A division of the NAM, the Associations Council was founded in 1907 and comprised more than 220 manufacturing trade associations. The mission of the Council was to help develop legislative, regulatory, economic, and educational opportunities that further the interests and purposes of associations and their members. By joining the Council, associations benefited in several ways including gaining access to the public-policy resources of the NAM and joining an extensive network of leading manufacturing associations, sharing expertise, ideas, and experiences. Membership was open to associations with members composed of companies engaged in manufacturing in the United States. The materials are arranged alphabetically and reflect the day-to-day activities of the organization.

Sometime after 2000, the Associations Council became the Council of Manufacturing Associations (CMA). The Council of Manufacturing Associations is an independently funded subsidiary of the NAM.