Wisconsin Data Points for Manufacturing Day Print
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Written by Priorities Wisconsin, Cassidy Geoghegan   
Thursday, 03 October 2019 09:43

wisc-dairy-farmWisconsinites are struggling under Trump’s trade war, and a number of Wisconsin manufacturing leaders are considering shifting production overseas as a result of it.


MADISON - Ahead of Manufacturing Day, happening tomorrow, October 4, I wanted to pass along some data points that help tell the story of what is happening in Wisconsin’s manufacturing sector. Despite Trump’s claim at a rally in Green Bay that he “found the magic wand” to bring back manufacturing jobs, a new survey of U.S. manufacturing showed Trump’s trade war is contributing to a manufacturing downturn the likes of which haven’t been seen since the Great Recession.

The truth is, Wisconsinites are struggling under Trump’s trade war -- thousands have lost their manufacturing jobs and companies are having to consider shifting production overseas, leading experts to say that Trump is heading into reelection in a manufacturing recession.

So as we celebrate the hard work of Wisconsin manufacturers, we think it’s important to acknowledge how Trump has let down Wisconsin factory workers:

  • Wisconsin had the second highest number of manufacturing job losses of any state in the past year, losing over 5,000 jobs, despite Trump's claims that "assembly lines are roaring."

  • Ten Wisconsin counties that Trump won in 2016 have experienced manufacturing job losses during his presidency. These are the workers that Trump promised to fight for and the jobs he promised to protect.

  • Two Wisconsin counties that Trump won in 2016 – Trempealeau and Rusk County – had the highest percentage declines in manufacturing jobs in the state during Trump’s presidency.

  • While Tramontina USA announced it would end manufacturing operations at Tramontina U.S. Cookware in Manitowoc causing 145 Wisconsin workers to lose their jobs, the company announced it was expanding its presence in Brazil.

A number of Wisconsin manufacturing leaders are even saying they’ve considered shifting production overseas as a result of Trump’s tariffs:

  • CFO Of Sheboygan Manufacturer The Vollrath Co.: “These tariffs are now forcing us to aggressively look at foreign sources and potential acquisitions abroad,” as domestic suppliers were raising prices too high.

  • Wisconsin Cookware Manufacturer Regal Ware said Trump’s tariffs put about 50 jobs at risk and forced the company to “explore the possibility of manufacturing some of our product overseas.”

  • Waukesha Metal Products said that many of its largest customers asked that it move production to Mexico, where it already has a plant, to get lower material costs.

  • HUSCO International, a Waukesha manufacturer of vehicle and construction parts, said that outsourcing production was “on the table” as a result of Trump’s tariffs.

If you want to talk through any of this, let me know. Happy to jump on the phone to provide additional information or comment.

Cassidy Geoghegan
Priorities Wisconsin Outreach Director