11/08/05: Governor John Engler Visits Astec
 |
|
Governor John Engler (right) with Norm Smith, President of Astec, Inc., in front of a Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) facility.
|
|
John Engler, former Governor of Michigan and current President of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), visited Astec's manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 1. Engler's visit to Astec was in conjunction with the 103rd annual meeting of the Chattanooga Manufacturers Association at which Engler was the keynote speaker.
Governor Engler's visit to Chattanooga spurred discussions regarding workforce development in the United States and the role of manufacturing in the city. His visit to Astec was particularly exciting given his success in passing the largest roadbuilding and renovation plan in the state of Michigan's history. The plan, passed in 2001, dedicated a record $1.54 billion to the improvement of Michigan's roadways.
Norm Smith, President of Astec, Inc., explained that much of his conversation with Engler revolved around energy. "Governor Engler was interested in the new products we make to lower energy costs," Smith said. "We spent some time talking about our Phoenix burner and the energy savings it gives asphalt producers."
During the visit to Astec, Engler viewed a firing demonstration of the Phoenix® Talon aggregate drying burner. "He was also interested in how the burner complies with EPA regulations," said Smith. "I explained that it meets the toughest regulations, and we fired the burner to demonstrate how clean and quiet it is during operation."
Governor Engler also viewed a complete Astec Double Barrel® Hot Mix Asphalt Facility. After his keynote speech at the Chattanooga Manufacturers Association annual meeting, he visited Astec's sister company, Roadtec, Inc., where he drove the RX-900 cold planer.
