Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)

The AEM Board of Directors met on Aug. 6 in Milwaukee for its second meeting of the year to discuss the industry’s most pressing opportunities and challenges, as well as progress on the association’s strategic priorities. Prior to the official meeting, Board members participated in a strategic planning session facilitated by Jim Meffert of Tecker International Consulting.

I Make America, the national grassroots program of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), today announced the launch of a new campaign featuring Mike Rowe, longtime advocate for skilled trades and founder of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation, to spotlight the men and women of the equipment manufacturing industry and promote rewarding careers in modern manufacturing.

Sam Jordan, futurist with Future Today Strategy Group, and Rich Hua, founder of the EQ@Amazon Initiative, have been named as keynote speakers for the upcoming 2026 AEM Annual Conference. Jordan will draw parallels between today’s uncertainty and past transformational eras during her session. She will unpack how the intersection of AI, sensors, and biotech is accelerating change at an unprecedented pace – and what it means for leaders ready to rise.

According to new data from the AEM, U.S. sales of agricultural tractors dropped 10.9% in July 2026 compared to the year before, with combine sales declining 5.3% in the same period. Canadian agricultural tractor sales fell 7.8% in July, while combine sales declined 10.8% compared to July 2025. “The July data reflects continued softness in the agricultural equipment market as farmers and equipment manufacturers navigate persistent economic uncertainty,” said Curt Blades, AEM Senior Vice President.

For manufacturers, construction industry suppliers, and service providers, visibility matters. While CONEXPO-CON/AGG, North America’s largest construction trade show, remains the premier opportunity for connecting with construction industry professionals live and in-person, finding ways to engage with this influential audience extends far beyond a once-every-three-years gathering in Las Vegas.

By Gregg Wartgow, Special to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) -- Stubbornly high input cost and increased market and policy uncertainty have put a bit of a damper on this year’s recovery in the agriculture and construction industries. Nonetheless, farmers and contractors are looking to finish 2026 on solid footing, amid growing signs of stabilization and continued opportunities for growth in 2027.

In today’s rapidly changing market environment, access to timely trade intelligence can help equipment manufacturers make more informed business decisions. AEM’s members-only Business Intelligence Quarterly U.S. Equipment Trade Reports provide in-depth analysis of trade activity impacting the agriculture and construction equipment industries.

AEM and the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) today announced a Statement of Shared Principles affirming the organizations’ commitment to advancing safe digging awareness, supporting consistent industry guidance, and promoting best practices for contacting 811 before digging and operating equipment around underground infrastructure.

AEM’s CE Sector Board of Directorsmet in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, last week to discuss a number of key sector initiatives. The agenda also featured updates from AEM staff regarding the association’s key service areas, includingadvocacy, regulatory, and trade shows. CE Sector Board Chair Erica Baird, vice president, global sales and service, Cummins Inc, called the meeting to order and welcomed Directors to the summer meeting.

AEM’s Ag Sector Board of Directors met in-person last week in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where they discussed several emerging issues impacting equipment manufacturers and agriculture, including artificial intelligence, machine data policy, market intelligence programs, safety initiatives, advocacy efforts, and upcoming industry events. The agenda also featured updates from AEM staff regarding association initiatives and priorities.