PMA Member Pens Op-Ed, Stands Up for Small Businesses and Manufacturers

As a trade association representing nearly 900 companies in the metalforming industry of North America, we are always proud to highlight the many achievements and accomplishments of our member companies.

Joe Szydlo, a machine operator,
works the single hit punch press at Automation Tool & Die Inc.
in Brunswick in October 2011. (Photo: Plain Dealer)
And when one of our individual member companies stands up and advocates for the industry as a whole, we are even more proud. That’s why we chose to focus our blog today on an op-ed in the Cleveland Plain Dealer written by Randy Bennett, co-owner of PMA-member Automation Tool & Die. Randy was joined in authoring the article by Dave Sattler, president of Sattler Companies Inc.

Randy’s article, published today in the major Ohio news outlet, called for legislators in Washington to respect manufacturers as the backbone of our communities while they debate the future of comprehensive tax reform.

Automation Tool & Die, a Brunswick-based company, employs 71 workers and provides tool and die and metal stamping services to customers in the automotive, industrial hardware, and other industries. And, because the company is structured as a C Corporation, Automation Tool & Die pays both corporate taxes and individual taxes. These double taxes make it extremely hard for many small businesses to stay competitive, and increasing focus on corporate tax rates could make this issue even worse.

While Randy acknowledges the absolute need for tax reform, the purpose of the article is to make sure that reform does not leave “America’s small businesses in the rearview mirror.” By ensuring that tax provisions that help small businesses operate in a competitive industry are included in the new tax system, Congress can help the 12 million manufacturers employed in the United States drive our economy forward into the future.

We applaud Randy for his contribution and hope Congress listens to the wisdom of his words. Additionally, we will be monitoring the tax reform issue and will provide periodic updates on this blog as new issues emerge.

You can read the full op-ed here.

What do you think about comprehensive tax reform? What provisions are most vital to your company’s success? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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