Panel discussion concludes Dire States tour

Case Construction Equipment addressed the problem with this nation’s crumbling infrastructure during a lively panel discussion titled Dire States and a Call for Change.

On hand were Jim Oberstar, former U.S. congressman and chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; Janet Kavinoky, executive director, transportation and infrastructure, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Dan McNichol, author and infrastructure expert who recently toured the country to survey America’s infrastructure and raise awareness to the need for investment/development; and Jim Hasler, vice president, Case Construction Equipment.

It was a fitting end to McNichol’s infrastructure road trip. The Case booth featured the battered and rusty 1949 Hudson he drove to help illustrate his point.

Companies waste millions of dollars when poor road conditions cause their trucks to be delayed. “If we don’t make these investments, business suffers,” Oberstar said. “There is a business cost for failure to act.”

The panelists agreed that change is needed now. They urged those listening to get involved in their communities, contact their congressional representatives and demand change.

At a Case press conference, Hasler discussed the company’s presence at ConExpo-Con/Agg, including a completely updated and expanded product line. And Peter White, director of global product quality, detailed Case D Series excavators, which feature Tier 4 Final engines, as well as improved power and performance.

Also saying a few words was country-western singer Kip Moore, who will be working with Case to bring attention to the need for improvements in the U.S. infrastructure.