CACI kicks off campaign to improve Colorado manufacturing.

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 20, 1995--CACI, the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, Monday kicked off a state-wide campaign to increase the role of manufacturing in the Colorado economy while creating a "manufacturing-friendly environment."

George F. Dibble, president and chief executive of CACI, the state's largest multi-industry organization, said the campaign will tie in with two milestones - the 30th anniversary of CACI's founding and the 100th anniversary of the creation of the National Association of Manufacturers.

"The N.A.M. will be telling the extraordinary story of the growth and revitalization of American manufacturing in television commericals, newspaper and radio advertising. At the same time, CACI will be telling the story of manufacturing to Colorado legislators, church and civic groups, educators and opinion leaders.

"The story of American manufacturing is dramatic. In less than 20 years, American manufacturing has bounced back from obsolescence to leadership. We're going to remind people that less than 20 years ago the public perception was, as the Wall Street Journal put it, 'American cars were out of date, American-made household products were being washed away on a seductive tide of Japanese-made videocassette recorders, televisions and portable cassett players, American steel was too expensive.' Now, American manufacturers have seized world leadership. There's been an extraordinary resurgence of quality. Productivity has improved. Exports are growing. Manufacturing is making a major contribution to the gross national product."

Dibble warned that Colorado is falling behind in manufacturing. In Colorado only 10% of personal income is derived from manufacturing, he said, while the national average is 13%.

"Given our superior quality of life, our educated workforce and our geographical location - center of the United States, mid-point of NAFTA and mid-point between Europe and the Pacific Rim - we can not only catch up with the national average, we can surpass it."

Dibble, accompanied by Kay Clark, president of Alliance-Tech Industries, Englewood, Colo., and Harold Smethills, a former top executive at Adolph Coors Co. and ACX Technologies and now a private investor and venture capitalist (both leaders of CACI's Manufacturers Council), met with Gov. Roy Romer last week.

"We made these points to Gov. Romer and we'll be making these same points to Colorado's citizens in an ambitious information campaign:

o Forget about that image of smokestacks belching pollutants. Colorado manufacturers are environmentally sensitive and responsible. And, environmental technology continues to make sharp advances.

o Forget about that image of grease-stained workers lugging lunch pails. Today's manufacturing worker is highly skilled, computer savvy and a creative, motivated team member.

o Forget about low-pay and minimal benefits. Manufacturing workers average 15% more in wages than jobs elsewhere in the economy. Manufacturers have an exceptional record of providing health benefits. A recent survey indicated that 97% of N.A.M. member firms offer workplace coverage.

o Forget about the word "dumb." Manufacturers realize that today's competition is worldwide. Manufacturing employees now receive "world-class" education and training from their employers who offer any number of incentives to stimulate continuing education."

Dibble said: "We should keep in mind that manufacturing jobs are stable. The "think tank" can pack up its computers and move to another climate, but the manufacturer, with a huge investment in plant and equipment has a tendency to remain rooted in the community."

The CACI executive said the public relations/government relations firm, Freeman/Mullins Group, has been retained to spearhead the manufacturing information drive in Colorado.

The firm is headed by Gerald Freeman and Sharon Kent Freeman, veteran public relations counselors, and John Mullins, formerly special assistant to Gov. Romer in charge of economic development.

Mullins said he will be meeting with economic development directors throughout the state to solidify educational campaigns concerning manufacturing.

"We're going to show economic developers that attracting new manufacturers to move to Colorado and assisting manufacturers who are already here is in the very best interest of their communities," said Mullins.

Gerald Freeman said: "We are now assembling a speakers bureau composed of manufacturers, both large and small, who will make themselves available to groups throughout Colorado in order to provide them with first-hand information on manufacturing."

Dibble said the program presented by CACI to Gov. Romer included a request that the state's Office of Economic Development devote at least 10 of its 35 staff members to issues involving manufacturing.

He also asked for a regulatory environment that promotes the growth of manufacturing jobs; increased state funding for the Colorado FIRST and existing industry training programs; a commitment by state government to educate the public on the importance of manufacturing and a revamping of the educational system to effectively train workers for modern manufacturing methods.

CONTACT: Gerry Freeman, 303/232-3870

George Dibble, 303/831-7411