Manufacturing & Industry Associations
Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME) cme-mec.ca
The largest industry and trade association in Canada, representing over 2,500 leading manufacturers across all provinces. CME (known in French as Manufacturiers et Exportateurs du Canada) works to strengthen Canada’s manufacturing base and export competitiveness. It provides advocacy on issues like tax policy, trade agreements, innovation funding, and skills development. CME’s members span industries from automotive and aerospace to food processing and machinery. Through initiatives like the Kaizen Awards and Manufacturing Month, CME promotes productivity and continuous improvement in Canadian factories. Founded in 1871, CME has been a key voice for Canadian industry for over 150 years.
Confederación de Cámaras Industriales (CONCAMIN) concamin.org.mx
The Confederation of Industrial Chambers of Mexico, established in 1918. CONCAMIN is an umbrella organization representing over 100 national and regional industrial chambers in Mexico, across sectors from manufacturing and mining to textiles and food processing. It is the highest-level industry group in Mexico, recognized as a consultative body to the federal government. CONCAMIN advocates for policies to drive industrial growth, exports (its members account for ~90% of Mexico’s non-oil exports), and improved infrastructure. It also coordinates cross-industry initiatives on innovation, training, and sustainability, hosting the Annual Industrialists’ Meeting (RAI), a major policy forum.
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) nam.org
The largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing over 14,000 member companies from every industrial sector and all 50 states. Founded in 1895, NAM’s mission is to advocate for a strong manufacturing climate in the U.S. - pushing for competitive tax rates, sensible regulation, workforce development, and trade expansion. NAM’s membership ranges from iconic Fortune 500 industrials to small family-owned factories. The manufacturing sector in the U.S. contributes roughly $2.8 trillion to GDP and employs 12.8 million Americans. NAM frequently highlights that if U.S. manufacturing were a country, it would be the world’s ninth-largest economy. The association publishes the Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey and runs the Manufacturing Institute (focused on skills training and diversity in the industrial workforce).
