Sustainability, Technology, and Workforce: The AEM Manufacturing Express Showcases Companies That Drive Manufacturing Forward

As the AEM Manufacturing Express rolls onward into its 11th week of touring, the commitment that the equipment manufacturing industry holds to sustainability, innovative technology, and uplifting its workforce was on full display.

Throughout the last week, the AEM Manufacturing Express made stops in South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Virginia, to visit Spartanburg Steel Products, Power Curbers Companies, Crenlo Engineered Cabs, Conn-Weld Industries, and Old Dominion Brush Company and recognize the incredible impact equipment manufacturing has made throughout our nation.

Throughout the first 11 weeks of the tour, AEM has been celebrating various state's manufacturing legacies, organizational commitments to their workforce, and the impact that equipment manufacturing has had throughout the United States.

At Spartanburg Steel Products, AEM facilitated a celebration of the approximately 400 people that the heavy-duty steel manufacturer employs. CEO Mark Whitten says that community and recognizing the people behind the product are key values that arose from his own past experiences. "I got my start as an hourly manufacturing employee right out of college; it was the best job out there," he says, "But I was always left feeling left out and unrecognized by supervisors. I've carried this with me my entire career and have focused on creating a culture here that treats every employee with dignity and respect."

Spartanburg Steel has certainly made an impact in their community and beyond - highlighting its core values of connection, teamwork, and giving back to the community through charitable giving.

Check out some photos from the event at Spartanburg Steel below, or visit the AEM Manufacturing Express Flickr gallery.

Continuing on to North Carolina's Power Curbers Companies, the AEM Manufacturing Express's 50th stop was certainly one to remember. A family-owned company, Power Curbers has made its mark by inventing the world's first ever curb machine, a product that helps to streamline paving jobs in the construction industry. Bill Robinson has been with Power Curbers for eight years, and is the company's resident grill master, frequently grilling out on his homemade grill for community and company events - including the AEM Manufacturing Express event this past Thursday. The manufacturer has been a shining example of how the equipment manufacturing industry's greatest asset is its people.

Companies like Power Curbers are all about showcasing the importance of focusing on the shop floor, empowering the employees working on the shop floor - work that is driving innovation in the equipment manufacturing industry forward.

Check out some photos from the event at Power Curbers below, or visit the AEM Manufacturing Express Flickr gallery.

Continuing along the route, the bus made its way to Crenlo Engineered Cabs, for an event with over 200 employees and their families, filled with games and camaraderie. The organization has supplied engineered cabs to top OEM manufacturers in the agriculture, construction, forestry, military, mining, rail, and specialty truck markets since 1951, and has been a pillar in its Greenville, Tennessee community.

Check out some photos from the event at Crenlo below, or visit the AEM Manufacturing Express Flickr gallery.

On Tuesday, AEM visited a manufacturer of vibrating screening equipment, sieves, and various components, Conn-Weld Industries, in Princeton, West Virginia for an event with employees, their families, and members of the local community. The company continuously focuses on investing in technology, emphasizing the industry's focus on technological advancements and innovation.

The sense of community that has been built at the company was clear as day at its Friday event, as employees played the Manufacturing Challenge game and shared in food and fun for the whole family.

Check out some photos from the event at Conn-Weld below, or visit the AEM Manufacturing Express Flickr gallery.

At Old Dominion Brush Company, the AEM Manufacturing Express was greeted by the smiling faces of employees and company leadership. The street sweeper manufacturer makes it clear that sustainability is one of their core values - creating equipment that keeps streets clean in cities across the country. The company also focuses on building the manufacturing workforce, frequently opening its doors for education and outreach in the community.

Check out some photos from the event at Old Dominion Brush Company below, or visit the AEM Manufacturing Express Flickr gallery.

In the coming week, the AEM Manufacturing Express will continue on to Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Kentucky to visit Volvo Construction Company, Eagle Crusher Company, Gradall Industries, FECON, and LBX Company.

About the AEM Manufacturing Express

The most ambitious and impactful public engagement initiative in AEM's 130-year history, the AEM Manufacturing Express is an interactive mobile tour that will cover 20 states and make stops at more than 80 equipment manufacturers' facilities in the Midwest, South, Mid-Atlantic, and states around the Great Lakes this summer and into the fall. Stay in the know on all things AEM Manufacturing Express by visiting www.manufacturingexpress.org.

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