Governor McCrory Highlights North Carolina-Made Products During Manufacturing Day Tour

Press Release

Governor Pat McCrory is visiting factories across the state to highlight North Carolina-made products as part of Manufacturing Day.

The Governor kicked off the tour this morning in Dunn with a visit to Godwin Manufacturing Company which makes truck components, including those used by the state Department of Transportation.

The governor, N.C. Secretary of Commerce Sharon Decker, N.C. Community College System President Scott Ralls and NCDOT Deputy Secretary Nick Tennyson held a meeting with Godwin Group officials at the facility. After the meeting, Governor McCrory presented Godwin Group President Pat Godwin Jr. with a "Manufacturing Day" proclamation. The group then took a facility tour of the truck equipment manufacturer.

"Manufacturing employs 442,500 North Carolinians," said Governor McCrory. "Today, we are letting the world know that North Carolina has the skilled workforce to produce quality products at a competitive price. North Carolina has always valued people and companies that make things. Manufacturing is part of our culture and crucial to the future of our economy."

There are 10,360 manufacturing establishments throughout the state. The North Carolina Commerce Department reports that a dollar spent in manufacturing creates $1.79 of economic activity for the economy. The companies visited on today's tour represent not only manufacturing, but advanced manufacturing in North Carolina.

"North Carolina is a leader in the southeast and in the nation when it comes to manufacturing," said Sharon Decker, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Commerce. "We have been recognized as having the most productive workforce of the top manufacturing states, so we are continuing to attract new manufacturing companies as well as the expansion of companies that already have a presence here. It is an important point when we are talking to industries about locating in North Carolina."

Governor McCrory will continue the manufacturing tour with Secretary Decker and President Ralls for a jobs announcement by a Greenville-based manufacturer. The day ends in Clemmons with a tour of Triumph Actuation Systems. Governor McCrory, President Ralls and Secretary Decker will address employees and other officials after a meeting with company officials.

Governor McCrory, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, NCWorks, the University of North Carolina system, North Carolina Community Colleges and the Department of Public Instruction are committed to producing highly skilled, advanced manufacturing workers now and in the future to meet employers' needs.

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