Today, Texas Association of Business President Chris Wallace joined NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons at the Bell Helicopter Training Academy in Fort Worth, Texas, for the 2016 State of Manufacturing Tour. Wallace moderated a Q&A forum between Timmons, Siemens Vice President of Aerospace and Defense Strategy David Riemer and Bell Helicopter Executive Vice President of Integrated Operations Gunnar Kleveland.
Wallace (right) moderates a panel with (from left) Riemer, Timmons and Kleveland. Photo by David Bohrer/NAM.
Wallace emphasized the need for Washington to get serious about key policy priorities.
“We are proud to partner with the NAM in highlighting the importance of manufacturing in Texas,” said Wallace. “The success of our manufacturers is critical to our state, which is why it’s important for Washington to embrace policies that keep manufacturers innovating, competing and, therefore, growing. Energy and infrastructure represent two key areas where lawmakers can work to give manufacturers in Texas as well as throughout the country a leg up.”
Wallace also joined Timmons and the NAM team for a shop floor meet-and-greet with Bell Helicopter employees.
“Today’s event at Bell Helicopter showcases the innovative technology generated by this sector and the power of manufacturing. Let’s keep manufacturers like Bell competitive by giving them the tools they need to grow and succeed,” Wallace said.
As part of the 2016 State of Manufacturing Tour, Timmons is visiting with local manufacturers, employees, students, business and community leaders and elected officials across New Hampshire, Florida, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Texas and Maryland. Timmons is highlighting the real-world solutions needed to allow the U.S. economy and manufacturers to thrive. Manufacturing supports an estimated 18.5 million jobs in the United States, including 863,900 jobs in Texas, and contributes $2.17 trillion to the U.S. economy.
To read an op-ed by Timmons and Wallace’s colleague, Texas Association of Business State Board Chair Sara Tays, in today’s Fort Worth Star-Telegram, click here.
Learn more about the State of Manufacturing Tour here.
Follow the tour on Twitter: @ShopFloorNAM #StateofMFG.