The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) tour, launched on July 1 in Knoxville, Iowa, has travelled across 22 US states, celebrating the 2.3 million men and women of the US equipment manufacturing industry and highlighting their role in building, powering, and feeding the world.
The AEM Manufacturing Express visited 80 equipment manufacturers in the Midwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic. The final stop in Wisconsin, home to AEM’s headquarters, brought the four-month-long tour to a celebratory close as manufacturing workers, elected officials, and industry leaders gathered to celebrate equipment manufacturers’ impact on the communities where they live and work.
“The AEM Manufacturing Express has been a unique platform to celebrate the grit and determination of the men and women of the equipment manufacturing industry,” said AEM president Megan Tanel. “As we wrap up this historic journey in Milwaukee, we are proud to have told the stories of so many individuals who help build and sustain our modern world. We look forward to finishing strong in the community where our organization is rooted.”
The AEM Manufacturing Express showcased the cutting-edge technology and innovations driving the equipment manufacturing industry throughout the tour. Each stop featured an interactive experience – the “Manufacturing Challenge”– giving attendees a chance to test their knowledge and learn about the many ways the equipment manufacturing industry is critical to our way of life, from infrastructure development to powering essential services and supporting agriculture. One lucky participant will walk away with a brand-new Ford F-150 at the conclusion of the tour.
“Returning to Wisconsin, the AEM Manufacturing Express is coming home to celebrate the equipment manufacturing industry and the 180,000 workers that are the backbone of the state,” said Kip Eideberg, AEM’s Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations. “This cross-country tour has demonstrated that when the equipment manufacturing industry is strong, America is strong. As we enter the final sprint to Election Day, we have a simple message for all candidates: We do not care whether there is an R or D behind your name, we want to know what you will do to support equipment manufacturing in America.”
Participating equipment manufacturers include iconic companies such as AGCO Corporation, CNH Industrial, Caterpillar Inc., Cummins Inc., Deere & Company, Komatsu, Kubota, The Toro Company, Vermeer Corporation, and Volvo Group. The tour has also featured the participation of more than 100 elected officials and community leaders, who joined company employees and their families for events that included games, giveaways, food, and entertainment.
For more details about the tour and the upcoming final event in Milwaukee, visit www.manufacturingexpress.org
