October 2, 2015

Tallahassee, Fla. – Associated Industries of Florida (AIF), the Florida affiliation of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), today joins NAM, the Manufacturing Institute, the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, and the International and U.S. Department of Commerce, as well as thousands of manufacturers across the country, in celebrating Manufacturing Day 2015. Manufacturing Day is a celebration of modern manufacturing in order to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. There are 168 events planned around the State of Florida. For more information and to find planned events, please visit MFGDay.com.

“As an association focused on helping Florida grow, we are excited to join NAM and the other national partners in celebrating Manufacturing Day 2015,” said Tom Feeney, president and CEO of AIF.  “Manufacturers play a huge role in helping to grow and strengthen our economy.  In Florida, manufacturers account for nearly 5 percent of the total output of the state and employ approximately 4.2 percent of the workforce.  With small businesses comprising about 95.4 percent of exporters in our state, manufacturers truly help to create jobs and add to positive economy activity in Florida.”

“Manufacturing opens doors of opportunity for everyone,” said Jay Timmons, president and CEO of NAM. “There are so many eager young people across the country seeking rewarding and exciting careers—and manufacturing delivers that path every day. Manufacturing Day invites everyone to see and experience firsthand how we dream, build and make our future.”

Known as “The Voice of Florida Business” in the Sunshine State, AIF has represented the principles of prosperity and free enterprise before the three branches of state government since 1920. A voluntary association of diversified businesses, AIF was created to foster an economic climate in Florida conducive to the growth, development, and welfare of industry and business and the people of the state.

For more information on AIF, please visit AIF.com and follow @VoiceofFLBiz.

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