Industry Headlines

Small Manufacturers Applaud Obama Plan to Help Small Businesses Access Credit

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) and the National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA) have commended the Obama administration for taking steps to help small businesses access credit during the economic downturn. The administration’s measure will tap funds from the Troubled Assets Relief Program to inject capital into community banks, a move designed to spur lending as well as raise the borrowing cap for companies available through Small Business Administration loan programs.

Together, PMA and NTMA formed the "One Voice" partnership to advocate for the interests of small and medium manufacturers throughout the U.S.

In a recent One Voice survey of member companies, 67% of respondents called the credit situation at their company a serious or moderate problem; 68% said accessing credit to finance capital investment is a serious or moderate problem; and 58% said accessing credit needed for day-to-day operations was a serious or moderate problem.

"We appreciate the Obama administration’s active support to help ensure the survival of thousands of companies across the U.S. who have been plagued by ongoing difficulties accessing credit for their businesses," says NTMA Chief Operating Officer Rob Akers. "Many manufacturers-particularly small and medium-sized companies-have found out the hard way over the past several months that banks and other creditors with whom they had worked for years suddenly grew reluctant, and often simply unwilling, to offer them access to much needed capital."

"For months, One Voice has worked with members of Congress in the House and Senate, as well as key figures in the administration, to focus attention on the ongoing credit issues faced by small, middle-market manufacturers," says PMA President Bill Gaskin. "We are pleased that the administration has listened and is taking steps to address this problem, and we eagerly await the details of how the thousands of small businesses who sorely need access to capital can take advantage of this initiative."

For more information, visit www.metalworkingadvocate.org.

Did you enjoy this article? Click here to subscribe to Quality Magazine. 

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Multimedia

Videos

Podcasts

Bill Arbogast explains his perspective on quality, ISO 9001, and how to manage inevitable business changes.


Read: The 2013 Quality Professional of the Year

 
More Podcasts

THE MAGAZINE

Quality Magazine

magazine quality cover 2013 may audits

2013 May

Check out the May 2013 edition of Quality Magazine for features about Measurement, Software and Test & Inspection.
Table Of Contents Subscribe

Plant of the Year

Which is the most important factor in considering a Quality plant of the Year?
View Results Poll Archive

THE QUALITY MAGAZINE STORE

M:\General Shared\__AEC Store Katie Z\AEC Store\Images\Quality\prac-field-guide-for-iso.gif
A Practical Field Guide for ISO 9001:2008

The purpose of this field guide is to assist organizations, step by step, in implementing a quality management system (QMS) in conformance with ISO 9001:2008, whether from scratch or by transitioning from ISO 9001:2000. It examines each sub-clause of Sections 4–8 of ISO 9001:2008, which contain the requirements, and gives a list of the documentation/documents required, internal audit questions, a summary of management’s responsibilities, and a flowchart of the steps that need to be undertaken to satisfy the requirements.

More Products

Clear Seas Research

qcast_ClearSeas_logo.gifWith access to over one million professionals and more than 60 industry-specific publications,Clear Seas Research offers relevant insights from those who know your industry best. Let us customize a market research solution that exceeds your marketing goals.

eNewsletters

STAY CONNECTED

facebook_40.png twitter_40px.png  youtube_40px.pnglinkedin_40px.png