# AEM Tour Honors Rockland Manufacturing's Workforce - **Published:** 2026-10-01 - **Edition:** Northeast - **Source:** Construction Equipment Guide - **Authors:** Brittney Christopher – CEG Correspondent - **URL:** https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/aem-tour-honors-rockland-manufacturings-workforce/72397 - **Tags:** AEM, Events, Rockland Manufacturing ## Summary AEM hosted a national bus tour to celebrate the men and women in the construction, manufacturing and equipment industries. ## Article For the third year in a row, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), an international trade group representing off-road equipment manufacturers and suppliers, hosted a national bus tour to honor and celebrate the men and women in the construction, manufacturing and equipment industries. The tour, known as the AEM Manufacturing Express, recently visited nearly two dozen manufacturing facilities across Connecticut, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania in August and September. This year, AEM selected Rockland Manufacturing, located in Bedford, Pa., as one of three companies in Pennsylvania to acknowledge and celebrate. ![](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/900x0_s3-72397-N-ROCKLAND-AEM-26-7_JPG.jpg) CEG photo [Rockland Manufacturing](https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/rockland-equipment-for-sale/), a family-owned manufacturing company within Bedford County, designs and produces more than 250 specialized attachments for nearly any application for heavy equipment. “By offering one of the largest product lines in the industry, along with impeccable reliability, guaranteed ship dates and rapid lead service times, Rockland has quickly expanded to 500 employees and four facilities based out of Pennsylvania and Texas,” the company said. Rockland Manufacturing serves more than 2,000 dealerships nationwide and their products can be found all over the world and on nearly every continent. ![](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/900x0_s3-72397-N-ROCKLAND-AEM-26-4_JPG.jpg) CEG photo Founded in 1953 by Sam Pratt and now owned and operated by his son Bo, Rockland Manufacturing made its mark after creating the first wheel loader rock bucket and world's largest dozer blade. Today, the company's unique scheduling system and old-school mentality of working hard and keeping things simple have only furthered their success, according to the company. “If you understand your customer, do the little things right and bring them more value over time, they'll keep coming back,” said Bo Pratt. “What we do is not fancy, but it's hard work to get it right.” Although the company quickly became recognized for its innovation, Pratt said it's the people that keep Rockland successful. That's why Pratt invited the AEM Manufacturing Express to Rockland Manufacturing for a celebration of their hardworking and committed employees. ![](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/900x0_s3-72397-N-ROCKLAND-AEM-26-11_JPG.jpg) CEG photo AEM and Rockland employees joined together at Rockland Manufacturing's Bedford, Pa., facility on, Sept. 10, 2026. Along with encouraging speeches from Megan Tanel, president and CEO of AEM and President Bo Pratt of Rockland, three employees, Chase Dutil, Travis Zelanko and Tim Fairbanks, also spoke at the event. “As of today, only 8 percent of Americans are in the manufacturing industry,” Pratt said. “We're unique and we're pros. What we do is very necessary and not everybody can do what we can do. We should be proud of that, I'm proud of that.” Travis Zelanko, who started with the company back in 2017 said, “It's really an impressive industry and it can take you wherever you want to go. If it weren't for you [Rockland employees], Rockland wouldn't exist.” ![](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/900x0_s3-72397-N-ROCKLAND-AEM-26-8_JPG.jpg) CEG photo In addition, employees enjoyed foods trucks, complimentary Rockland gear and the opportunity to win prizes in several drawings. AEM also encouraged Rockland employees to become industry advocates by joining the “I Make America” program. The event concluded by Rockland adding its logo to the official AEM touring bus, which showcases the nearly 100 manufacturers AEM visited over the past three years. ## Photos ![The Bedford, Pa., plant is considered the headquarters of Rockland since it was the first shop purchased when Sam Pratt (founder and previous owner) moved the business from Florida to Pennsylvania in the 1970s.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72397-N-ROCKLAND-AEM-26-10_JPG.jpg) *Photo credit: CEG photo* ![These customer attachments are in the final stages of production and head off to the paint booth next for finishing touches.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72397-N-ROCKLAND-AEM-26-11_JPG.jpg) *Photo credit: CEG photo* ![A shot of Rockland’s Bedford, Pa., yard where a few finished attachments are temporarily stored before shipping off to customers.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72397-N-ROCKLAND-AEM-26-12_JPG.jpg) *Photo credit: CEG photo* ![Rockland and AEM employees gather for the AEM Manufacturing Express tour at Rockland’s Bedford, Pa., location on Sept. 10, 2026.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72397-N-ROCKLAND-AEM-26-13_JPG.jpg) *Photo credit: CEG photo* ![AEM President Megan Tanel opens the event by welcoming and congratulating Rockland Manufacturing employees for their participation in the AEM Manufacturing Express tour.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72397-N-ROCKLAND-AEM-26-1_JPG.jpg) *Photo credit: CEG photo* ![Rockland Manufacturing President Bo Pratt thanked Rockland employees for their hard work and commitment to the industry.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72397-N-ROCKLAND-AEM-26-2_JPG.jpg) *Photo credit: CEG photo* ![The event was held at Rockland Manufacturing’s headquarters and first location in Bedford, Pa.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72397-N-ROCKLAND-AEM-26-3_JPG.jpg) *Photo credit: CEG photo* ![Rockland Manufacturing and AEM employees gather in front of the AEM Manufacturing Express tour bus.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72397-N-ROCKLAND-AEM-26-4_JPG.jpg) *Photo credit: CEG photo* ![(L-R): Rockland Manufacturing employees Timmy Fairbanks, Chase Dutil and Travis Zelanko all spoke briefly during the event about their careers and time with Rockland Manufacturing.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72397-N-ROCKLAND-AEM-26-5_JPG.jpg) *Photo credit: CEG photo* ![(L-R): Don Turner, Travis Wirfel and Bo Pratt have combined a 65 years of service with Rockland Manufacturing and all play a vital role in the company’s vision and success.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72397-N-ROCKLAND-AEM-26-6_JPG.jpg) *Photo credit: CEG photo* ![The Rockland Manufacturing employees who played a large role in planning and executing this event. (L-R) are Kyle Pittman, supply chain manager; Hannah Weaver, human resources and recruiting; Don Turner, vice president of engineering; Kathy Penatzer, director of human resources; Travis Wirfel, director of operations; Judy Whaley, CFO; Bo Pratt, president; Scott Smith, product and marketing manager; and Travis Zelanko, customer service manager.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72397-N-ROCKLAND-AEM-26-7_JPG.jpg) *Photo credit: CEG photo* ![Rockland’s shop features a Kinetic K5000xmc machine that offers plasma and plate cutting, drilling, taping, milling, counterboring and countersinking.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72397-N-ROCKLAND-AEM-26-8_JPG.jpg) *Photo credit: CEG photo* ![Rockland’s Bedford, Pa., shop houses many of its customers’ custom orders while offering quick, guaranteed turnaround times.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72397-N-ROCKLAND-AEM-26-9_JPG.jpg) *Photo credit: CEG photo*