The monthly roundup from Editor-in-Chief Susan Sutton.
According to the World
Economic Forum, Switzerland passed the U.S. to gain the top spot in the
recently released
Global Competitiveness Report
2009-2010. The report ranks
countries based on 12 criteria, such as Labor Market Efficiency, Financial
Market Sophistication, Technological Readiness, Business Sophistication, and
Innovation. Factors that influenced the U.S. dip to the number-two spot
included “concerns on the part of the business community about the government’s
ability to maintain arms-length relationships with the private sector, and in
the perception that the government spends its resources wastefully.”*
The timing is apropos, as the challenges continue for ceramic and glass
decorators that are trying to remain competitive despite multiple and
increasing government regulations. Several pieces of new legislation are in the
works that could make it even tougher. See “Industry Regulation Heats Up,” pp.
11-12, for additional details.
It’s too early to tell if the recent appointment of Ron Bloom as the Obama
administration’s senior counselor for Manufacturing Policy will have a positive
impact on the state of U.S.
manufacturing. But despite economic trends or government policies, one thing is
certain-manufacturers in the ceramic, glass and related industries will
continue to work to increase their competitiveness.
*Additional details regarding the
Global Competitiveness Report are available at
www.weforum.org.
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