PMT promotes trade, manufacturing during visit from Sen. Ted Cruz

El Paso, Texas-based custom injection molder Plastic Molding Technology Inc. highlighted issues of importance to the plastics industry during an Aug. 24 visit from U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.

PMT CEO Chuck Sholtis kicked off the visit by talking about two issues of critical importance to manufacturers: trade and tax reform.

“Texas is ranked first in the nation for plastics industry employment, and first in the nation for plastics industry shipments,” Sholtis said. “To keep manufacturing thriving, we need to modernize NAFTA while keeping it effective for export-focused businesses like PMT.”

Sholtis called for a “do no harm” approach to NAFTA, expressing the importance of trade to companies in the El Paso area. PMT serves a wide array of industries including automotive, appliances, electrical and consumer products. Many customers are maquiladora plants in Mexico.

The visit included what PMT called an executive roundtable session, where manufacturing leaders from both sides of the U.S./Mexico border were invited to voice their concerns.

The roundtable covered pressing topics for small business owners, including health care reform, the renegotiation of NAFTA and importance of free trade, tax reform, U.S. manufacturing, intellectual property safeguards and investment in workforce development, according to a news release from PMT.

Cruz's team requested the visit to PMT. He talked about efforts to expand economic opportunity.

“My No. 1 priority is very simple: it is jobs, jobs, jobs," he said. "And the reason is because that is the No. 1 priority of Texans. In every part of our state, Texans want more jobs, more opportunity, higher wages, and a better future for our kids. And the way you get more jobs, higher wages and more opportunity is by simplifying and reducing the burdens of taxes and regulations on small businesses and job creators.”

PMT also hosted a factory tour, showcasing robotics, additive manufacturing and injection molding.