In Economist Intelligence Unit Survey, U.S. Business Leaders Believe Green Tech, Innovation Will Drive Future U.S. Manufacturing Growth

October 18, 2011

Ninety percent of American business leaders agree that green technologies and the energy industry will power manufacturing growth in the U.S. over the next three years, along with high-tech and biotechnology, according to a survey of 360 senior industry executives about the future of manufacturing sponsored by GE and carried out by the Economist Intelligence Unit.

The same large majority also believes that innovation will be the future driver of manufacturing growth in America with 63% of respondents stressing that innovation in manufacturing processes was extremely important to the long-term success of the U.S. as a manufacturing destination.

The three greatest assets providing the U.S. manufacturing industry with an edge over emerging markets, according to the surveyed executives, are innovative processes, intellectual property protection and the high quality of products.

The polled group also agreed that business-led initiatives are the key to the future competitiveness of the industry, rather than government incentives to bolster innovation. The executives do see a role for the government in improving science and math education, offering tax incentives, and creating a better regulatory environment.

Our graphic below illustrates more from the survey.

The survey was carried out in August 2011. Some 40% of the 360 respondents were board members or C-level executives, including 96 CEOs, from industries such as high-tech, electronics, energy, biotech, pharmaceuticals, and other. More than half run companies with annual revenues above $500 million and one third with revenues over $10 billion.

In conjunction with the survey, Visualizing.org, a data visualization initiative jointly created by GE and Seed Media Group, has announced a public challenge to interpret the EIU data and other government manufacturing statistics. The goal is to visualize the information in a compelling way that illustrates the dynamics of U.S. manufacturing. The winner will receive a $2,000 prize. An honorable mention recipient will receive a $500 courtesy prize. The prizes will be funded by GE. The submission deadline is November 8, 2011.


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  • Adjabir F Fernandes

    We would like to speak here in Brazil with a CEO who speaks our language to a better understanding
    We do not need investment. We want to talk with Mr CEO of GE Energy for Latin America, Marcelo Soares, in Rio de Janeiro and is impossible to locate through the website of General Electric in Brazil or Latin America. Through a proprietary process “Reverse Molecular Engineeering we can break molecules, trapping the atoms and leading the cogeneration of energy. The market is on the order of solid waste (municipal waste) in the order of 180,000 t / day. Our ultimate horizon will change until the current limit of waste produced energy.
    There are more other issues involving the same energy production based on sanitation and energy to produce hydrogen. We are looking for a partner willing to dominate a market with 5560 alternative city building factories.
    [address and phone redacted]

  • William Edwards

    Who are you trying to kid? I have been hearing this garbage since 1989 and look where it has gotten us. I want a copy of this survey of Sr. Execs who believe lthis crap and participated in your survey/ We have lost our manufacturing base and it “ain’t” coming back. Green or no. Not until the government and environmentalists from around the world get off of the back of the businessman and his industriesn will we see this economy improve. GE and companies like youo have destroyed the American Dream.

    The Green Energy Technology is still way too expensive to replace much less expensive Natural Gas, Coal and Oil. Green Tech at this point is a pipe dream at the expense of the Tax Payers and GE is a big sponge accepting Tax Payer subsidies.

    Bill Edwards

  • Thomas Olenski

    Andrew Liveris, the CEO of Dow Chemical, does a good job of discussing the issues in his book, “Make it in America”. There are some distinct advantages to the US in Manaufacturing, but many are offset by a government that does not understand economics and other issues. Tax rates in the US and other costs of compliance are driving work overseas, not just for lower wages. The government spends too much time playing politics and not enough time focusing on the issues and possible resolutions.