Maryland 3.0: Shore Manufacturing Council launches “By Manufacturers, For Manufacturers”

The face of modern manufacturing is vastly different from the days of massive factories employing thousands of workers. Despite the differences manufacturing remains one of the most important sectors of the U.S. and global economies. In fact, in 2012 the total U.S. manufacturing totaled $1.2 trillion.

The residual effects of manufacturing are equally impressive. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, every dollar spent in manufacturing generates $1.48 in economic activity, which ranks higher than any other major economic sector.

Regionally the recognition of the importance of manufacturing has led to the reorganization of the Upper Shore Manufacturing and Business Council into a newly created 501(c)6 non-profit organization known as the Eastern Shore Manufacturing Council (ESMC). Under the leadership of Bill Barnes, former director of the University of Maryland Manufacturing Assistance Program (UMMAP), ESMC’s purpose is to train, support and grow manufacturers on the Eastern Shore, and to advance manufacturing and manufacturing issues at the local, regional, state and federal levels.

Over the next couple months the group will launch a membership drive to build the critical mass the Council needs to create more impact on decision makers. ESMC is seeking manufacturers who wish to provide input on the many important issues facing the regional manufacturing sector, including:

• Bringing training funds back into the region.
• Creating visibility to the existence and capabilities of our manufacturers.
• Leveraging its skills and capabilities to create new business opportunities.
• Working with educators to train qualified prospects and employees.
• Reducing the structural costs (regulation and taxes) imposed by our governments.
• Driving innovation to grow and increase our profitability.
• Positioning and preparing for the offshore wind maintenance parts supply chain.
• Driving support for its issues in the upcoming statewide elections.
• Having input into Maryland’s new manufacturing strategy being developed.

“We want to create impact for all of our manufacturers,” says Barnes. “The best way for us to do that is to engage our manufacturers directly with a by manufacturers, for manufacturers organization. I look forward to working with our Eastern Shore businesses in the coming months and years,” he adds.

The Board of Directors supporting ESMC includes: Board chairman Glenn McCormick, Hydrasearch Co., Inc., (Queen Anne’s County); James McNaughton, AHPharma Inc. (Wicomico County); Patrice Hambleton, Aphena Pharma Solutions (Talbot County); Dave Landsberger, Bel-Art Products, Inc. (Worcester County);

Tom Ross, Cambridge International (Dorchester County); Wayne Spurrier, Dixon Valve & Coupling Co. (Kent County); George N. Weeks III, Maryland Plastics, Inc. (Caroline County); and Tom Delaney, The Whalen Company (Talbot County).

For more information, contact Bill Barnes at (410) 770- 4701, email [email protected] or visit esmfg.org.

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