KATY, TX KOBELCO Construction Machinery USA will be honored with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers' (AEM) prestigious Pillar of the Industry award.

This award reflects the hard work and dedication KOBELCO put forth to improve the business environment for the equipment manufacturing industry during this election year. KOBELCO will be applauded for its efforts in advocating pro-manufacturing solutions to elected leaders and voters, as well as its participation in AEM's I Make America program. 

"With a new Congress and administration in Washington this year, equipment manufacturers did a better job than ever at communicating our industry's priorities to our elected leaders," said AEM President Dennis Slater. "AEM is thrilled to honor KOBELCO USA as a Pillar of the Industry for their outstanding commitment to advancing policy priorities essential to the equipment manufacturing industry."

To be eligible for AEM's Pillar of the Industry award, KOBELCO was required to meet a series of qualifications that captured the many ways in which manufacturers could advocate for industry issues. KOBELCO achieved this status by: hosting an elected AEM official at their facility, meeting with a Congressional Representative in Washington D.C. and holding an I Make America sign-up event at its North American headquarters, among other criteria.

This year's I Make America campaign - themed "Our Products. Our Jobs." - brought a record number of elected officials to AEM member companies across the country. In addition, AEM members descended upon Washington in September for the first-ever I Make America Fly-In, where member company executives visited with 100 congressional offices and Trump administration officials to advance the industry's policy priorities.

"KOBELCO takes great pride in being an influence that shapes the manufacturing industry of America," said Pete Morita, Vice President - Excavator Division of KOBELCO USA. "Our commitment to educating the industry's men and women on current manufacturing events helps support US infrastructure and foster growth and development.