As part of her nationwide effort to hear about the challenges and opportunities facing America’s manufacturers and workers, U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer brought her “America at Work” listening tour to Belgrade, Montana, with a visit to TowHaul (a subsidiary of AEM member company Federal Signal).
The Secretary’s visit to the equipment manufacturer, a global leader of heavy-duty, off-road towing and hauling equipment, is part of her broader effort to shape and modernize federal policies through direct engagement with workers, employers, and community leaders. During her time at TowHaul, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer toured the shop floor where she got a first-hand look at the company’s flagship product: a low-profile modular trailer. She also learned how to operate a V-18-60 Hydmech, a semi-automatic vertical band saw used to cut various components in support of the manufacturing process.
“It was a pleasure to be on the ground in Montana visiting TowHaul's impressive facilities and seeing firsthand their cutting-edge off-road equipment,” said Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. “TowHaul's innovation and reliability play a vital role in supporting the mineral extraction industry and sustaining good-paying jobs in mining communities across the country. The Labor Department is committed to ensuring American manufacturing and mining remain the gold standard for the world.”
TowHaul welcomed the opportunity to share the company’s story with the Secretary.
“TowHaul was proud to host Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer at our factory in Belgrade, Montana,” said TowHaul Vice President and General Manager Chris Friedel. “Visiting businesses like ours across the nation and listening to the challenges we face will help drive the changes needed to help us grow and continue providing family-sustaining jobs in our communities.”
AEM applauded the Secretary’s commitment to uplifting American workers and manufacturers through firsthand engagement.
“Equipment manufacturers are the backbone of rural communities and local economies,” said Kip Eideberg, AEM’s senior vice president of government and industry relations. “We are grateful to Secretary Chavez-DeRemer for taking the time to hear directly from the men and women who build the equipment that powers our great nation. Her visit to TowHaul demonstrates her steadfast commitment to championing American-made jobs and her leadership on behalf of America’s workers.”
Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s key priorities for the “America at Work” listening tour include:
- Foster partnerships between businesses, unions, and educators to create a stronger workforce pipeline.
- Strengthen pathways to good-paying, sustainable jobs across U.S. industries.
- Identify ways to improve workforce development and enhance economic prosperity.
- Promote skills training, apprenticeships, and career education that meet modern workforce needs.
- Cut the red tape stifling innovation or job growth while protecting workers’ rights.
- Support federal labor policies that empower both workers and job creators.
See photos from the event below, or visit the event Flickr Gallery.
Just last month, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer joined AEM and nearly two dozen equipment manufacturers at the 2025 Celebration of Construction on the National Mall. During her tour, the Secretary spoke with AEM’s Kip Eideberg about the Trump administration’s efforts to help manufacturers innovate and create more family-sustaining jobs.
For AEM members, the Secretary’s recent visits signal the Trump administration’s recognition of the equipment manufacturing industry’s vital role in strengthening the U.S. economy and dedication to supporting the industry’s future growth.
