West Frankfort, Ill. – The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and Bit Brokers International hosted U.S. Congressman Mike Bost (R-Ill.) on Thursday, where Rep. Bost met with Bit Brokers International employees and participated in an employee townhall. Rep. Bost also toured the company’s West Frankfort 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.”

“Bit Brokers International was honored to host Congressman Bost at our West Frankfort Facility,” said Tim Thomas, President and Owner of Bit Brokers International. “Thanks to the support of leaders like Rep. Bost, we can continue to manufacture critical components for the equipment that builds and powers America. We are encouraged to hear about his efforts on Capitol Hill that will allow our company and our industry to thrive in Illinois.”

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. 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.”

If you would like to get involved with the I Make America campaign and help us advocate for the policies that are critical to the equipment manufacturing industry’s long-term growth and economic prosperity, please contact Wade Balkonis (wbalkonis@aem.org).

Photos should be attributed to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers.

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About Bit Brokers International
Bit Brokers International was founded in 1988 offering product lines of newly manufactured rotary Tricone drill bits, new/unused surplus Tricones, Hammers and Hammer bits, PDC bits, rebuilt Tricones, Custom built Hole Openers, Drag Bits, Cutters, adapter subs and stabilizers.

Bit Brokers International has reached customers in every state in the U.S., and to over 85 countries. Customer service and satisfaction is number one priority at BBI, and fields one of the most skilled staffs in the rock bit industry. Visit www.bitbrokers.com for more information.

About AEM
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) is the North American-based international trade group representing off-road equipment manufacturers and suppliers, with more than 1,000 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture and construction-related industry sectors worldwide. The equipment manufacturing industry in the United States supports 2.8 million jobs and contributes roughly $288 billion to the economy every year. AEM is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with offices in the world capitals of Washington, D.C.; Ottawa, Canada; and Beijing, China.

Visit www.aem.org/advocacy for more information. 

About I Make America
I Make America is the grassroots campaign of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), which advocates for policies that support manufacturing jobs and help America's equipment manufacturers compete globally.

For more information about I Make America, please visit www.imakeamerica.org.