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Read the stories and perspectives of equipment manufacturing workers. Submit your story to Stories@AEM.org.

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I Make America Event Was “Once in a Lifetime”

By: Mike ReedNovember 5, 2019

This story was written by Mike Reed, Value Stream Director, Mobile Hydraulics, Manitowoc Cranes. Earlier this year, Manitowoc had the opportunity to join with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers to host a very special I Make America event. At Manitowoc, we’re no strangers to visits from our elected officials – we take pride in showing […]

Manufacturing Workers Have a Voice Thanks to I Make America

By: Chris SammonsJuly 16, 2019

This story was written by Chris Sammons, Machine Shop Manager, Calder Brothers Corporation. At the start of the summer, I attended an I Make America event, Pancakes & Policy. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers, the organization that founded I Make America, brought some of their employees to Calder Brothers, where we talked about what are […]

Behind Every Product There’s a Story

By: I Make America TeamJuly 11, 2019

The latest in a series of videos highlighting the everyday lives of our industry’s 1.3 million men and women were published today with three new documentary-styled films. The Behind Every Product series continues with videos featuring Paul, Becky, and Ray, equipment manufacturing workers employed by Kuhn North America, Wacker Neuson, and Case IH. Each are […]

We Need Career and Technical Education for the Next Generation of Workers

By: Bryan HallJune 26, 2019

This piece was written by Bryan Hall, Engineer, Komatsu. A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17) while on the job at Komatsu. She was in Peoria for an I Make America event, where she toured the factory and then spoke to a group of employees. As part of […]

Photos Tell Workers’ Stories

By: I Make America TeamJune 20, 2019

As part of an ongoing effort to better tell the story of the equipment manufacturing industry and its 1.3 million workers, we sent documentary photographer Brad Romano on the road to visit AEM member companies. The product? Romano captured over 100 photos to help better tell the story of our industry’s hardworking men and women. […]

Tariffs Townhall Brings Senator to Kinze Manufacturing

By: Mark ParriottJune 11, 2019

This story is by Mark Parriott, Senior Vice President of Operations, Kinze Manufacturing. For me, agriculture has always been a big part of my life. I spent summers growing up on my grandfather’s century family farm in Nebraska. Today, I’m the Senior Vice President, Operations at Kinze Manufacturing, a leading farm equipment manufacturer. As a […]

Make an Impact, Get Involved with I Make America

By: Dave FosterMay 9, 2019

AEM’s I Make America campaign has made a big difference over the past 10 years. As the equipment manufacturing industry’s leading voice for grassroots advocacy, I Make America, and our more than 35,000 supporters, have stood on the front lines of advocating for policies that benefit the equipment manufacturing industry. I believe we have an […]

Worker uses grit, determination to achieve dream

By: Chad ReinkeMarch 14, 2019

Before I joined Kondex, I had been a carpenter my whole life – nearly a quarter century. I built homes, apartments, and commercial buildings, and for 12 years I had my own carpentry business. However, over time, the job started to wear on me, as did the cold winter months and hot summers. So I […]