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The “slam dunk” tax reform bill is leading to big bonuses, new jobs and a huge nationwide investment says the team at Wilmington, North Carolina’s, Atlantic Packaging.

The 75-year-old family-owned business specializes in commercial packaging for some of the biggest companies in the country. Thanks to tax reform, they’re making sure to pass along the savings to their employees, who Wes Carter, president of Atlantic Packaging, describes as their “number-one asset.”

Immediately after tax reform passed, “we decided to hand out bonuses right away,” said Carter. “We knew this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The culture of our company is all about our people. We think that the quality of our people is what differentiates us in the marketplace and makes us a unique supplier. For us, handing out bonuses was an investment in our most valuable resource: our people. Companies create culture by having happy, dedicated employees, who want to have a long-term career at a quality organization. Giving bonuses didn’t even take any debate—we all knew it was the right thing to do.”

As a result of tax reform, Atlantic Packaging employees will be joined by many new coworkers—because tax reform has allowed the company to add jobs, grow the number of facilities and take their company nationwide.

“Tax dollars will help us grow our business,” Carter said. “Atlantic is positioned to become a national company, enhancing our ability to service our clients across North America. Tax reform will help us open new facilities and hire new employees nationwide.”

That’s exactly what Atlantic Packaging is doing. A new $10 million packaging center in Charlotte opened last fall and is now the most advanced package testing facility in the world. Carter also plans to invest in new equipment that will increase productivity and efficiency, including new printing presses and die-cutters for Atlantic’s manufacturing operations.

“All of that takes cash,” said Carter. “We’re able to make these investments, in part, because of tax reform.”

The increased number of facilities means that Atlantic Packaging plans to add up to 20 to 30 jobs a year for the foreseeable future as demand continues to increase. In 2018 alone, the company already has created 25 new jobs and completed a strategic acquisition in the Northeast.

Carter told the 51�Թ���, “We’ve hired sales and sales support people in Kansas City, in Los Angeles, Dallas, Texas and in Portland, Oregon. We opened a new facility in Memphis, Tennessee and in Greenville, South Carolina. Certainly, tax reform has given us the additional confidence to push ahead with these strategic moves.”

“I know tax reform became a partisan issue in Washington, but to me, it was pretty plain and simple,” said Carter. “Because we are all operating in a global economy, U.S. companies need a fair and competitive tax code to remain healthy and vibrant. To me, tax reform was a slam dunk. It’s already proving itself by bringing jobs and major corporate investment back to the United States. The future for American manufacturing is really bright, and that’s the first time in my career I can say that. I’ve never seen so much confidence in the marketplace.”

Thanks to tax reform, Complex Chemical Company Incorporated of Tallulah, Louisiana, is hiring more workers, raising wages and making critical new investments that will help grow its business.

Travis Melton, Complex Chemical’s vice president of sales and marketing, said that his company’s first order of business after tax reform passed was to give an immediate raise to every single one of its 120 employees. It’s the first time in several years that the company was able to give such substantial, across-the-board pay increases.

Melton also explained that tax reform is helping Complex Chemical reinvest in its business and accelerate its expansion plans.

“We’ve had an expansion in the works for two years,” Melton said. “Because the corporate tax rates have been reduced, it’s easier for us to move forward with this expansion and another one we have around the corner. Tax reform helps move these investments.”

One of the biggest additions is the installation of a new distillation column, which Melton says will help increase production capabilities and leave the door open for future expansion. Right now, Complex Chemical’s facilities are operating at maximum capacity.

To staff its growth, Complex Chemical plans to hire new workers in the coming months—offering high-paying, highly skilled jobs that will help operate the new expanded facility.

Melton is optimistic about the future, largely as a result of tax reform.

“For the first time in 20 to 25 years, you have some major players in the U.S. natural gas industry announcing new facilities in the United States,” he said, referring to Complex Chemical’s suppliers. “They decided to do their expansion here because the tax bill makes it worth it. That means more readily available byproduct, which we purchase. And more byproduct allows us to increase the amount of product we sell.”

“Tax reform is having a major impact,” Melton added—not just for Complex Chemical, but for its suppliers and the industry as a whole. “It’s like throwing a rock in the middle of the pond—the ripples hit all sides of the pond.”

Peoria, IL –��The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) and Advanced Technology Services in Peoria hosted Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL-18) for a facility tour and employee town hall on Monday to discuss the real-world impact of tax reform and other ways Congress can better serve the interests of Illinois manufacturers.

When Congressman LaHood cast his vote for tax reform last year, he was voting in support of Illinois manufacturing workers. Now, Illinois and the country, are reaping the benefits. We’ve seen new jobs, rising wages, special bonuses and expanded manufacturing operations, and manufacturers report that even more good news is on the way, said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. Last year, manufacturers said that if leaders in Congress stood with us on tax reform, we would deliver for our people and our communities. Congressman LaHood and his colleagues delivered, and manufacturers are now keeping our promise.

Following the facility tour, Rep. LaHood held a town hall with Advanced Technology Services employees, where he touted the historic tax reform package and reiterated his optimism for the future of manufacturing in Illinois.

After years of stagnation, it is clear that our economy is on the upswing thanks to the tax reform law we passed last December, said Rep. LaHood. My visit to Advanced Technology Services today demonstrated once again how the new law has boosted manufacturers’ confidence and is providing more opportunities for expansion and even skills training for their employees. I want to thank ATS CEO Jeff Owens and all of the employees for their invitation and for the fantastic discussions about how tax reform is helping them, providing valuable insight that will guide me as Congress works to continue updating our tax code.

Manufacturing contributes an estimated $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy and supports��, according to the 51�Թ���. Today’s event focused on the increasing optimism among local manufacturers and the ways local business leaders are already taking advantage of the historic reforms.

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The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) 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��more than��12 million men and women, contributes $2.25��trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for��more than three-quarters��of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� 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 Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit��www.nam.org.

Oxford, MI – The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) and Oxford Forge, Inc. hosted Rep. Mike Bishop (R-MI-8) for a facility tour and roundtable with local business and community leaders on Monday to discuss the real-world impact of tax reform and other ways Congress can better serve the interests of Michigan manufacturers.

Congressman Bishop stood with Michigan manufacturing workers when he cast his vote for tax reform last year, and now the people of Michigan are seeing the overwhelmingly positive results: new jobs, rising wages, special bonuses and expanded manufacturing operations, said 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons. It is undeniably good news. Last year, manufacturers told Congress that if they stood with us on tax reform, we would deliver for our people and our communities. Congressman Bishop and his colleagues delivered, and manufacturers are now keeping our promise.

Following the plant tour, team members from Oxford Forge, Inc. and parent company American Axle & Manufacturing thanked Rep. Bishop for voting in favor of the historic tax reform package and reiterated their optimism for the future of manufacturing in Michigan.

Reforming our nation’s outdated, cumbersome tax code has energized our economy, resulting in the lowest unemployment rate since 2000 and record job creation, said Rep. Bishop. It is absolutely critical here in Michigan that our manufacturers are supported, and I appreciated the opportunity to tour the American Axle & Manufacturing facility in Oxford and sit down with employees. I look forward to continuing my work in Washington to promote policies, like apprenticeship programs, that provide access to the services and support workers need to meet employer demand.

During the group’s roundtable discussion, the importance of building on the momentum of tax reform by dedicating attention to solving the shortage of much needed laborers through workforce development initiatives was agreed to unanimously by Rep. Bishop and participants.

Manufacturing contributes an estimated $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy and supports��598,800 jobs in Michigan alone, according to the 51�Թ���. Today’s event focused on the increasing optimism among local manufacturers and the ways local business leaders are already taking advantage of the historic reforms.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) 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 more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� 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 Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit��.

Washington, D.C. –��The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) and Advanced Technology Services will host Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) for a facility tour and employee town hall focused on the historic tax reform law and its impact on Illinois’ 18th District.

Manufacturing contributes an estimated $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy and supports��571,800 jobs��in Illinois alone. This event will highlight why manufacturers are feeling confident about the future of the industry on the heels of historic tax reform and what the signed legislation means for Illinois’ growing manufacturing sector.

Details are as follows and��for planning purposes only:

MEDIA RSVP:��Members of the media interested in attending the town hall should contact 51�Թ��� Director of Regional Public Affairs Elizabeth Van Holt at��[email protected].��For all questions not related to event logistics, please e-mail 51�Թ��� Media Relations at[email protected].Media is welcome to cover the facility tour at 10:20 a.m. and the employee town hall at 10:50 a.m. In addition,��a media Q&A will take place at approximately 10:45 a.m. Please note that video will only be allowed during the media Q&A session.To schedule an interview with Rep. LaHood, please contact JD Dalfanso, the congressman’s communications director at[email protected].

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) 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��more than��12 million men and women, contributes $2.25��trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for��more than three-quarters��of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� 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 Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit��www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. –��������from the 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) shows that manufacturers are keeping their promise after passage of the historic tax reform legislation by boosting wages, hiring and investment. The survey, to be released today by Emerson Chairman and CEO and 51�Թ��� Board Chair David Farr during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing, shows 72 percent of manufacturers are increasing employee wages or benefits, 77 percent are hiring more workers and 86 percent are investing in new equipment and facilities. Last month, the 51�Թ���’s Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey found��optimism among manufacturers registered the second-highest level ever recorded (93.5 percent) in the 20-year history of the survey.

Almost exactly one year ago, I appeared before Congress to make the case for tax reform that would make America fiercely competitive. Congress and the president kept their promise and delivered. Now, it’s our��time to keep��our promises and deliver—and we are, said Farr. Manufacturing in America is now rising to new heights, thanks to tax reform, and as a result, manufacturers of all sizes are already investing more, growing more, hiring more and paying more. They are already improving lives and livelihoods. And, as the survey results I’m releasing today show, we manufacturers are just getting started.

At 10:00 a.m. EDT this morning, Farr will review the survey results during his testimony at a House Ways and Means Committee hearing focused on the impact of tax reform on the U.S. economy, job creators and workers.

Manufacturers were a leading advocate for the historic tax cut legislation signed into law by President Trump, saying they would hire more, invest more and compensate their workers more if the legislation was passed. In the spirit of that commitment, the 51�Թ��� recently launched the��“Keeping Our Promise” campaign—a new series of original stories from manufacturers about how they are utilizing the new tax law to benefit their businesses and workers.��You can learn more about the survey and the “Keeping Our Promise” campaign��here.

-51�Թ���-

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) 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��more than��12 million men and women, contributes $2.25��trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for��more than three-quarters��of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� 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 Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit��www.nam.org.

Washington, D.C. – 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) Vice President of International Economic Affairs Linda Dempsey testified at today’s U.S. Trade Representative on the proposed Section 301 tariffs. Dempsey’s testimony focused on the U.S.–China trading relationship and reiterated 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons’ call for the Trump administration to pursue a bilateral trade agreement with China.

The Section 301 investigation has certainly raised the level of focus, here and in China, that we hope it will provide just the opening to move forward aggressively on a strategic new approach, Dempsey said in her testimony. As 51�Թ��� President and CEO Jay Timmons explained in a letter to the president on January 8, the most effective path forward is a comprehensive and strategic approach that has at its core a modern, innovative, bilateral trade agreement that restructures our economic relationship with China. While tariffs may provide short-term relief to some, we are hearing regularly and broadly from manufacturers across the country who are deeply concerned about the harmful, albeit unintended, impacts that the imposition of proposed tariffs would have on manufacturing and jobs.

�������������to read Dempsey’s prepared oral testimony.

Last month, Dempsey����before a����on market access challenges in China, where she also advocated an enforceable, rules-based bilateral trade agreement between the United States and China.

-51�Թ���-��

The 51�Թ��� (51�Թ���) 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 more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The 51�Թ��� 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 Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit��.