Archive: Business & Technology

Rep. Tom Reed kicked off the August district work period at Cameron Manufacturing and Design in Horseheads Monday, touring the facility and meeting with employees.

“We’re particularly excited about spreading what I call the ‘make it here, sell it there’ mentality that is so important in promoting American manufacturing,” Reed said. “We need support for manufacturers, like Cameron Manufacturing, that rely on highly trained employees to make advanced manufactured products. I care greatly about revitalizing and reinvigorating American manufacturing and keeping the United States competitive on the world stage.”

The visit comes on the heels of a new bill Reed introduced in the House to utilize public-private partnerships to bring together manufacturers, local businesses, universities and community colleges to create a network of manufacturing institutes. The bipartisan, bicameral Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2013 (RAMI) commercializes research and development into manufactured products, while training an advanced manufacturing workforce.

“As Co-Chair of the bipartisan House Manufacturing Caucus, one of the concerns I hear from manufacturers constantly is the lack of skill sets necessary to support the kind of advanced manufacturing taking place at facilities like Cameron,” Reed continued. “Proper workforce development means manufacturers have access to highly-skilled workers to fill the high-tech, in-demand jobs of today.”

“We here at Cameron utilize a multi-faceted approach by dealing with Vo-Tech trade programs, high schools and colleges to satisfy our workforce needs,” comments Christopher Goll, President & CEO of Cameron Manufacturing & Design. “It’s also reassuring to know that we manufacturers have a friend in Congressman Reed.  His firm belief in the ESOP philosophy continues to validate his pro-manufacturing stance and provides companies another tool to do business in the U.S.”

Cameron Manufacturing & Design, an employee-owned company, takes advantage of an Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) and expressed to Reed Monday the benefits of ESOPs.

“Meeting with Cameron employees and the company’s president about ESOPs and why the approach works for them, it is clear the plans are a win-win for employees and employers,” Reed said. “Employees are able to take ownership and help preserve the future of U.S.-based companies.”

ESOPs are a type of retirement plan, similar to a 401(k) plan, where the company contributes its stock so that employees can participate in the upside of the company, as owners.

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