Women in International Trade

Manufacturing and Services - Detailed
Sharron Cook

Providence has it that I've been sent on a temporary four-month assignment (or what is known in Commerce as a "detail") to the International Trade Administration's (ITA) newest office - the Office of Manufacturing and Services (MAS). As the new Editor of the Women in International Trade's (WIIT) Newsletter, I thought it might be interesting for you to come along with me in this journey to the unknown and experience with me what it is like to work in MAS. So let's go exploring!

The first thing I did to research MAS was to download the organization chart from ITA's webpage, here's a link so you can have a look too. I found out that Assistant Secretary Al Frink, who brings 30 years of private-sector experience to his new position, manages MAS. As a small business executive, Frink built an internationally recognized carpet manufacturing company, Fabrica International, a carpet manufacturer from Orange County, Calif. I also discovered that MAS is organized into three main offices: Office of Manufacturing, Office of Industry Analysis, and Office of Services. I've been assigned to the Office of Manufacturing, which is comprised of industry sector offices: Office of Energy and Environmental Industries, Office of Materials and Machinery, Office of Aerospace and Automotive Industries, Office of Technology and Electronic Commerce, and Office of Health and Consumer Goods. Another of the three main offices of MAS, the Office of Industry Analysis, is comprised of three offices: Office of Trade Policy Analysis, Office of Economic Analysis, and Office of Trade and Industry Information. The last of the three main offices of MAS, the Office of Services, is comprised of three offices: Office of Tourism, Office of Finance, and Office of Service Industries. MAS has only been in existence for about one year, and owes its humble beginnings to President Bush's commitment to strengthen American manufacturing.

Back in 2003, President Bush ordered a comprehensive review of the U.S. manufacturing sector. It was named the Manufacturing Initiative. The initiative organized numerous public roundtables through the country to find out from American manufacturers how the government could help them compete. As a result of the roundtables, in 2004, a series of recommendations was drafted in a report entitled "Manufacturing in America - A Comprehensive Strategy to Address the Challenges to U.S. Manufacturers." One of the recommendations was to have a greater focus within the federal government on manufacturing competitiveness, including the creation of an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services. It would be MAS's job to drive the Manufacturing Initiative forward address issues critical to manufacturing. You can learn more about the Manufacturing Initiative or view/download the Manufacturing Report at http://www.manufacturing.gov. Thus the birth of MAS, but what do people in MAS do to help manufacturers to be more competitive?

It took me a while to learn exactly what the people in MAS do to help industry, but it was worth all the digging to uncover the buried treasure I found. In fact, after a while, I was overwhelmed with the daily discoveries of all that MAS does to help industry be more competitive. Thus far in my short time here I've discovered that MAS does quite a bit of economic analysis on industry sectors and provides this data to private and public entities. This analysis includes conducting industry and cross-sectoral analysis so as to facilitate decisions on USG trade, economic, regulatory, and international and domestic policy issues. MAS also uses its industry analysis capabilities to evaluate and measure the impact of trade agreements, legislation, and strategies on industry sectors, including the impact on employment. In addition, MAS works with industry trade associations, individual companies, Industry Trade Advisory Committees, and other government agencies, to identify domestic actions taken by the USG that are affecting the competitiveness of an industry both domestically and internationally. However, the most important thing MAS does, in my view, is to ensure that industry views on international and domestic policy is collected, assessed, and voiced to policy makers. It also uses its knowledge of the industries and its concerns when it assists in trade negotiations. Of course, I can't describe all the activities MAS is involved with, because everyday of my temporary assignment I learn something new that MAS does to help U.S. industry, but these activities give you a good idea of what it does. Now that you know what MAS does, you may be wondering how can you tap into this treasure chest of goodies.

There are many ways to interact with MAS. MAS sends out staff on field assignments throughout the year in order to place industry specialists in the field where their industry sector is congregated, e.g., automotive specialist in Detroit. While there, the Specialist meets with individual companies or conducts industry meetings to discuss current issues affecting trade, exporting, competitiveness, or some other related topic. The MAS website is another good place to start tapping into the resources available to you, the address is WWW.ITA.DOC.GOV/MAS. The website is loaded with industry analysis, trade events, and contact information. You could also get involved by participating on an industrial sector specific committee via the Industry Trade Advisory Center (ITAC). ITAC is a unique public-private partnership jointly managed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of United States Trade Representative that engages business leaders in formulating U.S. trade policy. The web address for the ITAC is http://www.ita.doc.gov/itac/. However, the simplest way to connect with MAS is to call and speak to an industry specialist. Many of the industry offices have newsletters or e-mail lists to alert people about events, opportunities, issues, and trade policy. I've provided a list of the offices and their phone numbers below.

I've enjoyed my detail to MAS, and hope you've enjoyed experiencing a little of it through this article. My hope is that this article has provided you with enough information about MAS to assist you in your international trade endeavors. As Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services Al Frink has said, "American manufacturers are a cornerstone of the American economy and embody the best in American values. They enhance U.S. competitiveness while improving lives domestically and internationally." Let's help build the U.S. economy together to make it a secure and thriving nation.

Manufacturing and Services Office Phone Numbers

Aerospace and Automotive Industries
202-482-0554

Competition and Economic Analysis
202-482-5145

Energy and Environmental Industries
202-482-5225

Office of Finance
202-482-3277

Health and Consumer Goods
202-482-2470

Materials and Machinery
202-482-0575

Service Industries
202-482-3575

Technology and Electronic Commerce
202-482-0216

Travel and Tourism
202-482-0140

Trade and Industry Information
202-482-4691

Trade Policy Analysis
202-482-5675/5947