I Make America, the national grassroots campaign of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, is back on the road this year visiting member company facilities across the country and advocating for pro-manufacturing policies. Just this past week, I Make America and Komatsu North America teamed up to host U.S. Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) for the production launch of Komatsu’s HM400-5 articulated truck at its Chattanooga, Tennessee facility.
After more than a decade, this return of production is great for Tennessee’s local economy, and subsequently our national economy. Not only is this an investment in Chattanooga and the surrounding area, it is also an investment in the community and training programs for the next generation of equipment manufacturers. I Make America was honored to be on site for this momentous occasion and to connect our elected officials directly with Komatsu’s employees. Following the conclusion of the facility tour, Rep. Fleischmann led an employee town hall meeting and shared his perspective on U.S. manufacturing and other challenges facing our nation.
“For years, Komatsu has been a proud member of our Chattanooga-area community, providing hundreds of good-paying jobs and generating a massive economic impact for Chattanooga and Tennessee. Bringing back production of Komatsu's HM400-5 trucks is another sign of our strong local workforce and shows the confidence business leaders have in Chattanooga's economy and our values of hard work, low taxes, and free enterprise. I am excited that Komatsu is expanding their operations here in Chattanooga and investing in our community,” said Rep. Fleischmann
“We have seen the demand for our HM400-5 trucks grow significantly in both the U.S. and Canada, which is why we began producing the trucks here in the U.S.,” said Rod Schrader, Chairman and CEO, Komatsu North America. “The domestic production of this popular truck supports Komatsu's commitment to jobs and manufacturing in the U.S., and also enables us to contribute far more to the local Chattanooga economy.”
“AEM is honored to partner with Komatsu to host Rep. Chuck Fleischmann as we celebrate the return of production of the HM400 articulated truck to Chattanooga. Today’s event is a vital reminder that equipment manufacturing in the United States is alive and well, with a future destined to create more family-sustaining jobs in America,” said Kip Eideberg, AEM’s senior vice president of government and industry relations. “As our industry continues to face supply chain disruptions and worker shortages, we need our elected officials to support policies that will help strengthen equipment manufacturing in America. We are grateful to Congressman Fleischmann for his leadership in Congress and his support for policies that will help equipment manufacturers invest in their communities, grow their businesses, and hire more Americans.”
If you are interested in getting more involved with I Make America and adding your voice to the fight for pro-manufacturing policies, please reach out to wbalkonis@aem.org.
For more AEM news and updates, subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor.
