenticeship programs. It is this type of invest-
ment—in human capital and technology—that
will truly help make American manufacturing
great again.
Special Note
It is time for the PCB manufacturing in-
dustry to present a united front and make our
voices heard. On May 1−3 top executives from
leading electronics companies plan to do just
that as they gather in the nation's capital for
IMPACT Washington, D.C. 2017. Join us as we
advocate for a better public policy framework
for our industry. For more information on this
event, please visit our website.
PCB
References
1. President Trump Announces Manufactur-
ing Jobs Initiative
2. Ball State University, The Myth and Real-
ity of Manufacturing in America
3. ApprenticeshipUSA
4. U.S. Dept. of Labor: ApprentiticeshipUSA
5. U.S. Dept. of Labor: Apprenticeship Quick
Facts
6. Manufacturing USA
7. NextFlex
John Mitchell is president and
CEO of IPC—Association Connect-
ing Electronics Industries. To read
past columns or to contact Mitchell,
click here.
