2006–2015
I understand the importance of manufacturing to our nation’s economic leadership and prosperity. Our economic growth is powered by manufacturing. Catch this fact: By itself, U.S. manufacturing output is greater in size than the eighth-largest economy in the world. Our manufacturers pioneer the innovations, technology, and methods that maintain this nation’s economic leadership. And it’s important that we remain the economic leader in the world, for the good of our people. —President George W. Bush – 2006 to the National Association of Manufacturers
The year 2008 plunged the United States into a banking crisis that triggered a severe economic recession. It took years to recover as real estate and stock markets suffered as a result.
Meanwhile, the global manufacturing industry moved offshore as the U.S. faced a “silver tsunami” with an increasing number of skilled tradesmen retiring after years in machining.
Between 2001 and 2009, it is estimated that one-third of U.S. manufacturing jobs disappeared.
America’s mindset had centered more on the “service industry” for decades, while the “production industry” was mostly ignored by the younger generations and not promoted by the older generations.
That was about to change.
The Tooling & Manufacturing Association was renamed the “Technology & Manufacturing Association” in 2013 and prepared to revive its hands-on, top-tier training, including Related Theory Course tracks for tool and die making, mold making, and CNC machining.