From: Whipple, Deb (GOV)
Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2010
4:30 PM
Subject: What the governor is talking about today
What the Governor’s Talking about
Today
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Governor Says Advanced Manufacturing
Requires Collaborative Approach among Business, Labor,
Government
The governor today said that a collaborative
approach among business, labor and government is needed for advanced
manufacturing to stay and grow in Michigan and the United
States.
“The auto industry is growing stronger again, and the work
of the Obama administration, the auto companies and the UAW is paying off,” the
governor said. “All of this is happening because the auto companies, labor
and government are working together to find mutually-beneficial solutions and
innovative approaches to moving the industry forward.”
The governor
made her remarks at the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) Management Briefing
Seminar in Traverse City where top officials from global automakers and
suppliers are meeting this week.
She said new leadership in the
American auto industry has companies making major new investments in advanced
batteries, electric vehicles and green chemistry and that the UAW is now a key
partner on employee training, lean processes and first-rate
quality.
“The essential third partner with business and labor is
government,” the governor said. “Government at all levels, from federal to
state to local, has a role to play. Government must help make the business
case to companies why Michigan and the United States are where they need to
be.”
“We have come too far from the GM and Chrysler bankruptcies of
just over a year ago to risk stumbling and falling back,” the governor
said. “Strong partnerships among government, business and labor are
clearly the way forward.”
After the governor finished speaking, CAR
and members of its affiliates program presented her with a special award for her
contributions to the automotive industry.
The award recognizes the governor for her work
during the automotive crisis; her role in securing federal support for the
industry from the Bush and Obama administrations; her leadership in securing and
growing Michigan’s automotive research, development and manufacturing endowment;
and her vision in bringing the next generation of automotive technology and
advanced energy storage businesses to the state.
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