UniCarriers Americas Corp. (UCA), an Illinois-based forklift manufacturer, hosted Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) at its Marengo, Ill., facility on May 2, the company said. Roskam is the third member of Congress to tour the UniCarriers facility so far this year. The other two were Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Congressman Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.)
During his hour-long visit, Roskam met with senior executives, addressed all UCA employees, and conducted a "town hall" Q&A, the company said. Roskam acknowledged the forklift industry's impact on the global economy and how UCA plays a significant part in the overall story.
"We want an economy that has fuel underneath it. What you are doing is absolutely fascinating because you are at the heart of it all," said Roskam, who was quoted in a statement from the company. "You're an American manufacturer. You're creating things that are available on a global basis. You're competing with the best around the world, and you're winning. That's a very impressive thing to do, and it's not lost on me."
Roskam, who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee's tax-policy subcommittee, discussed the benefits of the recent tax reform law during his visit. UniCarriers President James J. Radous III said the company's tax rates will go from 35 percent to 21 percent, freeing up additional resources for growth.
"It's incredibly humbling to experience three congressional leaders who have taken notice of UniCarriers Americas' impact on the economy and how we compete in the marketplace," said Radous. "The hard work and success of UCA has been recognized by both the marketplace and among our nation's leaders as a company that is doing things right by continuously growing its staff and adding automation."
