Lehigh Valley manufacturers promote tech hub

Rich Hobbs, president and CEO of the Manufacturers Resource Center recently spoke on behalf of manufacturers at a virtual roundtable discussion hosted by Rep. Susan Wild, D-Allentown, and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimond.  

The roundtable was not only a listening session for the government officials but also an update on the pending bipartisan legislation known as the Innovation Act/American Competes Legislation. 

“Congresswoman Wild is a champion for manufacturing and for those of us that live and work in the Lehigh Valley. One of the bills she introduced this congress is the Regional Innovation Act of 2021 that supports the development of Innovation Hubs in communities just like ours,” said Hobbs. “It was a perfect opportunity to convey to the congresswoman and secretary of commerce how a Regional Tech Hub in the Lehigh Valley can benefit manufacturers and how policy makers can help manufacturers to compete and succeed globally.” 

Other manufacturers that fielded questions at the roundtable included Mike Lovati, head of group purchasing for North America, Mack/Volvo; Darrell Engel, senior director of global manufacturing and Allentown site leader for Infinera and Ed Blair, president of Lutron Electronics Co. Inc.