Sand in the Gears: How Public Policy Has Crippled American Manufacturing - Hardcover

Smith, Andrew O.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1612345883 ISBN 13: 9781612345888

Publisher: Potomac Books, Inc., 2013

Synopsis

In Sand in the Gears, Andrew Smith argues that the US lost manufacturing not to forces beyond its control, such as globalisation and cheaper labour overseas, but as the result of misguided policies that are well within its abilities to reform for the benefit of manufacturing. Examining six areas of public policy―the tax system, health care, the legal system, workers' compensation, government regulations, and labour policy―Smith demonstrates that in each of these areas, the current policy choices have created a hostile environment for manufacturing.

About this title

Review:

"Sand in the Gears brilliantly captures how government policies have been destroying manufacturing jobs for more than three decades and makes a clear case for what people really need from their elected leaders. Andrew O. Smith's proposals for a 'New Social Compact' are sweeping, audacious, and smart. This book should set the terms of debate for how to put America back to work."--Frank I. Luntz, political strategist and author of Win: The Key Principles to Take Your Business from Ordinary to Extraordinary--Frank I. Luntz

"Andrew O. Smith provides an interesting new perspective on the decline of American manufacturing with compelling arguments and powerful suggestions for how to fix this important segment of our economy. A must read for anyone working to make our manufacturing sector stronger again and all who care about our great country."--Christopher M. Connor, chairman and CEO, Sherwin-Williams--Christopher M. Connor

"Sand in the Gears clearly explains the public policy challenges facing manufacturers--and how these challenges have held back manufacturing job growth over the past few decades. In this thought-provoking analysis, Andrew O. Smith underscores the critical need for policies that will help manufacturers create high-paying jobs and drive economic growth."--Jay Timmons, president and CEO, National Association of Manufacturers--Jay Timmons

"Tackling the timely and important question of how America can improve manufacturing competitiveness, Andrew O. Smith persuasively demonstrates that government policies have driven the decline in U.S. manufacturing. Sand in the Gears is not a diatribe against government regulations or welfare policy, but a thoughtful critique with creative proposals to energize manufacturing and achieve social policy objectives without strangling businesses or thwarting innovation."--Donald Sull, professor of management practice in strategy and entrepreneurship, London Business School, and author of The Upside of Turbulence: Seizing Opportunity in an Uncertain World--Donald Sull

About the Author:

ANDREW O. SMITH is a manufacturing executive and former consultant for Booz Allen Hamilton with a long-standing interest in economic policy. As chief operating officer of the Yenkin-Majestic Paint Corporation, one of the largest independent paint companies in the United States, he has firsthand experience running a diverse chemical manufacturing company. Smith earned an engineering degree from the School of Engineering and Applied Science and a finance degree from the Wharton School, both at the University of Pennsylvania. He also earned a JD and an MBA from the University of Chicago. He lives in Columbus, Ohio.

About this edition

• Publisher: Potomac Books, Inc.
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1612345883
• ISBN 13: 9781612345888
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 320