The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1895. The United States was in the midst of a deep recession, and many of the nation’s manufacturers saw a strong need to export their products in other countries. One of the NAM’s earliest efforts was to call for the creation of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The NAM also helped launch the National Council of Commerce, which later became the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
In the 1930s, the NAM launched its first public relations campaign for the “dissemination of sound American doctrines to the public.” Over a 13-year period, the NAM spent more than $15 million to inform the public about the vital role manufacturing plays in the U.S. economy. These efforts included movie shorts, leaflets, radio speeches, films for schools and a daily NAM column that appeared in 260 newspapers nationwide.
Today, The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.17 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of all private-sector research and development in the nation. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States.
The NAM’s world-class staff of policy experts provide unmatched access and information on the key issues affecting the business and bottom line. They are on the front lines of a wide range of policy battles, from immigration reform and labor relations, to energy and the environment, to trade policy and taxes. At every turn, they are working on behalf of manufacturers in America to advance policies that help manufacturers do what they do best: create economic strength and jobs.