MENDOTA – HCC, Inc., a leading manufacturer of agricultural harvesting equipment components, hosted a stop of the AEM (Association of Equipment Manufacturers) Manufacturing Express on Oct. 3 at its facility in Mendota. This event was part of a national tour celebrating the critical role of equipment manufacturing across the U.S., highlighting HCC’s long-standing contributions to the agriculture sector and local community.
The AEM Manufacturing Express tour stop at HCC, Inc. included a view of its facility, a presentation on the company’s innovative agricultural products, and insights from HCC’s leadership. Attendees learned about the company’s steel fabrication operations and its position as a leader in the manufacturing of combine reels, sieves, and chaffers. The event also emphasized HCC’s positive impact on local job creation and economic development.
Brian Nelson, CEO of HCC, Inc., and Mark Lamboley, Director of Business Development, welcomed representatives of AEM.
AEM has been on the road this summer and fall for an unprecedented initiative to tell the story of the U.S. equipment manufacturing industry and celebrate the 2.3 million men and women who help build, power, and feed the world.
The “AEM Manufacturing Express” launched on July 1, at Weiler, Inc. in Knoxville, Iowa and is traveling across the country through October when it will wrap up with a finale event at Komatsu in Milwaukee, Wis., on Oct. 18. The tour will visit more than 20 states, with stops planned at more than 80 equipment manufacturers in communities across the Midwest, Southeast, and Mid-Atlantic.
The full route is available on the tour’s official website: www.manufacturingexpress.org.
“The ‘AEM Manufacturing Express’ is hitting the road to celebrate the equipment manufacturing industry and highlight its vital role in building a modern and resilient infrastructure, putting food on people’s tables, and powering vital public services and utilities,” said AEM President Megan Tanel. “Behind every piece of equipment is a story, and we are excited to tell the stories of the 2.3 million men and women of our industry and highlight how their grit, determination, and can-do spirit have been pivotal to the American way of life.”
The centerpiece of the “AEM Manufacturing Express” tour is an interactive game designed to showcase the cutting-edge technology and innovations that power modern equipment and test players’ knowledge about the innovative technologies, processes, people, and products revolutionizing equipment manufacturing across America.
Elected officials will join manufacturing workers and their friends and families along the route as the “AEM Manufacturing Express” celebrates the industry’s many contributions to small towns and big cities across the country. Each stop will feature the interactive game, thought leadership, giveaways, food, and entertainment to tell the story of equipment manufacturing in America, while also highlighting the policies that will strengthen the industry.
“Hitting the road during a critical election year, the ‘AEM Manufacturing Express’ provides us with the opportunity to engage manufacturing workers in the political process, connect with elected officials and candidates, and keep our industry front and center,” said Kip Eideberg, AEM’s Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations. “Harnessing the voices and stories of our member companies, we will leverage our fiercely bipartisan approach to advocacy to advance policies that will strengthen the economy and move our industry forward.”
