Why We Celebrate Manufacturing Month
Federal export promotion agencies celebrate Manufacturing Month in October to recognize and promote the success of U.S. manufacturers in the global marketplace. It also inspires U.S. manufacturers to pursue global market growth and informs them of the great variety of programs and services available to support their global market entry or expansion.
In 2022, U.S. manufactured goods exports totaled nearly $1.6 trillion, 77 percent of all U.S. merchandise exports. About 96 percent of manufacturers that export are small and medium-sized businesses.
A 2019 study by the California Economic Development Collaborative found that trade manufacturers tend to be older with more years in business, suggesting they may also have better survival rates than non-traders. Trade manufacturers also tend to employ more workers and report higher annual sales on average than non-trade manufacturers of the same age.
U.S. manufacturers, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, can and should leverage the fact that “Made in America” is synonymous with high quality. In addition to that competitive edge, U.S. Federal export promotion agencies provide world-class services to help our U.S. manufacturers go and grow global.
Please join us in recognizing and celebrating our steadfast U.S. manufacturers who represent our great nation in the global marketplace and contribute so much to employment, innovation, and economic growth.
Manufacturing USA
Manufacturing USA consists of a national network of linked manufacturing institutes. Each has a unique technological concentration but is also designed to accelerate U.S. advanced manufacturing as a whole.
Visit Manufacturing USA
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
Throughout October, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) will be inviting manufacturers to share export-related insights. Select video testimonials will be posted on the NAM YouTube site for others to benefit from the insight.
Please consider sharing your story via the link below:
Share your export experience by submitting a short video on the NAM website.
As insights are accumulated and posted, you will be able to find a link to video testimonials from accomplished small business manufacturers at the new page:
Visit the NAM website - Exporting to Markets Around the World.
Spotlight on U.S. Government Export Resources
These federal agencies can help your business grow global sales! Please see below to learn more about what we do and how we can help and connect to export promotion resources.
Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
The Manufacturing Extension Partnership is dedicated to serving small and medium-sized manufacturers. There are 51 MEP Centers in every state and Puerto Rico with over 1,400 trusted advisors and experts that provide U.S. manufacturers with the resources they need to succeed. MEP Centers work with manufacturers to implement lean and process improvement principles, adopt ISO and quality standards, develop new products, find new clients and diversify markets, adopt new technology, enhance value within supply chains, and more. Please see our service offerings below and information on how to contact your local MEP Center.
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
SBA’s Office of International Trade helps small businesses go global by providing business intelligence, grants to find customers overseas, and financing to support international sales.
- Looking for information to help you get started? SBA’s Trade Tools for International Sales website includes information on developing an export plan, identifying target markets, U.S. trade agreements, and much more. You can also call SBA’s International Trade Hotline toll-free (855) 722-4877 or email your trade issue to international@sba.gov.
- Are you concerned about the costs of exporting? The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) provides grants to cover the costs associated with entering and expanding into international markets. Find out if your state or territory is participating.
- Having trouble securing capital to meet your small business exporting needs? SBA’s export loans can be used for working capital to finance foreign sales or for fixed assets, helping you better compete globally. Connect with your regional export finance manager.
U.S. Commercial Service (CS), part of the International Trade Administration
The U.S. Commercial Service (CS) is the trade and investment promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA). With a network of 100+ offices across the U.S. and in American embassies and consulates in more than 75 international markets, its mission is to strengthen the U.S. economy and help create jobs by expanding U.S. exports and facilitating inward investment into the United States. It is an export solutions provider, leveraging global connections to help businesses find partners and customers, assist with strategic planning, and provide foreign market and industry intelligence, website globalization support, and assistance in addressing trade issues.
Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM)
EXIM is the nation’s official export credit agency with the mission of supporting American jobs by facilitating U.S. exports. U.S. small businesses play a critical role in creating and supporting American jobs, and nearly 90% of EXIM transactions directly benefit small businesses. EXIM provides export finance solutions to empower these businesses, including companies with fewer than 100 employees or those that have been traditionally underserved, such as minority-owned and woman-owned companies. To achieve this, EXIM offers two primary products: Export Credit Insurance and Working Capital Loan Guarantees, which are designed to help U.S. companies mitigate risk and access working capital so they can confidently export their goods and services worldwide. For more information, please visit EXIM’s website.
U.S. Census Bureau
The Census Bureau is the official source for U.S. export and import statistics and regulations governing the reporting of exports from the U.S. to other countries. The Census Bureau provides extensive outreach and education to its customers on understanding Foreign Trade Regulations, classifying commodities, using the Automated Export System, and utilizing trade data. USA Trade Online allows users to obtain monthly and annual trade statistics at the district and port levels, as well as state exports and imports. For more information, please visit www.census.gov/trade or call (800) 549-0595 and select the appropriate option. In addition to trade data, we also provide a wide range of domestic data, such as payroll, establishments, expenditures, and much more on the manufacturing industry.
Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
MBDA Export Centers provide free technical assistance and business development to minorities and women who want to learn how to export. MBDA conducts outreach to minorities and women to identify those who are not exporting and would like to explore the opportunity to export. MBDA Export Centers offer one-on-one counseling, webinars, assistance with export business planning, and federal government contract and grant leads. MBDA seeks to educate minority business enterprises on the benefits of strategic growth alternatives, such as exporting to help minorities and women grow and flourish by aiding in greater access to global markets.
Connect with an Export Center
Manufacturing Month Webinar Recording 2023
Watch the Resources to Boost Innovation and Competitiveness for US Manufacturers webinar recording from October 26, 2023. This webinar was an intimate and enlightening conversation with three advanced technology manufacturers that have leveraged manufacturing innovation institutes and federal resources to achieve international sales success.
Manufacturing Month Webinar Recording 2022
Reframe Your Export Game – How Video Marketing is Getting More Eyes on U.S. Manufacturers: Looking to build your bottom line through new export sales? This webinar featured accomplished small business manufacturers sharing insight that can help you grow your company’s international sales. This webinar also featured trade experts to provide an overview of federal government tools, resources, and services available to support U.S. companies of all sizes. You also heard from manufacturers who are successful exporters and how they are using video marketing strategies to promote their products.
Manufacturing Month Webinar Recordings 2021
Hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses — including numerous small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) — from around the country tuned in every Thursday starting September 30th, 2021, to hear about federal agency programs and learn from businesses leaders that have used them to find new international markets, get access to capital, and build more resilient supply chain operations.
- Manufacturing Day Celebration: This webinar celebrating Manufacturing Day featured a panel discussion with three small businesses that have effectively tapped federal government export assistance to achieve global market success. It also included an overview of federal resources available to assist U.S. manufacturers as they begin or expand exporting their products.
- Early-Stage Manufacturers: The goal of this webinar was to explore the idea phase, commercialization path, and global growth journey of early-stage manufacturers. It featured two innovative small businesses that have effectively tapped federal government resources in their journey from start-up to becoming successful in the global marketplace.
- Trade Finance Tools: An expert panel discussed financial challenges and solutions available to U.S. manufacturers. Topics included working capital strategies to fulfill sales orders and export credit insurance as a tool to protect against buyer nonpayment and offer favorable credit terms.
- Supply Chain Solutions: This webinar featured a discussion facilitated by the MEP on supply chain solutions for SMMs. Seasoned manufacturers and supply chain experts discussed how to improve operations, reduce costs, and mitigate risk through effective supply chain management. The webinar also featured speakers from the National Economic Council and SBA on the administration’s manufacturing agenda and the SBA’s new Manufacturing Hub office, respectively.
- Celebrando el Mes de Fabricantes: This Spanish-language webinar featured manufacturers sharing their export success stories and an overview of federal export promotion resources available to U.S. small business exporters.
Manufacturer Makes $3.2 Million Export Sale and Hires More Skilled Laborers
After receiving in-depth export counseling from the U.S. Commercial Service, ALKAR felt confident about returning to the Mexican market and closed a deal with the Mexican firm worth $3.2 million. ALKAR hired several skilled laborers to support the new exports to Mexico.
Read Alkar’s Story
Automotive Textile Producer Driven to Succeed in India
U.S. Commercial Service offices in India and Columbia, South Carolina launched a regional International Partner Search to identify Indian firms that were interested in purchasing American Foam and Fabric’s (AFF) products. The U.S. Commercial Service team then arranged several virtual meetings between AFF and these potential Indian partners.
Read AFF’s Story
Crary Industries Reels in Brazilian Business Partner
With the help of an International Partner Search (IPS) and virtual appointments, Crary reached out to thirteen different Brazilian potential partners to gather feedback and seek partners that could represent Crary’s equipment in the Brazilian market.
Read Crary’s Story
