Abstract. The objective of this work is the evaluation of the competitiveness state of companies operating within the manufacturing industry in Romania, 2001-2007. Since 1990, Romania has begun a long process of non - industrialization, which resulted in a significant reduction of the population occupancy in the industry, a reduction of the industrial production and hence exports, which came from this industry. It is therefore necessary to make such a study to identify industries with growth potential, especially since in the current context, it is necessary to adopt viable solutions to overcome the economic crisis. Following this analysis, the findings reveal that four of the 11 sectors analyzed are characterized, in 2001-2007, with a relative lack of competitiveness, and the other ones are positioned in the V area of the evaluation matrix, which means that, in the analyzed period, the static and dynamic economic situation of them was neutral, whichever showing a real growth potential.

Keywords: competitiveness; system companies; manufacturing; internal efficiency; external efficiency.