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AEM: economy is top issue ahead of midterm election  

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) says the economy is the top issue for the equipment manufacturing industry ahead of the 2022 Midterm elections.

Kip Eideberg is the senior vice president of government and industry relations with AEM.

“The issues top of mind for equipment manufacturers are pretty much the same issues that are top of mind for the American voter. Poll after poll shows that the economy is the top issue and, in fact, the recent survey of 100 manufacturing CEOs echoed this sentiment,” he says. “Most manufacturing leaders believe that there is an urgent need to bolster American competitiveness by addressing supply chain challenges, skilled labor shortages, and trade imbalances. It is the economy for voters, more so perhaps inflation, the costs of goods, and the cost of energy. And it’s the economy for equipment manufacturing companies whether it’s supply chains, skilled labor, or trade imbalance.”  

He says the organization is hopeful the new Congress will help boost supply chains, invest in workers, and address tariffs.

“We saw some good news earlier this year with the CHIPS and Science Act as well as the Ocean Shipping Reform Act that will hopefully help unclog some of the congestion we see at US ports and help bring home production of some critical components, but that will take some time,” he says. “We will continue to encourage them to find creative ways to invest in the American worker; money for community colleges, money for technical programs, money for apprenticeship programs at equipment manufacturing facilities. We’ll also continue to remind (lawmakers) that tariffs do continue to hurt equipment manufacturing. Tariffs are taxes and there is a way for them to try to address some of those tariffs and maybe start looking at some trade agreements with partners around the world so we can sell more products to markets.”

Eideberg says it’s critical to vote.

“Whether it’s the 40,000 supporters that are part of our grassroots campaign, I make America; whether it’s the 2.8 million men and women of the industry; whether it’s folks that we meet with as we travel around the country to visit equipment manufacturing facilities, our advice is to get informed on the issues, candidates, and what’s going to make a difference for your family and community and then get out and vote,” he says. “That takes effort, and some people have to plan ahead and make plans to get to the voting booth if they’re not voting ahead. It’s an investment in yourself, your family, your community, and our country.”

Eideberg says AEM will be prepared to remind lawmakers to live up to their promises once they return to or assume office.

Audio: Kip Eideberg