Texas bus tour brings employee recognition to Seguin manufacturers
22 Aug 2025
Manufacturing
Dalondo Moultrie | The Seguin Gazette
Some of the equipment that powers America is built right here in Seguin.
Knowing that fact, representatives of a national manufacturing group rolled into town to shine a light on the city’s hardworking laborers who are part of the backbone of the United States economy. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers brought the AEM Manufacturing Express bus to town and made stops Wednesday and Thursday at Caterpillar and Alamo Group.
“It’s really about getting attention for our employees,” said Dan Mitchell, Caterpillar director of operations. “They do a good job and should be noticed for what they do for the country and the community.”
The AEM Express is a huge bus that operates as a traveling office, said Reggie Murphy, AEM logistics manager who drives the bus.
AEM representatives host meetings on the bus and conduct business with politicians and other movers and shakers, he said.
The Express is currently on a 22-stop tour across Texas, where representatives meet with manufacturers and offer information, said Kristen Prather, AEM senior director of grassroots advocacy. The tour is a celebration of the “345,000 Texas equipment manufacturers, people who make things used in road construction, agriculture, mining and forestry,” Prather said.
“The bus celebrates the men and women who build equipment that builds manufacturing and sustains the world,” she continued. “We’re talking with media and educating members about issues that impact them: legislation, regulations, what governments are doing.”
Her organizations teaches manufacturing employees how to affect change and that there is power in the jobs they perform, Prather said. They express the importance of keeping track of policy changes and who makes them, she said.
Manufacturers should get involved and help affect change, Prather said.
“The work they do is important. It has meaningful impact on their communities, the state of Texas,” she said. “It’s important to get involved.”
The AEM bus tour brought with it games and giveaways on its visit to Seguin, the first in town. Employees at Caterpillar gathered Wednesday for a catered barbecue lunch.
Last year, the tour went nationwide, touching down in 80 spots across 20 states, Prather said.
The tour helps highlight the important work done in Seguin and the workers who do it, Mitchell said. It’s important those employees understand that they are appreciated and their contributions matter, he said.
“People in Seguin might not know right here in their community people are building the engines that power the world,” Mitchell said. “We’re happy they chose us to be a part of their AEM Manufacturing tour.”
More Topics
