McLean, VA-AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology announced today that it is joining forces with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) to promote the importance of manufacturing and innovation in the U.S. economy. This historic partnership will bring the organizations together in support of the premier manufacturing technology show in the Americas – IMTS 2010 – The International Manufacturing Technology Show, sponsored by AMT and held at Chicago’s McCormick Place, September 13-18, 2010.

“AMT and NAM are two of the most important voices in the world of manufacturing today,” says Douglas K. Woods, President of AMT. “Collectively, our members represent every stage of the production process-from the mind of the design engineer to the shop and factory floor to the global marketplace. Together, we want to underscore the importance of a strong manufacturing sector to long-term economic growth and national security. IMTS 2010 – the most important manufacturing event in America – is an ideal launching pad for our industry partnership.”

NAM’s President and CEO John Engler will give a keynote address in the Emerging Technology Center on day two of IMTS, September 14, 2010. Engler will highlight how investment in innovation, technology and technical skills are critical to a strong U.S. manufacturing sector. The former governor of Michigan also will provide insights on how the U.S. and states can create an economic climate that encourages innovation.

“We are pleased to partner with AMT on IMTS 2010, where companies will see the latest breakthroughs in manufacturing technology. Innovation along with research and development has long helped manufacturing in the United States maintain its global leadership,” says Engler. “But while we continue to stand strong as the number one manufacturing economy in the world, we face strong competition from other countries. We’ve recently released “A Manufacturing Strategy for Jobs and a More Competitive America” which provides a vision and clear plan for what policies lawmakers can adopt and advocate in order to keep manufacturing successful and competitive in an ever growing global marketplace.”

This, coupled with AMT's Manufacturing Mandate calling for a federal policy of collaboration between government, industry and academia to place incentives on innovation and R&D in new products and manufacturing technologies; assure the availability of capital; increase global competitiveness; minimize structural cost burdens; and enhance and build a better educated and trained 'smartforce,' make a strong statement calling for action to support manufacturing.

IMTS 2010 is the place more than 92,000 industrial decision-makers come to get ideas and find answers to their manufacturing problems and challenges. From the more than 1,100 exhibits focusing on manufacturing technology to the IMTS Industry & Technology Conference and the NIMS Student Summit, IMTS is all about educating manufacturing professionals from all over the world.

“IMTS attendees repeatedly tell us that they come to the show to learn, to network and to find new resources and innovative manufacturing technology resources,” says Woods. “We are committing significant energy and resources to make the show, the conference and the Student Summit premier educational offerings available to the manufacturing industry.”