Policy and Legal

2026 NAM State of Manufacturing Tour Stops in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

MILWAUKEE – The National Association of Manufacturers—official partner of America250—in partnership with Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, continued its 2026 NAM State of Manufacturing Tour today in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under the theme “Creating the Future.” Today’s visits included Rockwell Automation, Komatsu Mining Group and CNH.

The Milwaukee stops showcased how advanced manufacturing technologies power America’s industrial legacy and future—boosting productivity, strengthening supply chains and creating high-quality manufacturing careers. In Wisconsin, manufacturing supports 462,000 workers—more than 15% of the state’s workforce—cementing its role as an economic engine for the state.

“When it comes to artificial intelligence, manufacturers have not just deployed advanced technologies; we’ve developed them,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. “What we saw today at Komatsu, Rockwell Automation and CNH is proof that AI is already transforming modern manufacturing. These tools make our manufacturing workers safer, our supply chains smarter and our products more advanced. The growth of manufacturing drives AI, and the growth of AI drives manufacturing. If America wants to lead on AI, America must support the manufacturers leading the way. That includes regulations that foster innovation—not stifle it.”

The day started with a tour of Komatsu’s state-of-the-art South Harbor Campus—a world-class example of how sustainable design and high-tech manufacturing can coexist. The group then visited Rockwell Automation, the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, where Chairman and CEO and NAM Board Chair Blake Moret has led for the past decade. After the tour, Timmons, Moret and Manufacturing Institute President and Executive Director Carolyn Lee convened a roundtable discussion on “Responsible AI Leadership,” focused on how manufacturers are approaching AI and advanced technologies.

“At Rockwell Automation, we believe that the ‘Factory of the Future’ is built on the intersection of human ingenuity and intelligent machines,” said Moret. “What we saw today in Milwaukee—from Komatsu to the discussions here at Rockwell—is an industry moving at the speed necessary to compete and win. This tour is about making sure Washington understands that speed. Manufacturers need abundant, reliable energy, comprehensive permitting reform and investments in the manufacturing workforce to ensure the massive investments required for AI and automation can continue to flow into our communities and beyond.”

The day concluded at industrial and agricultural equipment manufacturer CNH, where demonstrations showed how precision technology is benefiting both the traditional manufacturing sector and the agricultural manufacturing sector.

“Wisconsin isn’t just a manufacturing state—it’s a manufacturing powerhouse,” said Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce President and CEO Kurt Bauer. “From advanced machinery and paper production to food processing and cutting-edge technologies, our manufacturers compete and win globally. We are proud to partner with the NAM to showcase Wisconsin’s strength during this stop on the NAM State of Manufacturing Tour to show the strength of Wisconsin’s manufacturing workers. At the same time, we must confront a serious workforce challenge—60% of Wisconsin employers say they cannot find enough workers, and labor force participation has been declining for decades. To sustain our leadership, we need policies from Washington that strengthen and supplement our world-class training efforts, expand workforce pathways, align education with employer needs and make it easier for individuals to enter and advance in manufacturing careers.”

From Milwaukee, the 2026 NAM State of Manufacturing Tour will go on to Dallas, Texas, where Lee will deliver the 2026 Manufacturing Institute’s State of the Manufacturing Workforce Address; Houston, Texas; and conclude Friday in Phoenix, Arizona. The tour made stops in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina prior to today’s events in Milwaukee. Throughout the tour, the NAM will continue meeting with policymakers, manufacturers of all sizes, students and business leaders, advocating for the people and policies that will ensure the United States is the best place in the world to do business. To learn more about the tour and the NAM’s mission, visit https://nam.org/stateofmfg/.

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The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs nearly 13 million men and women, contributes $2.95 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and accounts for 53% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.