Attracted by its dedication to creating jobs in Illinois and the premise of essential people creating essential products, Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) visited UniCarriers Americas on August 21st. Senator Durbin toured the manufacturers facility, met with senior staff and gave a company-wide address followed by a townhall Q&A
“What we see here at UniCarriers is not only a quality product that can compete on an international scale, but it’s being produced right here in America by Americans who are up to the job and task of competition.” Durbin said.
Delivering opening remarks introducing the Senator, UniCarriers Americas President James J. Radous III highlighted the forklift industry’s impact on GDP and praised his employees’ contributions to the company and the products they build.
“Today, forklift manufacturing’s annual economic impact is over $25 billion in GDP. And, I should point out that $3.5 billion of it comes from the state of Illinois,” Radous said.
“You are among over 200,000 American workers who effect the manufacture of forklifts and keep businesses moving every day throughout the Americas.” Radous added as he addressed the room.
UniCarriers Americas caught the attention of Senator Durbin this past June, when Radous visited legislators in Washington to discuss the critical importance of safety in the workplace, the impact forklifts have on commerce and the creation of more Illinois jobs. Citing the industrial trucking industry as having its largest economic footprint in Illinois, Radous pointed out that whereas many manufacturers are replacing workers with robots, UCA is bringing in more people to work and train alongside automation. The company has increased its automation capabilities by 50% while doubling its number of employees from approximately 300 to 600 over the past five years.
The Senator views UniCarriers as a role model of a successful manufacturer doing business in Illinois. Leading the way with job creation, education initiatives for its employees, and creating a large local economic footprint, Senator Durbin spoke very highly about UniCarriers in addressing the audience.
“I heard about your company, I heard that you were doing things that are important to your lives, for the products you make, and that are important to the nation”
Senator Durbin is the Senior Senator from Illinois and the second highest-ranking Democrat in the Senate. UniCarriers Americas is part of the 3rd largest forklift manufacturer in the world.
