AEM asks governors to designate manufacturers, dealers as ‘essential’

Slater

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) joined a number of other associations to urge the nation’s governors to designate equipment manufacturers, suppliers and dealers, as well as service technicians, as “essential” to the economic continuity of the states as they continue to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

“As our nation confronts the unprecedented challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we call on the nation’s governors to recognize the essential role that equipment manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and service technicians play in feeding our people, connecting our nation and powering our homes and hospitals,” says Dennis Slater, president of AEM. “As our nation’s governors take steps to protect Americans from the spread of COVID-19, AEM and our industry partners urge them to consider the essential role that our industry plays to the health and economic well-being of communities across the country.”

Brian McGuire, president and CEO of the Associated Equipment Distributors, joined Slater in his message to the nation’s governors.

“We are in a unique situation, but our nation has faced many challenges before,” says Brian McGuire, president and CEO of AED. “It’s imperative that our nation’s governors balance health and safety with economic consequences. Companies that supply the equipment and perform the needed service and maintenance on the machinery are essential to ensure vital infrastructure projects are able to continue uninterrupted.”

AEM is the North American-based international trade group representing off-road equipment manufacturers and suppliers, with more than 1,000 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture and construction-related industry sectors worldwide. The equipment manufacturing industry in the United States supports 2.8 million jobs and contributes roughly $288 billion to the economy every year, according to AEM.

AED, meanwhile, is the trade association representing companies that sell, rent, service and manufacture construction, mining, farming, energy, forestry, industrial equipment and related supplies. AED’s 500 distributor members, which are predominantly small-medium-sized, family-owned businesses, have more than 3,500 locations, employ 150,000 workers and account for more than $60 billion of annual sales revenue, according to AED.

For additional P&Q coverage related to the coronavirus, visit our dedicated webpage.