The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) today awarded a brand-new Ford F-150 to William Corwin of AEM member company Grote Industries, the grand prize winner of AEM’s “Manufacturing Challenge” giveaway. Mr. Corwin participated in the Manufacturing Challenge during last year’s stop of the AEM Manufacturing Express at Grote Industries. AEM's award-winning, cross-country tour stopped at more than 80 towns across America to celebrate the 2.3 million men and women of the equipment manufacturing industry who build, power, and feed the world.
Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09) and Madison Mayor Bob Courtney joined John and Dominic Grote, AEM executives, and Marshall Ford representatives from Carrollton, Kentucky as a brand-new Ford F-150 was presented to William Corwin.
"We appreciate the work AEM does to recognize the importance of manufacturing in America,” said Grote Industries Chief Operating Officer John Grote. In hosting their Manufacturing Express event here in Madison last year, we were able to celebrate along with them the important work our team does each day. Today we get to continue the celebration with the truck giveaway that one of our very own team members won."
Congresswoman Houchin spoke about the importance of the equipment manufacturing industry to the state of Indiana and the need to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of equipment manufacturers.
“Grote Industries represents the best of American manufacturing—innovation, hard work, and community,” said Congresswoman Houchin. “I’m proud to celebrate William Corwin and the 138,000 Hoosiers driving our state’s manufacturing success. As a member of Congress, I’ll keep fighting to cut red tape in Washington to grow our workforce right here in Southeast Indiana and across America.”
As part of its cross-country tour of America, the AEM Manufacturing Express highlighted the contributions of equipment manufacturers to the communities where they live and work. During its visit to Madison, Indiana last September, more than 400 workers joined AEM to celebrate one of the nation’s few remaining family-owned, family-operated companies with over a century of experience. As the AEM Manufacturing Express returned to Jefferson County, employees of Grote Industries came out to celebrate one of their own. William Corwin, a manufacturing technician who has been at the equipment manufacturer for 13 years, was greeted by raucous applause as he was presented with the keys to a brand-new truck.
“The equipment manufacturing industry is made up of people like William Corwin, who roll up their sleeves and go to work every day to build a better future for themselves and their families,” said Kip Eideberg, AEM’s Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations. “The AEM Manufacturing Express was designed to highlight the grit, determination, and can-do spirit of the men and women of our industry, and to ensure that their voices are heard when decisions made in Washington impact their lives and livelihoods. Thank you to the team at Grote Industries for welcoming us back to Madison, Indiana and for partnering with us as we continue to advocate for pro-manufacturing policies.”
Mr. Corwin was randomly selected from more than 8,500 manufacturing supporters who joined the AEM Manufacturing Express along its tour of 22 states last year. To qualify for the grand prize, participants were required to take the “Manufacturing Challenge,” an interactive, online game designed to educate and inspire players about the equipment manufacturing industry.
Next month, the AEM Manufacturing Express will hit the road again, visiting 22 equipment manufacturers throughout the state of Texas.
