The USA Market for Advanced Manufacturing (AM) and Robotics Manufacturing in the U.S. has often been assumed to be in long-term decline, with the competitive advantage moving to low-cost countries such as Mexico and China. However, with advanced technologies likely to automate as much as 60% of factory tasks, in the future low-cost countries may no longer enjoy a competitive advantage, and the USA could well regain lost ground. Although many basic and low value-added products have moved out of the USA, the country still has an incredibly thriving manufacturing sector with more than $4 trillion

ICE-Agency, in collaboration with UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, organized the event to present opportunities on the U.S. market with a focus on the machine tool sector. During the initiative, the video of the "Fact finding tour USA" exploratory mission to Ohio and Alabama held in March 2017 was presented, during which representatives of the Chicago ICE office and UCIMU visited Italian and foreign companies well-established in the area and met with local institutions, gathering important information and data relevant to the sector. The meeting, introduced by Marinella Loddo, manager of the ICE

This documentary was developed by the Italian Trade Agency via its Chicago USA Office, together with Italy's machine tools manufacturers' association, UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, highlighting its activities during a one-week tour of Ohio and Alabama. The tour which was fact-finding in nature, which was to assess the US manufacturing economy for potential opportunities for Italian machinery manufacturers looking to either enter or expand in the US marketplace. This documentary highlights interviews and visits with leading Italian subsidiaries, local economic development organizations and