Congressman Bost Tours Bit Brokers International

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and Bit Brokers International hosted U.S. Congressman Mike Bost (R-Ill.) on June 3, where Rep. Bost met with Bit Brokers International employees and participated in an employee townhall.

Rep. Bost also toured the company’s West Frankfort, Illinois, facility while discussing the most pressing public policy issues facing Bit Brokers and other equipment manufacturers as the industry continues to navigate the impact of the pandemic.

“Thank you to Bit Brokers International and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers for the opportunity to visit today to meet with employees and tour your facilities,” said Rep. Bost. “In Illinois alone, the equipment manufacturing industry supports jobs for 245,000 workers, including many here in Franklin County. Bit Brokers International makes tools used in the construction and energy industries, helping put a roof over our heads and keeping the lights on in our homes. I will continue to support policies that empower our small businesses and manufacturers to grow so that they can support their employees and communities.”

I Make America, AEM’s national grassroots campaign, works throughout the year to host elected officials and other policymakers at member companies’ facilities across the United States. Bit Brokers International manufactures, sources, and resurfaces bits used in off-road heavy equipment.

“It was with great pleasure to welcome Congressman Bost. It is nice to know that we have representation that is actually fighting for companies like ours in this area,” said Chester Thomas, JD, in house counsel, sales and marketing for Bit Brokers International. “We are in rural area and often get overlooked, but Congressman Bost makes sure that we get the representation that we need.”

Employees asked the Congressman about a variety of issues, including how Congress is working to support U.S. manufacturing, alleviate ongoing supply chain issues resulting from the pandemic, and build a 21st century manufacturing workforce.

“It has never been more important for the 2.8 million men and women of the equipment manufacturing industry to advocate for pro-manufacturing policies, from protecting and growing the manufacturing workforce to making sure that equipment manufacturers can continue to compete in the global economy,” said Kip Eideberg, AEM senior vice president of Government and Industry Relations. “We greatly appreciate the partnership Bit Brokers International to make sure that equipment manufacturing in Americas is as strong as it can be, for our communities, for our workers, and for our future. We would like to thank Congressman Bost for his leadership on behalf of our industry and his focus on commonsense, bipartisan solutions to our nation’s greatest challenges.”

To become involved with the I Make America campaign and help AEM advocate for the policies that are critical to the equipment manufacturing industry’s long-term growth and economic prosperity, contact Wade Balkonis at wbalkonis@aem.org.