MILWAUKEE – The Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) announced the 2020 recipients of its annual Advocates Program awards, which recognize outstanding commitment by AEM members to industry advocacy efforts.

This year, 28 member companies received AEM Advocates Program Gold award for achieving the highest level of participation in grassroots mobilization and outreach.

In addition, two companies received the Advocates Program’s highest honor, the Pillar of the Industry award, for reaching Gold status for five consecutive years.

“During a year when our nation has faced historic challenges, we have seen how critical equipment manufacturers are to the U.S. economy,” said AEM President Dennis Slater. “The 2.8 million men and women of our industry have been essential in keeping first responders and critical supplies moving during this months-long pandemic.”

The AEM Advocates Program recognizes and celebrates AEM member companies that help advance the industry’s policy priorities through various advocacy efforts, including participating in the association’s state and federal advocacy efforts, public affairs initiatives, and grassroots advocacy campaign, I Make America.

“Equipment manufacturers are not only the backbone of the American economy, but they play an essential role in building, powering, and feeding our country,” said Kip Eideberg, Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations for AEM. Because of our member companies’ active involvement, we ensured that equipment manufacturers were designated as essential businesses and kept their operations running. As our nation continues to navigate the extraordinary set of challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we will keep telling our industry’s story to the 117th Congress and the incoming administration.”

AEM announced the Advocates Program awards at its recent annual conference of member companies.

2020 Pillar of the Industry Award Winners

  • AGCO Corporation
  • Custom Products of Litchfield, Inc.

2020 Gold Award Winners

  • Asphalt Drum Mixers, Inc.
  • Astec Industries, Inc.
  • Blount International, Inc.
  • Caterpillar, Inc.
  • Cemen Tech, Inc.
  • CLAAS of America, Inc.
  • CNH Industrial America, LLC
  • Deere & Company
  • Doosan Bobcat, Inc.
  • Dynapac North American, LLC
  • General Kinematics Corporation
  • Gradall Industries, Inc.
  • JLG Industries, Inc.
  • Komatsu America Corporation
  • Kondex Corporation
  • Morbark, LLC
  • Power Curbers Companies, LLC
  • Stellar Industries, Inc.
  • Sullair, LLC
  • Superior Industries, Inc.
  • Terex Corporation
  • Two Rivers Marketing
  • Vermeer Corporation
  • Volvo Construction Equipment North America, LLC
  • VT Leeboy, Inc.
  • Weiler