Real stories from people across the U.S. talking about how they help "make America" and how important the manufacturing industry is to their community. Show your support at www.IMakeAmerica.com and tell Congress you want U.S. manufacturing policies that create jobs here in the U.S.
The Story of Our Campaign
Oklahoma City, OK
Hutchinson, KS
Moline, IL
Perry, OK
Pella, IA
Shippensburg, PA
Peoria, IL
Wichita, KS
Tipp City, OH
Hesston, KS
Canton, SD
Fort Wayne, IN
Honeoye, NY
Chicago, IL
Watertown, SD
Jackson, MN
Laurel, MT
Ithaca, MI
Manitowoc, WI
Manitowoc, WI
Thibodaux, LA
Lexington, KY
Milwaukee, WI
Fort Collins, CO
Garner, IA
Lomira, WI
Omaha, NE
Farley, IA
Portland, OR
Superior, WI
Newnan, GA
Overland Park, KS
Akron, OH
Mequon, WI
Huntington, WV
Crystal Lake, IL
Crystal Lake, IL
Finding A Solution
General Kinematics in Crystal Lake, Illinois, designs and manufactures vibrating equipment that processes bulk materials. Its products are used in industries such as foundry, mining, recycling, wood, power generation and food. Owner Paul Musschoot believes the company’s success lies with its employees. “Our most valuable assets are our 134 people here at Crystal Lake,” he said. “They are creative and hardworking, and always have a can-do attitude.”
Huntington, WV
Providing Support
Steel of West Virginia, located in Huntington, West Virginia, produces the steel that is necessary for building infrastructure. The 500 employees at Steel of West Virginia are proud to be the backbone of American’s manufacturing base and their community, but they worry that if Congress doesn’t support manufacturing jobs their sector will suffer. So they are asking Congress to pass laws allowing companies like theirs to become global competitors.
Mequon, WI
Good Vibrations
Telsmith, located in Mequon, Wisconsin, not only helps make America’s infrastructure, its business depends on it. The more than 300 employees at Telsmith manufacture crushing and vibrating equipment. This equipment is used to make the stone needed for concrete and asphalt. With 50 percent of its products being shipped to ports across America, Telsmith needs the roads and bridges its products help make to be well maintained.
Akron, OH
A Global Reach
Paladin represents more than 500 manufacturing jobs across the United States. Together, Paladin companies are the largest manufacturers of attachments for excavators, loaders, dozers and skid steers in the world. To remain a global competitor, Paladin needs Congress to commit to keeping manufacturing jobs in the United States by investing in the nation’s infrastructure.
Overland Park, KS
Bridging the Language Gap
SH3 Translations translates operator and service manuals for manufactures. These translated materials allow companies to become global competitors and sell their products anywhere in the world. However, when manufacturing slows, so does their translation work. Employees at SH3 are asking Congress to pass legislation that encourages manufacturing so they can continue to explain how products work in whatever language needed.
Newnan, GA
Carrying the Load
At the KCMA plant in Newnan, Georgia, workers manufacture Kawasaki wheel loaders, a necessary piece of equipment for almost all construction sites. Employees at KCMA are proud of the products they produce and many of the employees have been with the company for more than 10 years. Now KCMA employees are asking Congress to invest in improving America’s infrastructure so the need for their product can continue to grow.
Superior, WI
A Superior Place
Superior, Wisconsin was chosen as the site of Genesis Attachments in 1997 because of a strong community work ethic and the city’s desire to help create local jobs. Since then Genesis has grown into a global competitor and the attachment tools it designs and manufactures are used in jobs around the world. Now employees at Genesis are asking Congress to place the same priority on local jobs that Superior did and enact legislation that will help keep jobs in America.
Portland, OR
A 'Jewell' Out West
Out in Portland, Oregon a strong manufacturing base plays an important role in supporting the city and the people who call it home. Contributing to this base is Jewell Attachments, a company that manufactures custom attachments for excavators and employs 68 people. These employees are now asking lawmakers to implement policies that will keep manufacturing jobs in the U.S. so they can continue to support their families and their community.
Farley, IA
Supply and Demand
J.P. Scherrman sells products that help pave roads, construct buildings and harvest crops. Paul Scherrman, owner, recognizes that manufacturing is a very important part of America, and is proud to be a part of that as a retailer — helping farmers, construction workers and the community. He and the eight employees of J.P. Scherrman are asking Congress to invest in infrastructure so there continues to be a need for the products they sell.
Omaha, NE
Manufacturing Education
When visitors come to CLAAS, Brandon Olstad educates them about the role manufacturing plays in agriculture. He also credits CLAAS for helping him receive an education, as an intern at CLAAS he put himself through college. Now Brandon and the employees at CLAAS are educating leaders in DC by explaining that they need Congress to pass export agreements so their products can be shipped anywhere in the world.
Lomira, WI
A Sense of Community
In Lomira, home to Kondex, a sense of community, teamwork, and family values rule. So it's no surprise these same virtues play an important role at Kondex, whose products help feed and fuel the world. Kondex believes in promoting manufacturing jobs and partnered with the local high school to educate the students on opportunities within the industry. Kondex supports any legislative policies to improve infrastructure and keep jobs in Lomira and throughout America.
Garner, IA
Servicing America
Donna Popp-Bruesewitz knows her company doesn’t just help build roads, they also help build the surrounding Garner, Iowa community. The 200 employees at Stellar need Congress to put money towards improving America’s infrastructure so the tire service trucks, mechanics cranes, and hook lift hoists sold at Stellar can be put to use. “When there are no roads being built, and no major construction projects underway, we all suffer,” Donna said.
Fort Collins, CO
A Nobel Mission
In Fort Collins, Wolf Robotics has been building equipment for more than 30 years. They see their mission as noble - they are saving American manufacturing. By selling their goods overseas, and helping American manufacturers be more efficient, Wolf has created a strong, sustained business in the American west. All 100 employees of Wolf are proud to make America, and ask Congress to ensure their company can continue to grow and export products in the future.
Milwaukee, WI
Heart of Manufacturing
In the heart of the manufacturing belt, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is making a difference. AEM devised the I Make America campaign to stand up for American jobs and demand our leaders act on legislation that keeps the US competitive in the global marketplace. AEM works to make sure the voices of the industry, the businesses that rely on them, and their local communities are heard in DC.
Lexington, KY
Building for the Future
Stan Hack, an employee of LinkBelt Cranes is proud to be able to tell his grandson that he helped make the LinkBelt cranes they see dotted along the side of the road. The employees of LinkBelt have been manufacturing cranes for generations, but now it is the next generation they are concerned about. They want Congress to invest in building roads, bridges and critical infrastructure so that jobs at LinkBelt will available for their kids and grandkids.
Thibodaux, LA
More than Mardi Gras
With the economy in Southern LA still recovering, the lesser known manufacturing base in the region has never been more important. The jobs at the John Deere plant in Thibodaux, where they make sugar cane harvesters, are essential to employees and community. They want Congress to pass job creating laws to boost manufacturing and pass export agreements that put them on an equal playing field with other countries machine makers.
Manitowoc, WI
Cranes Create Jobs
Manitowoc Cranes, located in Manitowoc, Wisconsin is helping create jobs for more then just their employees. Just one crane creates additional jobs in transportation, assembly and design. “It’s not just the people here we put to work,” said employee Heath Kluba, “it’s people in other industries as well.” In order for Manitowoc to continue to build America, they need Congress to fund infrastructure programs so that their products can be put to work.
Manitowoc, WI
Cooling Down the Country
At Manitowoc Ice, where they build ice machines, 60% of their 400 employees have been with them for over 30 years. To avoid layoffs they need export agreements that allow them to sell their product anywhere. “There are certain markets that we can’t get into,” said Steve Garber. “We're suffering because we don’t have access to all these markets.”
Ithaca, MI
Flying High
Aircraft Precision Products is a small town company with a big product. They manufacture engine parts for planes all over the world. However, Aircraft Precision can't expand and grow without the help of Congress. They need Congress to pass a global export policy without barriers so they can continue to help people across the globe get where they need to go.
Laurel, MT
Building from Big Sky
Wood's Powr-Grip Co., Inc. helps build America from the ground up. They make vacuum powered lifters to move materials like glass and stone. Their lifters made the sky walk across the Grand Canyon possible. They are fighting competition from other countries and hope Congress will help by passing an infrastructure building program to spur construction.
Jackson, MN
A New Day
In Jackson, where they rise early and work hard, farming is a way of life. The local farming equipment manufacture recently shared some great news with the small town; they are investing in North America and moving a production line from France, back home to Minnesota. With over 150 new jobs, AGCO is helping to make America stronger.
Watertown, SD
We’re Ready to Make America
Kasey Danley and his hard working colleagues at Angus Palm keep construction and agriculture workers protected, comfortable and productive. They are ready to make America, now it’s time for Congress to help create job opportunities with infrastructure investment and by knocking down export barriers with other countries.
Honeoye, NY
Main Street Wisdom
The Finger Lakes region of New York is a popular summer destination, but the rest of the year the local economy is sustained by the local Stone Construction company. Adam Frick owns Millcreek Café, and he knows that without Stone creating local income his family's business would not survive.
Chicago, IL
Bridge = Paychecks
If anyone believes that building American infrastructure doesn’t create jobs, just go to south Chicago. A new contract to build a bridge allowed Smedberg Machine Shop to rehire laid off employees, and hire new skilled laborers. Benny Sahagun has worked there for 25 years and thinks it will all be okay, as long as there is additional infrastructure investment .
Honeoye, NY
One Brick at a Time
Scott Woodruff has helped to build America one brick at a time at Stone Construction Equipment. To make the economy stronger, Scott wants leaders in Washington to get home to their states see what goes on in the states manufacturing industry. “We build America and if you give us a level playing field, and the same rules as other countries, you can’t beat us!”
Fort Wayne, IN
Build it and They Will Come
Jodie Adams works in Fort Wayne, Indiana at Terex Advanced Cement Mixer where she sees first hand how a lot of families depend on their products, including employees, suppliers, and customers. She would like to tell people in Washington that there are thousands of individuals who would like to live the American dream if given the chance with a manufacturing job.
Canton, SD
It Takes Leadership
A member of the Canton community for almost 50 years, Bidwell makes paving equipment, and its’ employees are active members of the community - as EMT’s, leading Boy Scout troops, and the volunteer fire department. These community leaders know that to keep their jobs it takes leadership in Washington to make the economy strong and keep the nation’s infrastructure intact.
Tipp City, OH
Never Say Die
Tippecanoe is a living history in Tipp City, Ohio. Rick Heinl started Repacorp with five employees and now has 130. In this recession he’s seen many workers in Ohio laid off and many business owners not take pay. The Tipp City residents hope that their "never say die" spirit will force policy makers to make decisions that will continue to drive the economy for generations to come.
Hesston, KS
Feeding the World
Everyday Gerald Wright and his 1,300 colleagues produce farm equipment that is sold in 130 countries around the world. Workers from this town of less then 4,000 people in rural Kansas help to feed the world by exporting specialized ACGO farming equipment overseas. Opportunities to send products abroad to other countries keep this shop running, and American men and women employed.
Wichita, KS
Feeling the Pressure
Tyson Wells works on the same machine that his grandfather worked on in his day, and in the same plant that his father and uncle both worked. In the past two years the local community has struggled with the down economy and some suppliers have seen a 70% loss in sales. The New Holland workers in Wichita know that their job is more than a paycheck, its American prosperity.
Peoria, IL
Main Street All-America
It plays in Peoria, because of the jobs brought to the local community by manufactures like Caterpillar. Joni Combs was a school teacher who lost her job when the school’s lost students because of the economy. She then found her lifeline working at Cat, a lifeline too many in the community that keeps the kids playing on the soccer fields, and the pee wee football leagues running.
Shippensburg, PA
Bring the Jobs Back
In order to protect American jobs, the decision makers in Washington, D.C. need to pass laws that make it easier for companies to hire more people instead of making it harder for them, to “bring a lot of the jobs back,” as Don Carbaugh says. He was proud to see Volvo come to his small town four years ago, because they saw the talent and work ethic of the American employee.
Pella, IA
Red-Blooded American Male
Josh Gott is proud to build things; it gives him a sense of purpose working at Vermeer. Josh knows that the start of this great country began with the idea of being self-reliant, not relying on outside sources for our way of life. “With the down economy if America was solely dependent on the manufacturing power of other nations, we would be standing here waiting for them to fix the economy for us.”
Perry, OK
Keep the dollars moving
Having a family owned manufacturer in the small town of Perry, Oklahoma is a major economic driver - the employees and visitors keep the flow of the dollar moving. Mayor Chuck Hall wants to be sure that these local industries can remain competitive in the global marketplace and keep jobs here at home, “because without it, communities like Perry which have been around for nearly 117 years are sure to fail.”