U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer continued her nationwide “America at Work” listening tour with a visit to the Lone Star State. The Secretary’s only stop in Texas featured AEM member company Watson Drill Rigs, which has been manufacturing foundation drilling rigs for the construction, energy, and utility industries for more than 100 years.
During her visit to the 4th generation, family-owned company, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer met with company leadership, toured the manufacturing facility, and spoke with employees about the challenges and opportunities facing equipment manufacturers in Texas. She also highlighted her ongoing efforts to expand youth participation in apprenticeships by promoting them as debt-free, high-skill alternatives to four-year degrees.
“Watson Drill Rigs has long been an industry leader and innovator, and I was honored to visit with the hardworking men and women on the shop floor who are dedicated to delivering high-quality drill rigs for exceptional field performance,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “As I continue my America at Work tour, I’m committed to partnering with manufacturers to strengthen our workforce, create mortgage-paying jobs, and support President Trump’s vision to restore American manufacturing dominance.”
Watson Drill Rigs, which recently celebrated its 100th birthday, designs and manufactures specialized drilling equipment that supports energy development, construction, and infrastructure projects across the United States and around the world. The company’s Fort Worth operations exemplify the innovation, precision manufacturing, and skilled workforce that define the U.S. equipment manufacturing industry.
“It was a great honor to welcome Secretary of Labor Chavez-DeRemer to Watson Drill Rigs for her Texas leg of the ‘America at Work’ listening tour,” said Doug Watson, CEO of Watson Drill Rigs. “With a strong economy and strong backlog, our biggest bottleneck as an American manufacturer is now labor – finding skilled people with a strong work ethic. We appreciate the Secretary’s commitment to supporting the American workforce and for carrying our small voice back to Washington.”
The visit to Watson Drill Rigs marked the Secretary’s third stop at an AEM member company during her “America at Work” listening tour. Last year, the Secretary visited TowHaul in Belgrade, Montana and Husco in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
“Secretary Chavez-DeRemer's continued engagement with AEM reflects her work to advance the national dialogue about the urgent need for a skilled and abundant workforce through direct, on-the-ground conversations with employers and employees across the equipment manufacturing industry,” said Kip Eideberg, AEM’s senior vice president of government and industry relations. “We greatly appreciate Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s partnership as we work together to expand apprenticeship programs, strengthen public-private partnerships, connect workers to good-paying, family-sustaining careers, and grow the economy from the ground up.”
Secretary Chavez-DeRemer's “America at Work” listening tour is focused on understanding workforce challenges and opportunities across U.S. industries, with key priorities including:
- Fostering partnerships between businesses, unions, and educators to strengthen the workforce pipeline
- Expanding pathways to good-paying, sustainable jobs
- Improving workforce development and economic opportunity
- Promoting skills training, apprenticeships, and career education aligned with modern industry needs
- Reducing unnecessary regulatory barriers while protecting workers’ rights
- Supporting labor policies that empower both workers and job creators
See photos from the event below:
