RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC — Automotive suppliers, members of Congress and federal agency heads met to discuss automotive safety, energy and the environment, international trade and soaring health care and pension costs during the “MEMA Legislative and Public Policy Summit: Advancing American Manufacturing,” held May 5-6 in Washington, D.C.
The inaugural event was attended by more than 100 representatives of the automotive and heavy duty supplier industry, members of Congress and government agency leaders, including Congressman John Dingell and NHTSA Administrator Dr. Jeffrey Runge. The event was sponsored by Foley & Lardner.
“Our goal in organizing the first-ever annual MEMA Legislative and Public Policy Summit aims to raise awareness among policy makers on the importance of the motor vehicle supplier industry — an industry that employs approximately 2 million Americans and is responsible for most of the technological breakthroughs that have made driving safer and environmentally friendly,” said Chris Bates, president and CEO of MEMA. “We have successfully opened an ongoing dialogue between our members and government officials and representatives, setting the stage for future summits,” he added.
The Summit agenda covered a number of the challenges and opportunities facing the supplier industry including energy and technology issues, vehicle safety, international trade, and the challenge of meeting healthcare and pension costs.
Speakers included:
Rep. Dave Camp (R-Mich.);
Robert Cassidy, Collier Shannon Scott PLLC;
Dorothy Coleman, vice president for tax policy, National Association of Manufacturers ;
Larry Denton, president and CEO, Dura Automotive Systems Inc. and chairman of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association;
Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.);
Albert Eisele, editor, The Hill;
Norman Johnson, director of government affairs, Visteon Corp.;
Scott Klug, Foley & Lardner;
William Kozyra, president, Continental Teves North America;
Paul Nathanson, president, PBN Group;
Ambassador Josette Shiner, deputy U.S. trade representative;
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.);
Dr. Jeffrey Runge, administrator, NHTSA; and
Sylvia Vogt, vice president, corporate affairs North America, Robert Bosch Corp.
The Summit, which is now planned to be an annual event, is co-sponsored by MEMA and its three market segment associations – the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA) and the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA).
To learn more about MEMA, visit: www.mema.org.
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