The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association recently met with 150 members of Congress to address key issues important to the industry and push for the organization's legislative agenda.


MEMA discussed greater research and development investment, retooling assistance to help facilities become more energy efficient, ways to ease access to credit, incentives to purchase technologies to make heavy-duty vehicles safer and more fuel efficient, the benefits of remanufacturing and the importance of a national vehicle safety inspection program.

"Parts manufacturers are the nation's largest manufacturing sector and provide quality jobs in communities all across the United States," said Bob McKenna, MEMA's president and CEO. "We came to discuss policies that will help our country retain valuable domestic manufacturing jobs so the supplier industry can keep developing and manufacturing the technology that is making today's vehicles safer and more fuel efficient."

The Legislative Summit, held April 29, also included a Ride and Drive event as well as a Supplier Fair on Capitol Hill to give elected officials a chance to learn more about the motor vehicle supplier industry's advanced technologies in the areas of safety and fuel efficiency. MEMA concluded the Summit by presenting its annual Joseph M. Magliochetti Industry Champion Award to Rep. Gary Peters (D-Mich.).

"We believe our message was very well received and look forward to our continued work with the House and Senate to advance issues critical to our industry," McKenna said.