An investigation of the programs and policies countries around the world have implemented to boost the productivity, innovation, and competitiveness of SME manufacturers.

International Benchmarking of Countries’ Policies and Programs Supporting SME Manufacturers

International Benchmarking of Countries' Policies and Programs Supporting SME Manufacturers

Congress and the administration should align to increase the Manufacturing Extension Partnership’s annual funding to at least $200 million annually.

To Do: Increase Funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership

Congress should create tax credits for SMEs and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to encourage investment in SME and supplier digitalization. 

To Do: Create Tax Credits for SME and Supplier Digitalization

Congress should create a “U.S. Manufacturing Digitalization Investment Fund” that would provide repayable, low-interest loans to American SME manufacturers to help finance upfront investment in digital manufacturing technologies and solutions.

To Do: Provide Loans to SME Manufacturers to Help Finance Digitalization

Stephen Ezell presented to the Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) annual conference on how digitalization is transforming modern manufacturing and what policies are needed to support it.

How Digitalization Is Transforming Manufacturing

Congress should quadruple the budget for the Energy Department’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) to fund SME digital upgrading.

To Do: Quadruple the Budget for the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains

The administration should direct the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) to develop more interstate, sector-based initiatives, since supply chains cross state boundaries.

To Do: Develop Interstate, Sector-Based Manufacturing Initiatives

ITIF commends the Trump administration for working to develop an up-to-date, coherent National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing. The success of this effort will be vital to enhancing the global competitiveness of U.S. advanced manufacturing over the coming decade.

Comments to Office of Science and Technology Policy Regarding a Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing

Helping SME manufacturers adopt digital technologies will boost productivity, expand output, and allow them to simultaneously raise wages, compete in global markets, and be more flexible in their production processes.

To Do: Provide Assessment Tools to Help SME Manufacturers Digitize

Recommendation

Details

Editors’ Recommendations

Policy Recommendations to Stimulate U.S. Manufacturing Innovation

Related

International Benchmarking of Countries’ Policies and Programs Supporting SME Manufacturers

To Do: Increase Funding for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership

To Do: Create Tax Credits for SME and Supplier Digitalization