As part of AEM’s ongoing advocacy efforts and partnership with our member companies, we recently joined Deere & Co. in hosting U.S. Representative Kathy Manning (D-N.C.) at their Kernersville, North Carolina facility.
In the four short years since she was elected to Congress, Rep. Manning has worked diligently with her colleagues to modernize North Carolina’s transportation network. In 2021, she voted for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which is estimated to deliver more than $10.4 billion in funding to the Tar Heel State. AEM was a staunch supporter of the bipartisan infrastructure law, which makes a transformational investment in rebuilding our nation’s roadways, ensures clean drinking water, modernizes our airports or waterways, and creates family-sustaining jobs.
During her visit, Rep. Manning toured the manufacturing facility and learned about Deere’s recent full acquisition of the plant. They also discussed Deere’s sustainability efforts, which include investing $69 million to build an electric battery plant next door, creating more than 50 good-paying jobs to the local economy. Additionally, Rep. Manning learned everything there is to know about excavators and Deere’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kernersville.
“It was my pleasure to visit John Deere’s manufacturing plant in Kernersville to learn more about the extensive welding and innovative manufacturing process they use to build an incredible variety of excavators, used in small-, medium- and large-scale contracting projects. It was exciting to see how many good-paying jobs John Deere provides and to learn about their commitment to their employees, as well as the company’s history and plans for future expansion. Association of Equipment Manufacturers members contribute over 11 billion to North Carolina’s economy and support 87,000 manufacturing jobs. I’m proud to represent members of the AEM, including John Deere in my district, and will continue to be a steadfast advocate in Congress for bolstering American manufacturing,” said Congresswoman Manning.
Deere and AEM staff highlighted supply chain constraints and labor shortages that continue to create challenges for equipment manufacturers. A number of other key policy issues were discussed, including how Congress can bolster our global competitiveness and encourage innovation by permanently allowing companies to immediately deduct R&D expensing within the same tax year.
“John Deere is proud to work alongside the Association of Equipment Manufacturers supporting congressional engagement and highlighting progress in the construction equipment manufacturing industry. Thank you, U.S. Representative Kathy Manning, for the recent visit to our Kernersville, NC factory. Sharing the vital work of our employees, dealers, and customers is rewarding as we answer the fundamental needs for smarter, safer, and more sustainable solutions,” said John Deere Vice President, Earthmoving Sales, Marketing & Customer Success Jason Daly.
This year, AEM has hosted over a dozen lawmakers at facility visits across the country, sharing our story and the need to support our 2.3 million men and women of the equipment manufacturing industry. To learn more about our advocacy efforts or to find out how you can host an elected official at your facility, please reach out to AEM’s Advocacy Team.
Subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor for more AEM news and updates.
