PRESIDENT ’ S VIEW
Made in New Jersey : National Manufacturing Day Conference Honors Our “ Unsung Frontline Heroes ”
The COVID‐19 pandemic highlighted the importance of the industry and the need for a strong supply chain .
By Anthony Russo President , CIANJ
The annual conference celebrating
National Manufacturing Day had added significance this year due to the critical role the industry is playing fighting the COVID‐19 pandemic . Governor Phil Murphy heaped praise on New Jersey ’ s manufacturers , calling them “ unsung frontline heroes .” He believes the state ’ s skilled manufacturing base will enable the Garden State to emerge strong and create a resilient economy for the future .
Murphy was invited to address the day-long conference by John W . Kennedy , CEO of the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program ( NJMEP ), its host . NJMEP is a private , not-for-profit that works to improve the competitiveness and profitability of the state ’ s 11,000 manufacturers .
For the past eight years , Kennedy has kicked off the event in a packed conference center , but the health and safety restrictions imposed to reduce the spread of COVID‐19 forced it into the virtual realm this year . Still , more than 500 companies and upwards of 1,000 people registered for the annual first Friday in October event . They included not only manufacturers , but banks , insurance companies , attorneys , accountants and other consultants who work with and support the industry .
The Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey ( CIANJ ) was proud to be named by Kennedy as one of the business groups with which he partners . While NJMEP ’ s primary mission sends its staff into the plants to assess and improve operations , CIANJ lends a hand as an industry advocate with lawmakers in Trenton and Washington , D . C .
From the onset of the pandemic , manufacturers were recognized as essential workers . “ They quietly went to work and stayed at work . It wasn ’ t an easy thing but they did it ,” Kennedy said , underscoring that medical supplies , food , gasoline , electrical power , treated water and so many other goods would not have been available without manufacturers ’ efforts .
Rep . Josh Gottheimer , whose District 5 includes parts of Bergen , Passaic , Sussex and Warren counties , said the pandemic taught us that manufacturers are the “ backbone of the economy ” and a strong U . S . supply chain is key . He pledged to work to strengthen the domestic supply chain . “ I hope we are smart enough to address it quickly ,” he said .
Kennedy explained the efforts are already underway . He said $ 1.25 million was secured through the Cares Act for pandemic relief . It funded assessments of 1,000 manufacturers , examining their immediate needs and helping them to retool and become nimbler during a health crisis .
There are also increased efforts through , “ Project 160 ” to develop a new pipeline of workers using apprenticeships and credentialing programs in higher education , according to Kennedy . He said urban centers , such as Trenton , Newark , Paterson and Camden are the targets of this initiative .
Manufacturers ’ needs have come to the forefront since New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney created a special manufacturing caucus several years ago . He recognized that manufacturing represents 8.5 percent of the
The Garden State is home to some 11,000 manufacturers .
state ’ s economy . “ We have to ensure manufacturers grow and thrive ,” he told the conference attendees .
Democrat Sen . Linda Greenstein co-chairs the caucus with Republican Sen . Steve Oroho . It includes members of both parties and both houses in the legislature . Virtual roundtables were convened when the pandemic struck , resulting in legislation being drafted to create a permanent stockpile of PPEs ( personal protection equipment ).
NJMEP was so proud of the vital role played by manufacturing that it collaborated on a manufacturing anthem . “ Unsung Heroes ,” written and produced by Andre Saint and Andrew White was an immediate hit when the music video was played at the National Manufacturing Day event . Andrew is the brother of Sally White , the director of business development at NJMEP .
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