Husco President and CEO Austin Ramirez traveled to Washington, D.C. last week to discuss the success of The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and urge lawmakers to reinstate several critical tax provisions that have expired or are being phased out.
Husco, a family-owned manufacturer based in Waukesha, Wisconsin, produces hydraulic and electro-mechanical components used in both passenger and off-highway vehicles. In his remarks to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, Ramirez recounted how his father came to the United States as a 6-year-old, chasing the American dream, and told lawmakers that his family was able to found and grow a successful business in large part thanks to pro-growth tax policies.
“In short, our story is the embodiment of the American dream,” said Ramirez. “But it was made possible by American reality—the laws that all of you write in this very room have a direct, concrete impact on our ability to succeed.”
Today, Husco employs just over 1,600 workers, a large portion of which are at their facilities in Waukesha and Whitewater, Wisconsin. Thanks to the TCJA, manufacturers like Husco have been able to grow their businesses, invest in their communities, and create more family-sustaining jobs. It was “unquestionably a success,” according to Ramirez.
“Following TCJA’s passage, Husco was able to complete the most significant renovation of our Waukesha, Wisconsin headquarters in 70 years,” Ramirez continued. “We invested nearly $50 million to modernize our office, renovate our shop floor, and install new capital equipment—which has enabled Husco to add nearly $150 million to our top line since 2017.”
As critical tax reform provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act have begun to expire, Congress is effectively forcing American equipment manufacturers to amortize R&D expenses, stifling innovation, and creating significant new costs—all while putting thousands of R&D jobs in jeopardy.
“2025 will be nothing short of a tax reckoning as Congress decides how to end the tax reform story,” said Ramirez. “And the stakes are high—allowing tax reform to sunset will undermine much of the progress we’ve made since 2017. At Husco, tax hikes will slow our growth and prevent us from investing in job-creating projects that support our community and our economy.”
Ramirez’s testimony comes as AEM is continuing its efforts to secure passage by the Senate of the House-passed Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, which would reinstate three vital pro-growth tax provisions – immediate R&D expensing, enhanced interest deductibility, and full expensing – that are critical to equipment manufacturers.
Earlier in the day, Ramirez, who serves on the AEM Board of Directors, met with U.S. Senators to highlight what is at risk for equipment manufacturers if Congress fails to pass The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act and to urge them to immediately approve the legislation and send it to the President’s desk.
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