Association of Equipment Manufacturers
- Milwaukee, Washington, Ottawa, and Beijing
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is a North American trade association representing off-road equipment manufacturers and suppliers. AEM represents more than 1,000 companies with more than 200 product lines in agriculture and construction-related industry sectors worldwide. AEM is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[1][2][3]
History
AEM's origins extend as far back as 1894 when a trade association for farm equipment was founded. This group merged with another organization representing manufacturers of construction equipment and changed its name to the Association of Equipment manufacturers in 2002.[4] The merger was effective on January 1, 2002. These predecessor organizations were the Equipment Manufacturers Institute (EMI) and the Construction Industry Manufacturers Association (CIMA).[5][6]
EMI members were agricultural, industrial, and construction equipment manufacturers. CIMA served manufacturers of construction equipment and related products. The two associations believed that by combining they would have a stronger voice in policy, be able to offer more services, and develop more international trade opportunities.[7]
Post-merger
In 2015, AEM renewed its "Alliance Agreement" with the Mine Safety and Health Administration. The agreement facilitates providing mining workers with training on the safety information. The arrangement is authorized by statute.[8]
As of 2017, AEM was based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with offices in the District of Columbia, Beijing, and Ottawa.[4]
From 1998 to 2021, AEM increased its membership by 50%. Over the same period, its annual budget grew by 700% to $60 million.[9]
Advocacy
AEM's political advocacy focuses on infrastructure improvements, improving the health of the rural economy with a special emphasis on farming and small towns, workforce issues such as job training, international trade, industrial policy, taxes, and immigration.[10]
In 2024, AEM conducted the Manufacturing Express bus tour, which visited equipment manufacturing sites in 80 communities across the United States. The tour promoted the "contributions of our industry's workers to local economies and our nation's prosperity." Tour stops included meetings with policymakers on policies important to AEM members.[11]
Right-to-repair legislation
In July 2024, AEM signed a letter to members of both the House Committee on Armed Services and the Senate Committee on Armed Services opposing Section 828 of S. 4628, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025, entitled "Requirement for Contractors to Provide Reasonable Access to Repair Materials," which would require contractors doing business with the US military to agree "to provide the Department of Defense fair and reasonable access to all the repair materials, including parts, tools, and information, used by the manufacturer or provider or their authorized partners to diagnose, maintain, or repair the good or service."[12]
Leadership
Todd Stucke
As of 2024, the chairman of AEM was Todd Stucke. Stucke is the president of Kubota Tractor Corp. Stuck was elected to AEM's board in the capacity of treasure in 2019.[13] Stucke was also named an executive officer of Kubota Corp. of Japan. He has been a senior executive at Kubota Tractor Corp. since 2013.[14][15]
Megan Tanel
As of 2024, the president of AEM was Megan Tanel. Tanel joined AEM in 1995 as a vice president specializing in event management. Tanel holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.[16][17] In 2017, Tanel was given the Woman of Achievement Award by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events.[18]
Members
As of 2017, AEM had 975 members. These include most of the large manufacturers in the off-road equipment industry.[4] As of 2021, this had increased to over 1,000 members[5]
Events
AEM holds many educational events, conferences, and trade shows.[4][17]
Trade shows
Conexpo-Con/Agg
Conexpo-Con/Agg is the western hemisphere's largest construction trade show representing asphalt, aggregates, concrete, earthmoving, lifting, mining, utilities and more. Conexpo-Con/Agg is a result of the merger of Conexpo and Con/Agg in 1996.[19] It is held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. [20][21]
In 1909, the first Conexpo was held in Columbus, Ohio, and the first Con/Agg was held in Detroit Michigan in 1928. The first joint show was held in 1996 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Conexpo-Con/Agg has gone on to become the western hemisphere's largest show for the construction and construction materials industries.[22]
Conexpo-Con/Agg is one of a few of trade shows that participate in the federal International Buyer Program. This program makes it easier for international attendees to come to the show and conduct business. AEM provides numerous on-site services for such attendees to make it easier for them to do business at the show. The United States Export-Import Bank also attends to facilitate deals between exhibitors and international buyers.[23]
Other events
Product Safety & Compliance and Liability Seminars
AEM hosts annual Product Safety & Compliance and Liability Seminars. These provide education on industry-relevant risk assessment, hazard communication, technical publications, regulatory compliance, incident investigation, litigation, etc.[24]
Celebration of Modern Ag
AEM holds an annual event in Washington, DC called the Celebration of Modern Ag. The purpose of the event is to promote the benefits of modern farming technology.[25]
Publications
AEM publishes the "State of the Ag Industry Outlook." This publication forecasts sales of farm equipment.[26]
Awards
AEM Hall of Fame
AEM inducts honorees into its Hall of Fame to educate the public and other stakeholders about the importance of the off-road equipment industry. Inductees are people who have "invented, managed, built and led the off-road equipment industry."[27]
Some notable inductees are:[28]
- Joseph Cyril Bamford (1916–2001), founder of JCB
- Sir Anthony Bamford (born 1945), son of above
- Daniel Best founder of Best Manufacturing Company
- J. I. Case (1819–1891), founder of Case Corporation
- William Dana Ewart, founder of Link-Belt Construction Equipment Company
- Ronald M. DeFeo, Terex
- Donald V. Fites, Caterpillar Inc.
- J.C. Gorman, Gorman-Rupp Company
- John L. Grove (1921–2003), founder of Grove Manufacturing Company
- Henry Harnishfeger (1855–1930), P&H Mining
- Benjamin Holt (1849–1920), founder of Holt Manufacturing Company
- Simon Ingersoll (1818–1894), founder of Ingersoll Rock Drill Company
- R. G. LeTourneau (1888–1969), earthmover
- Hans Liebherr, Liebherr Group
- William Otis (1813–1839), inventor of the steam shovel
Manufacturing Trailblazer
AEM offers a lifetime achievement award called the Manufacturing Trailblazer to important industry figures.[29]
References
- ^ "Trade Associations: Association of Equipment Manufacturers". American National Standards Institute. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Staff. "AEM: Association of Equipment Manufacturers". BIC Magazine. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Ianelli, Nick (7 May 2024). "Why tractors, combines and other farming equipment are parked on the National Mall". WTOP. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ a b c d Ferlaino, Jessica. "Defining the Future of Manufacturing". Manufacturing in Focus. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ a b Doyle, Marcia (9 August 2021). "AEM's Slater to Retire, Tanel to Take Helm of Equipment Association". Equipment World. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ Staff (1 November 2001). "CIMA and EMI Approve Merger". Rental Equipment Register. PRIMEDIA.
- ^ Staff (1 February 2002). "Equipment manufacturers unite". Farm Industry News.
- ^ "The Association of Equipment Manufacturers". United States Department of Labor.
- ^ Staff (1 February 2021). "Notable Alumni: Dennis Slater". BizTimes. Milwaukee Business News. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ "AEM'S 2024 POLICY PRIORITIES". Association of Equipment Manufacturers. AEM.
- ^ Smith, Anna (3 July 2024). "So That Happened: Another Industrial Cyberattack". Industry Week. Endeavor Business Media.
- ^ Koebler, Jason (2024-08-28). "Appliance and Tractor Companies Lobby Against Giving the Military the Right to Repair". 404 Media. Archived from the original on 2024-08-29. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ "TODD STUCKE". Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ Sutton, Rod (9 November 2023). "Stucke named president of Kubota Tractor". Construction Equipment. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ "Kubota Tractor's Todd Stucke Elected to AEM Board of Directors". For Construction Pros. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ Tanel, Megan. "MEGAN TANEL". Association of Equipment Manufacturers.
- ^ a b Zimmerman, Cindy (8 May 2024). "AEM President Pleased to Promote Ag Technology". AgWired. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ Staff (3 May 2017). "AEM's Megan Tanel receives Woman of Achievement Award". ROCK TO ROAD. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ Haycraft, William R. (2002). Yellow Steel: The Story of the Earthmoving Equipment Industry. University of Illinois Press. pp. 366–367. ISBN 0-2520-7104-2.
- ^ "Conexpo-Con/Agg 2014 - The Trade show for construction and construction materials". Retrieved 2011-09-24.
- ^ Miskelly, Matthew (2006). Trade Shows Worldwide. Cengage Gale. p. 1557. ISBN 0-7876-8968-8.
- ^ "A glimpse of tradeshow history | Exhibit City News". www.exhibitcitynews.com. Retrieved 2017-04-25.
- ^ Kral, Steve (1 July 2022). "ore than 110,000 attend ConExpo in Las Vegas". Mining Engineering.
- ^ Staff (13 April 2024). "Clarion Safety Systems' Standards Expert is a Featured Instructor at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers Annual Product Safety and Stewardship Conference". Global Data Point. Syndigate.
- ^ Staff (6 May 2024). "Association of Equipment Manufacturers breaks down what is going on at the 2nd Celebration of Modern Ag in DC". RFD TV. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
- ^ Everly, John (3 February 2002). "Local dealers optimistic on tractor sales; Farm equipment: Trade group predicts decline". Telegraph Herald. Woodward Communications.
- ^ "AEM announces new inductees into Equipment Manufacturing Hall of Fame". Asphalt Magazine. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
- ^ "Inductees". Association of Equipment Manufacturers Hall of fame web site. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
- ^ Staff (29 May 2024). "anufacturers' Association Awards Ceremony Recognizes Leading Businesses,John L. Grove Awarded Manufacturing Trailblazer Award". Franklin County Free Press.