AEM Manufacturing Express makes a pitstop at local business

PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) – The Association of Equipment Manufacturers, or AEM, is touring the nation to shine a light on American-made products.

They stopped in Princeton to visit Conn-Weld Industries.

Those with the organization wanted to recognize Conn-Weld Industries’ hard work and their contributions to society.

State Auditor J.B. McCuskey joined in on the festivities to show his gratitude.

“West Virginia has long been a hub of incredible welding, incredible manufacturing, and support for not just our coal industry, but our…our hard rock industries, as well as farming and timber,” said McCusky.

Nicholas Rudowich, the director of state affairs for AEM explained why they incorporated Conn-Weld into their national tour.

“It is not done without the men and women who are working inside the building that is right here. Those are the people that really matter. It helps us get their story out about them, about the people who work here at Conn-Weld, who are multigenerational, multi-decade employees who really put the effort into making American manufacturing great,” said Rudowich.

Conn-Weld President, Marvin Woodie Jr. also gave out tours of their facilities to enlighten attendees on what they do at Conn-Weld.

State Auditor McCuskey was one of those who took the tour and says it was an eye opener.

The biggest thing that stood out to him was the manufacturing of screens at Conn-Weld.

These screens aid in the functioning of the chemical industry, rare earth minerals, as well as our food supply.

“They are going all over the world. [Conn-well] are in competition with China, like so many other manufacturing companies, but they beat them because their people are better, because their products are better, and because they last longer. So, what this is really proof positive of is that American manufacturing isn’t just a number on a spreadsheet. It is about producing a product and creating a life for the employees at these companies,” said McCusky.

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