MAPI, originally known as the Machinery and Allied Products Institute, has assembled some talking points about the state of modern manufacturing and some key issues which face it.  Related data points are given as well as links to more extensive information.  The talking points are designed to be helpful to company executives wishing to succinctly articulate the current condition of manufacturing, why it is important to the U.S. economy, and some of its key challenges. http://www.mapi.net/Issues%20in%20Brief/E-526.pdf