Over the past several years, the American manufacturing industry has seen significant shifts with new initiatives in place to propel small businesses and independent manufacturers forward on both a national and global scale. While new resources and better information are helping manufacturers succeed, many businesses — particularly smaller ones — are also actively tapping into new, innovative marketing opportunities to increase exposure.
Renewed Resources, Active Opportunities
Renewed Resources, Active OpportunitiesToday, government, private, and public entities are joining together to build useful resources that will better support manufacturers large and small. Several multiagency partnerships are now offering sophisticated platforms for communication and collaboration among industry, academia, and federal partners.
The Advanced Manufacturing National Program Office (AMNPO), for example, aims to “coordinate the efforts of all federal agencies involved in advanced manufacturing” and is further supported by the Subcommittee on Advanced Manufacturing, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Defense.
Digital Initiatives for Modern Success
As businesses become increasingly aware of these new resources and marketing opportunities, they are more actively tapping into networks that will increase search-ability and visibility.
System for Award Management (SAM), a key reference site for manufacturing businesses, was created with consolidated resources from organizations, such as:
- Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
- Federal Register (FedReg)
- Mayor’s Office of Returning Citizens (ORCA)
- Excluded Parties List System (EPLS)
As a result, SAM provides manufacturers with a simple way to gain exposure. Easy registration, searching, and aggregation allow for a user-friendly, intuitive experience for companies looking to make the first step in a new marketing strategy.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) also offers a full roster of resources and programs to encourage small business success and growth, with an emphasis on regulation compliance and financing solutions.
Following the Money: New Contracts, New Industries
By evaluating new major contracts in the manufacturing world, small businesses in America can more easily identify opportunities. Marked growth is occurring within the aerospace industry, for instance, with large investments coming in regularly, such as UTC Aerospace System’s $39-million contract for surface ship sonar domes. Large-scale projects like this, backed by powerful growth and investment, positively impact the entirety of the supply chain.
Additionally, government agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Transportation — top spenders in the U.S. industrial field — are now increasingly looking close to home for grants, contracts, and loans to encourage growth in America. Various events and seminars are also being offered on platforms like Eventbrite to help local, American-based manufacturers take advantage of such opportunities. It’s events like these that are building a community to support manufacturers in America.
Embracing the Future at American Industrial Co.
At American Industry Co., we are proud to be a part of such a collaborative community of American-based manufacturers. To assist our fellow procurement and supplier specialists, we offer a library of literature where we share our insights.
To help sourcing companies, we’ve outlined the key factors to consider when qualifying a metal stamper in our “Metal Stamper Must-Haves Guide.” To learn more about metal stamping, manufacturing growth projections in 2017, and opportunities available to you, reach out to our team.