"Jerry J. Jasinowski" is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Manufacturers and Entrepreneur/Founder and Past President of the Manufacturing Institute.

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This is the first time that all of these sectors had positive orders in at least three months and is the first sign that a broad-based turnaround in the manufacturing sector may be beginning to form.

The current manufacturing recession that began in the latter half of 2000 is chiefly due to the combined effects of excessively high interest rates, high energy prices, the over-valued dollar and increased regulatory and legal costs.

Smaller manufacturers have seen some deterioration in the rate of profit growth, but the continued strength in sales, exports and capital investment indicates they have not yet been seriously affected by recent global turmoil.

E-commerce will be a central factor in future productivity growth and maintaining low inflation. E-commerce provides cost-effective, time-efficient means of transacting business and distributing goods, thereby lowering expenses and constraining inflation.

Inventories have been drawn down, industrial production has stabilized and consumer spending remains strong.

The Y2K issue is a serious problem not only for the government and larger companies, but especially for smaller manufacturers who often don't have the necessary resources on-site to address this technological challenge, ... We will continue to raise awareness among our membership about this critical challenge.

The prospect of deflation is one that sends shudders through financial markets.

It will be a boon to stocks and to capital investment. Increasing the stock market will give business confidence a very big shock.

It is time for the administration to get tough with the Chinese.