MANUFACTURING WORLDWIDE

Today's manufacturing executive must be part statesman. As chairman of the National Foreign Trade Council, James Perrella, CEO of Ingersoll-Rand Co., takes this role seriously. By leading an organized effort against unilateral U.S. economic sanctions, Perrella seeks to ensure the future vitality and financial success of his company. "In the international trade arena, perceptions easily become reality," Perrella noted in a recent speech. "In my visits with our overseas operations, customers frequently express concerns about potential U.S. economic sanctions. These international customers doubt the reliability of U.S. companies as future suppliers and business partners." Perrella's actions rely on a thorough understanding of the global economy. To support this effort, IW assembled the resources in this section as a unique primer for the global manufacturing executive. By juxtaposing key indicators from 39 key industrial and emerging nations, with gross domestic product ranging from $45 billion to $8.1 trillion, the first list offers a singular perspective of the world industrial economy. Subsequent rankings and resources refine that understanding by gauging economic competitiveness, comparing costs, measuring transnationality, and listing local resources. Charts: International Industrial Scorecard Gauging Global Competitiveness Trade Shows 1999, Management Associations, Manufacturing Associations Government Revenue vs. Spending & Corporate Taxes U.S. and International Embassies, Foreign Exchange Rates(Currency per US$), Cost of Living Index