Earlier this summer, AEM and over 40 participating organizations showcased more than seventy-five pieces of construction equipment during A Celebration of Construction on the National Mall. This offered an unparalleled opportunity to our member companies and industry partners to educate regulatory agencies and elected officials on issues impacting our sector. The three-day festival brought more than 24,000 visitors to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., including top administration officials, lawmakers, regulators, and the general public, for a first-hand look at the advancements in construction equipment and practices. Several members participated in the celebration on the National Mall, including: Astec Industries, Bobcat Company, BOMAG, Bridgestone, Caterpillar, Cemen Tech, DEVELON. Ditch Witch, Dynapac North America, FAE USA, Gradall Industries, John Deere, Komatsu Corporation, Kubota Tractor Corporation, LBX Company, LeeBoy, Manitou, necoTECH, Takeuchi, Topcon, Trimble, Vermeer, Volvo CE, and Wirtgen.
In an exclusive preview to readers of the AEM Industry Advisor, AEM today released a video focusing on the impact of the event, featuring industry priorities and empowering members to share their voices. The ongoing workforce shortage and sustainability in the industry were among the issues addressed in the video, with members calling for industry wide efforts to attract new talent and create a more sustainable future for equipment manufacturing.
“It’s a beautiful day, we’ve been out here talking to policy makers and regulators about our equipment and what we can do for the American economy – and what we can be doing to move America forward,” said Tiffany Eisenbise, senior corporate counsel at Doosan Bobcat North America, emphasized during the video.
AEM also partnered with the Manufacturing Happy Hour’s Chris Luecke to host live podcast recordings from the National Mall on a number of topics relevant to the industry, such as damage prevention, sustainability, workforce challenges, federal infrastructure policy, and alternative power. To celebrate the July 4 holiday, Manufacturing Happy Hour released a special edition podcast, featuring the top highlights from the National Mall podcast recordings. The podcast can be accessed on iTunes, Spotify, or on the Manufacturing Happy Hour website.
In addition to the 24 participating equipment manufacturers, 18 industry partners showcased their efforts toward a more sustainable and modern construction sector, including the American Council of Engineering Companies, Associated Equipment Distributors, the Association of Equipment Management Professionals, Associated General Contractors of America, the American Rental Association, the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Traffic Safety Services Association, the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, the Common Ground Alliance, the Distribution Contractors Association, Independent Electrical Contractors, the International Union of Operating Engineers, the National Asphalt Pavement Association, the National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association, the National Utility Contractors Association, and the Power and Communication Contractors Association.
AEM and our industry partners will continue the conversation with policymakers for years to come, bringing a united voice and focus to the equipment manufacturing industry.
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