TMA Member Terry Iverson Testifies on Capitol Hill

TMA Member Terry Iverson Testifies Before U.S. House Small Business Panel

(Park Ridge)-Tooling & Manufacturing Association of Illinois Member Terry Iverson, President & CEO of Iverson and Company, testified on the importance of manufacturing before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business in Washington, D.C. on June 19th. Iverson & Co sells machine tools (primarily computer controlled machines) to manufacturing companies in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

Speaking on the so-called manufacturing “skills gap,” Iverson stated “This country is in an epidemic crisis at this moment. If we do not find the next generation of engineers, manufacturing workers, programmers, inspectors, machinists, etc., then manufacturing opportunities will diminish not because we do not have the ingenuity or expertise, but because we do not have the persons to fill the positions to carry out our capabilities. I am pleased to hear that there is a buzz on manufacturing in recent months and years around the country, media, and both sides of the political parties.”

On global competitiveness and competition, Iverson had this to say “Much of the public & media are of the opinion that ALL manufacturing has gone overseas to China and India. While some of this notion is true, “Advanced Manufacturing” will & MUST stay in this country. Some of the repetitive rote mechanical low skilled tasks in fact have gone over to the Far East. The decision making, problem solving high skilled positions are still in this country and have over 600,000 positions that cannot be filled, at a time when unemployment hovers around 7.6%. The Advanced Manufacturing capabilities must be a part of our culture in order for us to enjoy the quality of life as we know it in the US. Not only does our economic status depend on this, but so do our national defense & our position of strength in the world. Those who possess elite manufacturing capability, will also hold a prominent position in the world order of power.”

Iverson concluded, “I encourage everyone here to do what you can to lead the charge for our cause. We have so many needs in technical education; policies, image, perception and need to bring MADE IN THE USA back as a proud claim and priority when we buy products. This problem is very complex and we need everyone on both sides of the political agenda to agree on this and play a part in the solution.”

TMA Chairman Zach Mottl commended Iverson for making the trip to our nation’s capitol. “Terry continues to be a leading voice for manufacturing and we are very proud he was able to carry the message of manufacturing’s renewal to Washington.”

About TMA: 8 small manufacturing companies who thought they could better themselves by associating with one another founded TMA in 1925. Through the years, members established programs and services that would help their businesses grow and prosper, train their employees, and provide medical and retirement benefits. As a result of these efforts, TMA has grown into a 1,000 member not-for-profit organization representing almost 30,000 employees of precision manufacturing and supplier companies throughout Illinois.