FMA stands up for metal fabricators

Welders working on stainless steel equipment for the medical or food processing industries are essential workers during this COVID-19 pandemic. The nation's governors need to realize this. FMA President Ed Youdell is asking fabricators and manufacturers to remind them of that.

Ed Youdell, president/CEO of Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Intl. (FMA), Elgin, Ill., recently wrote to President Donald Trump regarding the essential nature of the metal fabrication industry and its importance to helping put an end to the COVID-19 virus.

Youdell is now asking metal fabricators and manufacturers to share a similar message with the nation's governors because they have the ability to determine the definition of what essential businesses are within their own states. Many of those state leaders are reviewing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidance for help in determining just what businesses may be considered essential, and Youdell said he doesn't believe the CISA input represents the metal fabrication industry as comprehensively as it could.

As a result, he's asking fabricators and manufacturers to send this note to their respective governors to reinforce the essential nature of metal manufacturing industry:

“As you lead this country’s efforts to defeat the COVID-19 virus, please consider the men and women who work in the metal fabrication industry an essential part of the resources and effort needed to push back and ultimately eliminate this terrible disease.

“Any prolonged work stoppage of job shops across the U.S. will only slow efforts to defeat and eliminate COVID-19. These companies employ America's machine operators, welders, and assemblers who together are making the metal parts, subassemblies, and components that support OEM production of such products as ventilators, medical devices and medical diagnostic equipment, first responder equipment, construction and infrastructure equipment, food service equipment, agriculture equipment, automotive parts, military vehicles, power generation equipment, and oil and gas piping.

“The most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (NAICS 332) employs 1.487 million people across the country in 58,756 establishments. The exceptional productivity and innovation of these companies, the majority small- and medium-sized businesses, are supported by the 1,093,640 men and women from machinery manufacturers (NAICS 333) who build the laser cutting systems, press brake, punching, tube bending, folding, and welding equipment that is vital for both high-precision and high-speed manufacturing of medical equipment. Together these industries are a significant contributor to the vital economic engine of U.S. manufacturing.

“Since 1970, the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association International has advocated for the growth and sustainability of job shops, OEMs, and metal suppliers who together form the $153 billion metal fabrication industry. At this difficult time, our members continue to be highly productive and are ready to do their share to help defeat COVID-19."

Ed Youdell, president/CEO of Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Intl. (FMA)