August 2025 Volume 7

EVERY BIT AS IMPACTFUL FIA Expands State Government Outreach By Bryan Bender INDUSTRY NEWS

Among the issues they discussed were the need to introduce manufacturing at younger ages in schools through metalworking or similar classes and create more pathways to skilled trades for high schools and community colleges. “So many of the issues we face are decided on the state level – particularly education and workforce development,” said Ellen Campbell. For example, “we talked a lot about bringing an industrial arts curriculum back to middle and high schools,” said Peter Campbell. “We made them aware of the demand in the market for these skills and also the demand by students for this curriculum. Michigan also ranks among the highest in terms of the cost of energy. FIA raised the need to lower prices through tax credits or other incentives and to transition to cleaner, more reliable, and renewable energy sources. “Last year Michigan passed a very unrealistic energy policy that makes our state less competitive when it comes to utility costs,” Peter Campbell explained. “It hurts high energy users like manufacturers heavily. I saw that many legislators were not tuned in with manufacturing and really lacked an understanding as to the widespread effect this policy would have on good, high paying manufacturing jobs in Michigan.” “It’s important to educate our representatives on forging and manufacturing and how vital it is to our economy,” he added. The two-day event also included several engagements with manufacturing and workforce leaders from across Michigan with similar strategic goals. For example, FIA members met with the Michigan Manufacturers Association, which has a mission to “help protect the

T he state of Michigan, which boasts one of the highest concentrations of forging companies and suppliers in the nation, was center stage recently as FIA and its members fan out to state capitals to enlist more champions to advance our policy agenda. Strengthening and building new coalitions in key states is key to tackling the range of challenges facing the forging industry, including increasing the talent pipeline and securing more industry-friendly energy regulations and tax policies. “Advocacy at the state level can be every bit as impactful,” said Laura Johnson, FIA Director of Government Affairs. “Even as FIA steps up its advocacy work in Washington, state and regional leaders in the public and private sector are central to our strategy to grow new partnerships that invest in our future.” Johnson was the architect of two days of meetings and networking sessions in Lansing in June, where FIA members met with lawmakers and staff from both parties – including those representing House and Senate committees that oversee education, energy and environment, economic and community development, small business, and regulatory affairs. “We had very productive meetings and discussed issues that affect forging, ranging from workforce development issues to the cost of energy to Michigan’s Paid Sick Leave,” said Aaron Porter, a lobbyist for MGS Consultants, which helped set up the meetings. “While lawmakers hear a lot about issues affecting the manufacturing industry, it is important to discuss forging in particular to educate them.” The FIA contingent in Lansing included Adam Arb, vice president of North America operations from international forging company Alcorta; Mike Gill, president and CEO of Lasco Engineering Services, a leading maker of state-of-the-art machinery and production solutions; and Peter Campbell, president of Campbell Press, and Ellen Campbell, the company’s head of marketing and HR.

people and organizations that make up one of the state’s most vital industries.” FIA also organized a private dinner featuring several leaders from relevant sectors of the Michigan manufacturing base. On hand was retired Army Major General Darren Werner, former commander of the U.S. Army Tank Automotive and Armaments Command who was recently named president of SAPA Transmission. SAPA is a leading supplier of state of-the-art transmission technology for tanks and other armored vehicles.

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