U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke issued a call to action on August 5 to revitalize the nation's manufacturing sector.
"A vibrant manufacturing sector isn't just critical for the millions of Americans whose jobs depend on it," Locke said as he appointed new members to the 2010 Manufacturing Council. "Manufacturing is absolutely central to driving the innovation that fuels the American economy."
Among the 24 manufacturing leaders appointed to the council was Michael Laszkiewicz, Rockwell Automation's vice president and general manager of the company's Power Control Business.
Laszkiewicz said the council's work comes at a critical moment for American manufacturers.
"Ten years from now global manufacturing will look nothing like it does today," Laszkiewicz said. "We hope that the federal government will join forces with American manufacturers to foster the next round of technological innovation that will create highly efficient smart factories."
Locke said the council will bring him ideas for ways the federal government can support manufacturing and exports.
Rockwell Automation, the world's largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 19,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.
