March 2, 1999

New Jersey Legislature and Largest Business Association Join U.S. Commerce Secretary in Recognizing Small Manufacturers

U.S. Secretary of Commerce William Daley has proclaimed 1999, the “Year of the Small Manufacturer” in recognition of the enormous contribution small manufacturers make to the nation’s economy. Joining in this sentiment are Manufacturing Extension Programs across the country and New Jersey’s State Legislature.

“Small manufacturers are critical to the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector and are vital to the U.S. economy,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Daley said. “We are proud the Manufacturing Extension Program, is playing a key role in helping these companies solve problems, increase productivity, and achieve higher profits.”

Assemblyman Joe Azzolina, Chairman of the Assembly Commerce Committee, and Senator Joseph M. Kyrillos, Senate Conference Leader, will be introducing resolutions declaring this November, as the “Month of the Small Manufacturer” to echo the Commerce Secretary’s declaration.

Senator Joe Kyrillos (R – Monmouth / Middlesex), who previously served as a Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, stated,

“What people don’t realize is that small manufacturers are the backbone of New Jersey’s high tech industries. These companies serve as the supply chain to the Lucents and AT&Ts and are a critical component to the continued growth of our economy. It is for this reason that I am urging my colleagues to join Secretary Daley and our State Assembly in recognizing November 1999 as the “Month of the Small Manufacturer”.”

Despite 10 years of declining employment where close to 300,000 jobs were lost, manufacturing sector’s contribution to New Jersey’s Gross State Product (GSP) slightly increased. The Federal Declaration of the “Year of the Small Manufacturer” and the State Resolution naming November 1999 the “Month of the Small Manufacturer”, is intended to highlight the fundamental economic contribution of small manufacturers.

Assemblyman Azzolina (R – Monmouth / Middlesex) stated,“ With just under 13,000 manufacturers in New Jersey, we rank ninth nationally in the number of manufacturing enterprises located within our borders. This translates into over a half a million well-paying jobs and a GSP of over 36 billion dollars annually. This is still a significant economic sector even though it has suffered in the last decade.”

The legislators’ comments were echoed by New Jersey largest business association, the New Jersey Business and Industry Association (NJBIA).

Joe Gonzalez, who serves as the President of NJBIA commented, “Small manufacturers really are America’s foundation and in many ways a key factor in America’s future. I join our Legislators and Secretary Daley in acknowledging the importance of this business sector.”

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