Press Releases

Sugarcreek, OH – Today, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and The Belden Brick Company hosted Rep. Bob Gibbs (OH-7) for a facility tour and employee town hall to discuss the positive impact of tax reform and other ways Congress can better serve the interests of Ohio manufacturers, manufacturing workers and their families.

Thanks to Rep. Gibbs’ support for tax reform, manufacturers in Ohio and across America are delivering for manufacturing workers and their communities, said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. Last year, manufacturers said that if tax reform became law we would raise wages, hire new workers, buy equipment and make investments for the future. Now, manufacturers like The Belden Brick Company are keeping our promise, and America is better for it. Tax reform is empowering us to improve lives and livelihoods, and manufacturers are grateful for Rep. Gibbs’ leadership in making that possible.

During the visit, company leaders thanked Rep. Gibbs for voting in favor of the historic tax reform package and reiterated their optimism for the future of manufacturing in Ohio.

We are seeing incredible economic growth because of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the rollback of burdensome and unnecessary regulations, said Rep. Gibbs. A big part of that growth is the manufacturing renaissance America is experiencing. The vast majority of manufacturers are taking advantage of this positive economic climate, with plans to hire more workers and increase investments in their businesses. Manufacturers like Belden Brick fuel job growth, giving Americans more opportunities for work and making their communities a better place.

The roundtable focused on the importance of building on the momentum of tax reform to ensure manufacturers can continue to invest in their businesses and workers.

I want to thank Bob Gibbs for his role in the successful efforts to reduce taxes and regulations, said Bob Belden, chairman, president and CEO of The Belden Brick Company. These reforms have made it easier for The Belden Brick Company to invest in new equipment and capital improvements. His efforts are a key part of rebuilding and sustaining a healthier manufacturing climate in Ohio and across the United States.

Manufacturing contributes an estimated $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy and supports 687,400 jobs in Ohio alone, according to the NAM. Since the enactment of tax reform, the manufacturing industry has added 192,000 jobs—more than double the number of jobs created over the same period last year.

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.