Category: Business

Small manufacturers should be included in federal supply chain legislation, according to U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist.

Rep. Davids visited Knit-Rite, a medical supply manufacturer in Kansas City, Kansas, on Thursday as part of her Made in Kansas tour to promote domestic manufacturing and supply chain solutions.

She announced the tour after being selected as a key negotiator for the House as lawmakers finalize a major, bipartisan supply chain package in Congress.

Knit-Rite has been in Kansas City for 99 years, producing medical textiles for amputees, orthotic users, diabetics, and people with other venous and sensitivity disorders.

They employ 100 people at their Kansas manufacturing facility, and recently worked with the Wyandotte Economic Development Council, along with Knit-Rite’s sister organization Thuasne USA, to bring 15 new employees to the area and expand their current 60,000 square foot facility by more than 50%. Rep. Davids joined Knit-Rite’s CEO and employees to discuss her work to support American-made medical supplies and manufacturing in Kansas.

Rep. Davids has been a strong advocate for small and mid-sized manufacturers, particularly medical suppliers. After hearing the story of Lenexa-based manufacturer Dentec Safety Specialists, Rep. Davids helped them secure federal funding to fill the shortage of masks during the pandemic. She introduced the Supplies Act, which would create a grant program for small and medium manufacturers that shift their production to medical supplies during future public health emergencies.

Now, she has been selected as a negotiator representing the House Small Business Committee as Congress moves ahead on this major, bipartisan supply chain package. Her amendment, which passed in the House version of the package, would ensure small businesses are considered in upgrades to the medical supply chain, not just big corporations.

“Knit-Rite is a great local success story for manufacturing and a true Made in Kansas business. As we’re working to fix our supply chains and lower costs, we have to make sure that these smaller manufacturers are included, particularly when it comes to critical materials like medical supplies,” Rep. Davids said. “It’s better for our economy and ultimately better for our patients. I’m going to continue advocating for our homegrown businesses and workforce as we work across the aisle to finalize supply chain legislation in Congress.”

“Knit-Rite has been a Kansas City company for 99 years, since our founding in 1923. I am proud that we have continued to grow, design and manufacture our specialty medical textiles here in Kansas City, Kansas, shipping product to over 50 countries around the world and providing stability and job opportunities for multiple generations of employees and families that have been part of the Knit-Rite family,” said Chris Vering, CEO of Knit-Rite. “Knit-Rite provides good paying jobs to those seeking a better life and work stability. To leave a legacy, we need to connect our high schoolers with businesses like ours that can provide them a stable, fruitful living for generations to come.”

Rep. Davids recently met with President Biden to emphasize the need to fix the supply chains and address rising costs by making more goods in America. The legislation she is working on now includes several priorities for the Kansas 3rd District, including incentives for domestic semiconductor production and policies to help American workers and industries compete against countries like China. She visited A&K Railroad Materials for the first stop in her Made in Kansas tour to highlight local manufacturers.

• Story from Rep. Davids’ office

U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd DIst., launched her Made in Kansas tour Tuesday to promote domestic manufacturing and supply chain solutions at A&K Railroad Materials in Kansas City, Kansas.

Davids announced the tour after being selected as a key negotiator for the House as lawmakers finalize a major, bipartisan supply chain package in Congress.

The manufacturing facility in Kansas employs the majority of A&K’s 250-person workforce, producing new and used track materials to build and maintain railroads across the country. Davids joined A&K employees to discuss investing in American-made infrastructure materials and domestic supply chains, and to hear about their impact on both the local economy and national transportation networks.

Davids voted for the bipartisan infrastructure law, which includes strong Buy American provisions. Additionally, Davids is working to promote manufacturing and supply chain solutions in Congress, especially as increased competition from China has cost the U.S. approximately 985,000 manufacturing jobs between 1999 and 2011.

“When we make more here at home, and when we invest in strong supply chains, we lower costs for folks at the store. The work at A&K Railroad Materials is important to every piece of that equation,” Rep. Davids said. “Today I got to see how both the bipartisan infrastructure law and the new supply chain legislation we’re working on in Congress will help Kansas manufacturers continue to serve our entire country’s transportation needs.”

“We’re glad to be the first stop on Representative Davids’ tour and show off the manufacturing capability we have here in Kansas City, Kansas,” said Kellen Desmond, president, A&K Railroad Materials. “We’re excited to see what the bipartisan infrastructure law holds for the railroad industry and for A&K.”

“It was great meeting Congresswoman Davids and her staff during the event at A&K’s amazing manufacturing facility. Getting the chance to tour the facility, talk about the state of the rail industry in Kansas, and hear from the Congresswoman about how things are going in DC, was a terrific experience,” said Michael McGonagle, vice president of operations, National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association and Grassroots Events Manager, REMSA.

Rep. Davids has been a leader on the House version of the major, bipartisan supply chain package, known as the America COMPETES Act. The bill is aimed at strengthening supply chains, reducing inflation, and increasing America’s global competitiveness.

It includes several priorities for the Kansas 3rd District, including incentives for domestic semiconductor production and policies to help American workers and industries compete against countries like China. Davids secured an amendment in the House version that would ensure small and mid-sized manufacturers are considered in upgrades to our medical supply chain, not just big corporations.

Rep. Davids recently met with President Biden to emphasize the need to pass this package and address rising costs by making more goods in America. Now, she has been named to the conference committee, a bipartisan group of Senators and Members of Congress tasked with negotiating a final package to send to the President’s desk. Specifically, Rep. Davids has been selected as a negotiator for the House Small Business Committee.

• Story and photos from Rep. Davids’ office