HOUSTON, TX — The Association of Equipment Manufacturers' AEM Manufacturing Express has concluded its month-long tour of the equipment manufacturing capital of America, Texas. The tour, which launched in Mount Pleasant and concluded in Houston, traveled to 22 manufacturers across 17 Texas cities, celebrating the 345,000 men and women of the Texas equipment manufacturing industry — more than any other state.

The tour followed last year’s historic and award-winning tour across 22 states and 80 facilities. Across the 22 Texas stops, over a dozen local, state, and federal lawmakers took facility tours, joined in celebratory festivities, and heard directly from workers in the industry.

“From visits to family-owned manufacturers to global brands, this month’s tour was a strong reminder of the far-reaching impact of our industry,” AEM President and CEO Megan Tanel said. “We were grateful to put a spotlight on the people that make our industry stronger. Every worker we met along the tour has a story, and those stories deserve to be told.”

Each stop of the tour invited attendees to play the “Manufacturing Challenge,” an interactive game testing knowledge of the equipment manufacturing industry, for a chance to win giveaways. Attendees were also invited to become advocates for the industry by joining AEM’s national grassroots campaign, I Make America.

“As the equipment manufacturing capital of America, Texas leads by example: investing in its workforce, understanding the promise of American manufacturing, and championing pro-growth policies,” said Kip Eideberg, AEM Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations. “Our month-long tour was about celebrating this success, and most importantly, the people that work behind the scenes. From welders to engineers, the equipment manufacturing industry is only as strong as its people, and this tour was about recognizing their role in making America — and the world.”