MEMA Launches Grassroots Effort to Introduce Members of Congress to Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing Facilities

Washington, DC – July 15, 2019 – The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association has launched a new effort to connect its 1,000 company members with federal legislators to discuss how decisions made in Washington impact local businesses and their communities.

The first phase of the Supplier Advocacy Network (S.A.N.) will span 12 states and 48 Representatives and will entail member companies hosting industry roundtable discussions and manufacturing facility tours during the upcoming August Congressional Recess. The goal is to allow members of Congress to better understand motor vehicle parts suppliers, which together are the largest sector of manufacturing jobs in the United States, and the issues that impact their ability to grow investments and jobs in their districts.

“The supplier industry is facing a critical time with the wave of new policies directly impacting our companies. We at MEMA have worked hard to be the voice of this invaluable industry for 115 years. We advocate for those policies that best promote growth and strength for the supplier industry.  We have made great strides on the federal level, becoming a strong voice on Capitol Hill and across trade associations. With this success, we are now pushing to a new frontier,” said MEMA President and CEO Bill Long.

“We believe our members will be able to best tell the story of the supplier industry and demonstrate the importance of our manufacturers to the American economy.” Long continued. “Additionally, the Supplier Advocacy Network is an important step in advancing our member companies’ business interests locally through grassroots advocacy.”

MEMA and its divisions will post social media updates about the effort in the upcoming months. Interested parties can follow the discussion on Twitter and other social media platforms using the hashtags #SuppliersAreTheBestPart and #SupplierAdvocacyNetwork.

Companies who would like to participate in the program will be provided support from MEMA staff, including meeting facilitation, print material, templates, talking points, and other relevant materials. For more information or if your company would like to participate in the program, contact Melanie Weiland at mweiland@mema.org or 202-312-9242.