AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS ARE UNDER ENORMOUS PRESSURES TO REMAIN VIABLE IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY. THE PROBLEMS ARE WELL-KNOWN, BUT THE NATIONAL WILL TO CHANGE IS WEAK. THERE ARE NOTABLE SUCCESSES IN THE U.S., BUT THEY ARE IN THE MINORITY. THE GOVERNMENT IS ILL-EQUIPPED TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMPETITIVE POSITION OF U.S. COMPANIES ABROAD. INDUSTRY MUST FACE THE INEVITABILITY OF THE BOOTSTRAP APPROACH IN REGAINING THE COMPETITIVE EDGE. MANUFACTURERS MUST ADDRESS ISSUES OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT, LEADERSHIP, EDUCATION OF THE WORK FORCE, AND INTEGRATION OF THE ENTERPRISE. THE MOST CRITICAL NEED IS FOR TOP MANAGEMENT TO ASSUME THE LEADING ROLE IN THE RESTORATION OF AMERICA'S NATIONAL WEALTH. THE PAPER PUTS INTO PERSPECTIVE THE CHANGES IN ATTITUDES REQUIRED TO RESTORE U.S. MANUFACTURING TO THE FIRST RANK IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY, AS WELL AS THE IMPORTANCE OF MANU