WASHINGTON - According to the quarterly survey by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and IndustryWeek released today, rising health care and insurance costs is manufacturers’ top concern followed closely by political uncertainty and the unfavorable business climate. Manufacturers in the wood products and other industries overwhelmingly support comprehensive immigration reform at 68.4 percent, which explains manufacturing’s advocacy efforts in the current debate in Washington. More than three-fourths of survey respondents said that foreign-born workers are an integral part of the production process.

“During the election last year, all eyes were on manufacturing, and now we have entered a pivotal year for manufacturers as they try to grow and create jobs to lead our economy,” says NAM chief economist Chad Moutray. “This quarter’s survey shows manufacturers need action to address their concerns over rising health care costs, the political climate and taxes and regulation.

"It is difficult for manufacturers to gain the certainty needed to hire when Washington continues to move from one crisis to the next with no real solutions to our long-term fiscal problems," Moutray added. "For us to see strong manufacturing growth in 2013, we need pro-growth policies from Washington to address these challenges to get our entire economy running on all cylinders.”