As the countdown to CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 continues, POLITICO Focus has released the second video in its “Building America’s Promise” series, featuring Rod Bull, CEO of Komatsu North America Corp., addressing one of the most pressing issues in the equipment manufacturing industry today: workforce development.
In the video, Bull underscores the importance of maintaining a strong and skilled talent pipeline in an industry that is rapidly evolving with new technologies and shifting workforce interests.
“Some of the biggest challenges Komatsu faces are maintaining a healthy pipeline of talent and keeping skill levels up in a workforce that has moved on in terms of technology and interest,” said Bull.
Bull points to Komatsu’s ongoing investments in the next generation of talent through apprenticeship programs, partnerships with trade associations, trade schools, and local high schools. He emphasizes the need for policymakers to play an active role in fostering these partnerships, supporting workforce development through education and continuous learning programs.
“We need people who want to learn and grow with the technology,” Bull added. “When we look to the future, it’s that mixture of people that’s going to come in and create new ideas, giving us a different lens for how we support the industry and ultimately advance construction across the U.S.”
The “Building America’s Promise” content hub, created in partnership between CONEXPO-CON/AGG and POLITICO Focus, highlights the people, policies, and innovations shaping the modern construction industry. Last month, the first video in the series featured AEM President and CEO Megan Tanel discussing the construction industry’s economic footprint and evolving challenges.
Watch the full video with Rod Bull here.
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Held every three years, CONEXPO-CON/AGG is the must-attend event for construction industry professionals. The show features the latest equipment, products, services, and technologies for the construction industry, as well as industry-leading education. CONEXPO-CON/AGG is owned in partnership with NRMCA, NSSGA, and AEM, and it is managed by AEM. The next CONEXPO-CON/AGG will be held March 3-7, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
For more information on CONEXPO-CON/AGG, visit https://www.conexpoconagg.com.
