WASHINGTON – Investment in technologies and the opening of markets abroad are at the core of a new policy for manufacturing issued by the Obama administration this week.  

Among the components of the proposed policy are to provide workers the opportunity to gain needed skills; investment in technologies and business practices; the creation of efficient capital markets for investment; transition aid; transportation infrastructure investment; an improved business environment; and market access and fairness in foreign markets.

Toward the latter, the policy includes many trade-related provisions, including opening foreign markets, enforcing trade agreements, reviewing export control regulations, and promoting exports.

The document asserts that through “sound government policy,” US manufacturing could see momentous growth.

The Small Business Administration also is taking on programs to support manufacturing exporters: training modules; awareness campaign; business outreach; encouraging trade financing; protecting IP; revising tax breaks; reducing trade deficit, and expanding adjustment assistance.

ST. LOUIS – Sikorsky Aircraft awarded LaBarge a multi-year contract valued at approximately $18.9 million to produce electronic assemblies for various models of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters through 2014.
 
LaBarge has manufactured cables and electronic assemblies for the Black Hawk program since 2005. The new contract expands the firm’s manufacturing role to include additional types of electronic assemblies that support lighting and power systems in the helicopters.
 
Production on the contract’s initial release, which is valued at $3.5 million, began this month and is expected to continue through December 2010.
 
LaBarge is performing the work at its Huntsville, AK, facility.
 
Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.