Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has once again joined the elite ranks of 14 companies achieving gold-level status for the third year in a row in I Make America’s AEM Advocates program.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) launched the campaign in 2010 to improve American manufacturing policies, create more jobs in the United States and keep the U.S. economy competitive with other countries. AEM honored Volvo CE during a special awards ceremony on Nov. 13 in Napa Valley, Calif.

“I want to congratulate Volvo CE for again achieving gold-level status in our I Make America program, representing their continued commitment to advancing pro-manufacturing policies in the United States,” said Dennis Slater, AEM president. “We were thrilled that Volvo CE could host our I Make America Harley Tour in Shippensburg, Pa., this past summer at the opening of its new customer center. I look forward to continuing to work with Volvo CE to help grow AEM’s advocacy efforts.”

Volvo CE is committed to supporting industry-wide initiatives that bring growth, stability and jobs to the country. In June, the company inaugurated its new North American Customer Center and confirmed its long-term commitment to the North American market. During the event, Volvo CE also hosted the I Make America Harley tour to raise awareness about the grassroots campaign.

“We appreciate AEM taking the lead on industry issues and bringing industry giants together to push the government for a robust, long-term highway trust fund to meet America’s infrastructure needs,” said Göran Lindgren, president & CEO Volvo CE North America. “A robust highway program is critical to the nation’s place in the world and deeply impacts economic productivity and quality of life. For every dollar invested in road improvement, there is an average benefit of $5 in the form of lower vehicle maintenance costs, fewer traffic delays and less fuel consumption.”

As part of the Volvo Group, Volvo CE supports the reauthorization of the current surface transportation law, known as the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century legislation, or MAP-21.

“Our nation’s roads and bridges are rapidly deteriorating, and the necessary revenue to simply maintain the status quo is drying up as state and local governments grapple with dwindling budgets,” Lindgren said. “Facing increasingly stiff global competition, the nation cannot afford to under-invest in such a critical component of our economic engine.”

I Make America gold-level supporters are an important group of companies that have achieved participation benchmarks marking them as industry leaders. Benchmarks include significant employee involvement; outreach to their state, local and federal legislators; and promoting campaign sign-ups at trade shows and with allied trade associations. The campaign has enlisted the support of more than 40,000 people nationwide, AEM’s 950-plus member companies and industry organizations.

To learn more about I Make America, visit www.IMakeAmerica.com.

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