Staff reports
The Weirton Daily Times
WELLSBURG, W.Va. — The importance of West Virginia manufacturing was on display Friday in Washington, D.C., as seven employees from area companies joined President Donald Trump on stage during his address to the National Association of Manufacturers conference at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
Seven employees, representing Eagle Manfacturing Co. of Wellsburg and Warwood Tool of Wheeling, were among 23 workers on the stage during the president’s discussion on tax reform.
Joe Eddy, president and chief executive officer of Eagle Manufacturing, and a NAM board member, invited Eagle employees Ingrid Loy, marketing manager; Dave Harvey, maintenance foreman; Jeff McKnight, electronics foreman; and Pat Petraglia, design engineer, as well Warwood Tool’s Mike Carl, Logan Hartle and Phil Carl, to join Trump on stage.
Eddy echoes Trump’s position on tax reform, saying he supports the need for a tax code that allows money to stay where it’s needed most — empowering manufacturing workers to invest in the community, support their families, grow the economy, create more secure jobs and make American manufacturing more competitive.
He said he was honored to be asked to contribute to the representation of the state’s manufacturing industry and its 47,000 employees.
“Having such a big group from the Northern Panhandle representing our industry to the entire nation speaks volumes to the special work we do here in West Virginia,” Eddy said.
“President Trump recognizes West Virginia manufacturing is a vital piece of his economic puzzle, and he’s not just focused on the CEOs. He’s looking to the workers and the people who make things happen every day at all levels, which is reflected in his tax reform proposal. The folks from Eagle and Warwood Tool stood proudly with the president, and I’m fortunate to have been witness to such an unforgettable and amazing opportunity,” he said. “They are the perfect representatives of the skilled, hardworking and loyal workforce we have here in West Virginia.”
Trump, who addressed NAM during a live broadcast, introduced a four-step tax reform framework featuring a cut to the corporate tax rate, as well as tax policies to ease the burden on U.S. companies. It’s the lowest tax rate in 80 years, the president said during the live broadcast.
“I’m so happy to see the president focus on bold tax reform that will make America more competitive, put more money in workers’ paychecks and improve the quality of life in our country. Manufacturing is pro-America, pro-business and pro-family,” Eddy said.
Eddy said he is optimistic about the future, but emphasized the critical importance of educating young people about the benefits, educational pathways and career opportunities available in manufacturing to ensure a skilled and competitive workforce not only in West Virginia, but also throughout the country.
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