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MILWAUKEE, June 6, 2019 – Photos taken by documentary photographer Brad Romano were unveiled today by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). More than 150 photos were collected as part of an ongoing effort to help tell the story of the 1.3 million men and women of the equipment manufacturing industry. The photos were taken in April of this year at AGCO Corporation (Jackson, MN), Komatsu (Peoria, IL), Superior Industries (Morris, MN), Vermeer Corporation (Pella, IA), Weiler (Knoxville, IA), and Woods Equipment (Oregon, IL).
The first batch of photos, two dozen in total, are featured on I Make America’s website (AEM’s national grassroots campaign) and on I Make America’s new Instagram account. I Make America is made up of 50,000 supporters from across the country who advocate for policies that support manufacturing jobs and help America’s equipment manufacturers compete globally.
“A picture is worth a thousand words, and these photos will help tell the stories of the 1.3 million men and women of the equipment manufacturing industry,” said Kip Eideberg, AEM’s vice president of government and industry relations. “Lawmakers in Washington, D.C. make decisions that impact our industry, our jobs, and our communities, and we want them to better understand what our industry looks like and get to know some of the men and women who make America.”
AGCO Corporation
“AGCO was proud to take part in this project by featuring the women and men at our Jackson, Minn. manufacturing facility. Our employees make a significant contribution to the U.S. economy, so its important policymakers know the decisions they make impacts American manufacturing workers like ours. That’s why telling their story is so important and we feel these photos help do that. AGCO was proud to participate.” – Robert Crain, Senior Vice President and General Manager Americas, AGCO Corporation
“The industries we equip are essential to modern life. Employees at our 28 North American manufacturing facilities are essential contributors to vital economies, producing high quality equipment that allows our customers to drive society forward. From towns across the United States, our teams bring to life the Komatsu commitment to safety, quality and reliability. We are honored our teams’ hard work is highlighted in this important photo series from AEM, and grateful for the generations of Komatsu employees who have contributed to our rich history.” – Michael Gidaspow, director of sales and marketing for Komatsu’s North America Central Region
“Generally, most of Superior’s manufacturing facilities are located in small town America. It’s here where we find loyal employees looking for hard work and lots of opportunity. We’re grateful to AEM for showcasing our humble, rural colleagues. Together, they’re building equipment that strengthens our infrastructure and powers American development.” – Corey Poppe, Communications Manager, Superior Industries
“Our Vermeer team designs, builds and supports equipment that is making an incredible impact. The work of our team here in Pella, Iowa and around the world helps feed and fuel communities, connect people to the necessities of life and manage natural resources. We hope that sharing images of the work of this team helps show the importance of equipment manufacturing to the economy both in the U.S. and globally.” – Jason Andringa, President and CEO, Vermeer
“Telling the story of our workers through this photographer’s camera enables us to show policymakers who is most impacted by the decisions they make every day. Weiler depends on skilled workers like the ones featured in these photos to design, engineer and manufacture asphalt paving products in Knoxville, Iowa. They are the reason Weiler is able to produce the equipment needed to build infrastructure through contractors in all fifty states and around the world.” – Megan Weiler Green, Counsel, Weiler
“Our employees are proud of the products we manufacture and even prouder to be building them here in the USA — in the same spot the Woods brothers founded our company in 1946. We have many, many Team Members whose parents, aunts, uncles, and even grandparents worked here. They want to continue the legacy and keep these high-quality jobs in Oregon, Illinois, for their children and grandchildren. That’s why we’re strong supporters of I Make America and do all we can to help AEM tell the story of American workers.” – Angela Kay Larson, Vice President, Marketing, Woods Equipment, a division of Blount International
Source: AEM News
