As a manufacturer of precision machined products, we, at Nolte, believe we have a responsibility to stay abreast of current legislation that impacts our industry. Decisions being made in Washington have a direct effect on precision machined component businesses. It is critical that we, as business leaders, not only stay informed, but make sure our elected officials are also informed about the facts regarding our industry. The Precision Machined Products Association (PMPA) Washington DC Fly-In events provide precision metalworking industry professionals with the opportunity to have their voices heard by legislators.
Nolte’s President, Doug Coster, was excited to take part in the most recent Washington, DC Fly-In, which took place March 9 – 10, 2012. PMPA arranged the visit through its lobbying firm, The Franklin Partnership, and on behalf of its Government Affairs Committee. As part of a group of 34 precision machining industry representatives, Doug had the opportunity to engage legislators and government agency representatives in discussions regarding issues such as health care, tax policy, currency exchange, cap and trade, card check and others impacting our industry and businesses. Meetings and a tour with White House officials, as well as 75 congressional visits were arranged for the PMPA group, during which these important issues where discussed.
Additionally, Doug and other precision machining industry representatives met with members of the White House Executive Staff to discuss job creation, business expansion, and workforce development. Important conversation was conducted regarding the current skill gaps in the manufacturing trades creating barriers and limits to industry and job growth, such as the need for more qualified engineering talent to operate cutting edge CNC turning and milling equipment. Members of the Executive Staff included representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration, White House Business Council, Office of Science and Technology, Office of Public Engagement, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Labor, Domestic Policy Council, and Manufacturing Policy.
To maintain the momentum of PMPA’s successful Washington, D.C. Fly-In, Nolte plans to take part in the next event, scheduled for October 2-3, 2012. According to PMPA, the timing on this event:
“While Congress will pass few laws between now and the election, after America votes, Congress will return to Washington for a “lame duck” session where they will have to prevent $5.4 trillion in tax increases, $600 billion in spending cuts, and address issues from the Bush Tax Cuts to the Workforce Investment Act.”
PMPA believes that by scheduling the fly-in for early October, attendees will have the opportunity to directly inform their elected officials about the importance of manufacturing, as they are campaigning. They believe the timing will better position PMPA, heading into the lame duck session, having recently briefed members of Congress about their priorities on pressing issues such as tax reform.
Nolte Precise Manufacturing, Inc. is a family-owned precision machining business. Established in 1916 by Louis G. Nolte, a screw machine operator at Cincinnati Milling Machine, the company now includes the fourth generation of precision machining experts. Offering a complete portfolio of services, Nolte employs the latest technologies available for CNC turning, CNC milling, CNC Swiss, automatic screw machine, and assembly processes. Metal removal processes include turning, milling, drilling, boring, grinding, broaching, honing, and more. Nolte is a registered ISO 9001: 2008 compliant machining company.