Dr. Stephanie Burns outlines plan to increase manufacturing, jobs, exports in Senate testimony
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dow Corning Chairman Stephanie A. Burns presented a policy framework focused on addressing the world’s megatrends as a way to improve manufacturing, exports, and job creation in America in testimony today before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in Washington, D.C.
“Innovative, flexible, strong, courageous and collaborative public-private partnerships can lead to a recovery that creates engaging, well-paying, worthwhile work for Americans, as well as exports that serve the increasing demand of our global neighbors for products that enhance their quality of life”
“We need to study the megatrends that will shape the world economy and humankind in the decades to come, and then unleash our innovators to find the products and solutions that will meet the needs and challenges they pose,” said Dr. Burns.
In her remarks, Dr. Burns addressed many of the manufacturing, legislative, regulatory and workforce-related factors that influence America’s ability to develop a thriving advanced manufacturing base, which she said could increase exports, reduce trade deficits, and strengthen America’s competitiveness in a rapidly changing global marketplace.
“We know that the power of a vibrant manufacturing sector is critical to maintaining and enhancing the quality of life in our nation,” she said. “We know that forward-looking government policies are essential to encouraging innovative, eyes-on-the-future companies to take the risks necessary for success.”
A member of the President’s Export Council, Dr. Burns used Dow Corning as an example of the role a vibrant manufacturer in America can play in satisfying the long-term trends that are shaping the world, such as energy scarcity and the need for clean and domestically-generated energy solutions, rapid urbanization of the developing world, and aging populations and the corresponding challenges related to the provision of health care.
“I’m sure other companies are exploring these and other megatrends through the lenses of their competencies and business plans,” she said. “And I am also sure that companies that play into—and not resist—these trends will be the jobs engines of the coming decades. If the United States is to maintain its global economic leadership it must strive to be home to these kinds of companies and industries…these innovators. To be sure, that means having a competitive corporate tax structure and regulatory regime, as well as incentives for investment in innovation and growth. But, it also means having smart, forward-looking policies that invite investment from manufacturers poised to meet changing global demand.”
Dow Corning is one of the world’s leading providers of silicon-based materials that enhance the products in industries such as clean energy, automobile production, personal care products, construction, electronics, and health care technologies.
“We are seeing record growth, we are exporting, and we are creating jobs,” she said. “We have achieved that growth in part because we believe that you only can export what customers around the world want to buy — and, to sustain this growth, we know that we must not simply cater to the markets of today… we must also anticipate the shape and demands of the global marketplace of tomorrow.”
Dr. Burns also applauded the efforts of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education Coalition for its work in supporting training for teachers and students to develop an American workforce that can compete in the global marketplace.
She also encouraged Congress and the Obama Administration to enact federal policies and regulations that will increase domestic consumer demand for renewable energy, energy efficiency products and the manufacturing of those products in the United States.
In 2009, Dow Corning proposed a plan for accelerating America’s adoption of solar energy that called for:
“Innovative, flexible, strong, courageous and collaborative public-private partnerships can lead to a recovery that creates engaging, well-paying, worthwhile work for Americans, as well as exports that serve the increasing demand of our global neighbors for products that enhance their quality of life,” Dr. Burns said.
About Dow Corning
Dow Corning (www.dowcorning.com) provides performance-enhancing solutions to serve the diverse needs of more than 25,000 customers worldwide. A global leader in silicones, silicon-based technology and innovation, Dow Corning offers more than 7,000 products and services via the company’s Dow Corning® and XIAMETER® brands. Dow Corning is equally owned by The Dow Chemical Company and Corning, Incorporated. More than half of Dow Corning’s annual sales are outside the United States.
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