The U.S Department of Commerce (DOC) recently delivered a comprehensive report to Congress on “The Competitiveness and Innovative Capacity of the United States.”  According to the DOC, the report “serves as a call to arms, highlighting bipartisan priorities to sustain and promote American innovation and economic competitiveness.”

The report examines several areas that are critically important to improving our competiveness including basic research, education, infrastructure, and most notably, manufacturing.

According to the report, the DOC recognizes "that a flourishing U.S. manufacturing sector is crucial to competitive strength, economic growth and job creation, as well as to sustaining a strong middle class."

The report also notes that manufacturing is the “biggest source of innovation in our economy” and that “Sixty-seven percent of all the business R&D in America is done by manufacturing companies.”

We couldn't agree more. Manufacturing and innovation go hand in hand, and without a strong manufacturing base, we stand to lose our competitive edge.

Click here to learn more about the report.

Click here to learn more about the report's focus on manufacturing.