Building materials made entirely out of recycled paper.  Hand made porcelain sculptures.  Safety restraints for race cars.  Upscale leather briefcases.

What do these things have in common?  They are all “Made in New Jersey” and on Thursday, March 15, these and lots of products just like them were on display in the halls of the State House.  It's all part of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association's Made in New Jersey Day, designed to highlight the products and innovations of New Jersey manufacturers.

Governor Jon Corzine toured the exhibits, as did many members of the State Senates and Assembly.  These key policymakers were able to see for themselves the interesting array of products that are still being made in New Jersey and learned more about the challenges manufacturers face doing business in New Jersey.

“Our manufacturers are amazing,” NJBIA President Philip Kirschner said.  “Year in and year out they stand up to fierce global competition while operating in one of the highest cost States in the nation.  They provide quality jobs and good benefits.  Manufacturing in New Jersey has a great story to tell, and Made in New Jersey Day is our chance to tell it.”

Made in New Jersey Day is part of NJBIA's award-winning Manufacturing Counts! Campaign for Manufacturing Renewal in New Jersey.   The campaign is intended to call attention and resources to a valuable but vulnerable sector of the State economy that directly employs 321,000 workers and indirectly provides jobs for 180,000 more. 

With more than 23,000 member companies, NJBIA is the largest state-level business association in the nation.  For more information, contact Steve Wilson at 609-393-7707, ext. 245.