Waukesha, Wis. – On Friday, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) hosted United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue at Almon Inc. The visit comes as millions of manufacturing workers, educators, students, and community leaders across the nation celebrate Manufacturing Day, an annual event that celebrates modern manufacturing and highlights the manufacturing sector’s contributions to our communities and our economy.

Almon Inc. is a Waukesha-based product support that works with leading off-road heavy equipment manufacturers to develop technical manuals, explainer videos, training, 3D models/animations, and apps. Sec. Perdue’s visit to Almon, Inc. comes as the Department of Agriculture continues its work to engage the American public on the Ag Innovation Agenda, a department-wide initiative to give farmers the tools they need to be successful and aims to reduce inputs by 50 percent while increasing food production by 40 percent 2050.

“I celebrated National Manufacturing Day with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers in Waukesha, Wisconsin at Almon Inc., a leader in agricultural equipment manufacturing that helps our farmers lead the world in productivity,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “President Trump fought for American jobs through new trade deals like USMCA to ensure our great manufacturers create jobs right here in America.”

“The equipment manufacturing industry plays a critical role in driving innovation in the agriculture space and supporting long-term sustainability,” said Curt Blades, Senior Vice President of Ag Services for AEM. “We were honored to host Secretary Perdue at Almon Inc., whose services complements and contributes so much towards the goals of USDA’s Ag Innovation Agenda. As we celebrate Manufacturing Day, it is important to remember that agriculture and equipment manufacturers have a symbiotic relationship; one cannot thrive without the other. AEM and its member companies will continue to support our country’s agricultural community, because when farmers succeed, we all succeed.”

“There has never been a more exciting time to be supporting agriculture and manufacturers” said Aaron Montoure, Vice President at Almon Inc. “Technology is driving rapid innovation in the productivity of equipment and how it’s maintained. The changing demographics of the workforce provide challenges but many more opportunities. The future is bright as AEM and its members are at the forefront of ensuring farmers’ success. We are humbled that AEM invited us to host Secretary Perdue and look forward to continued support of the USDA’s Ag Innovation Agenda.”

Photos must be attributed to Almon, Inc.