MSCI and Basic Metals Hosts Wisconsin Senator for Plant Tour

Today at the Basic Metals plant (Germantown, WI), the Wisconsin Chapter of the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI) hosted senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) for a plant tour and discussion of the economy and the metals service industry’s policy agenda.

“MSCI and Basic Metals were pleased to host senator Ron Johnson, who has been a strong supporter of the metals service industry during his tenure,” said MSCI president and chief executive officer Bob Weidner. “We discussed the importance of comprehensive tax reform, an all-of-the above energy policy and our industry’s key regulatory concerns. It was a candid discussion in which senator Johnson heard the concerns of business owners, employees and other members of the community as well.” Interested parties can access the Metals Service Center Institute’s policy agenda on its website.

Senator Johnson spoke to Basic Metals employees and also took their questions. Senator Johnson said, “We all want America to be prosperous.  To do that, we have to make America an attractive place for business risk taking and expansion.” Senator Johnson highlighted five ways to accomplish that: a simplified tax structure, a competitive regulatory environment, utilizing our energy resources, fixing the deficit and changing our healthcare structure.

MSCI also hosted a luncheon with its Wisconsin chapter members and guests from the community. Attendees discussed the industry’s economic impact and the importance of engaging with policymakers. Basic Metals owner Todd Fogel said, “Our industry cannot continue to grow unless Washington reduces policy and economic uncertainty by passing key reforms that will allow us to expand capital investment and hire more workers. Today we were glad to have the opportunity to discuss these policies with senator Johnson and to show him first-hand the impact our industry has on the local economy.” MSCI members sustain more than 12,000 jobs in Wisconsin and have an economic impact totaling nearly $4.5 billion. To learn more about the metals service industry’s economic impact in Wisconsin, or in any other state, see MSCI’s Metals Industry Economic Impact report.

Founded in 1909, MSCI has over 400 member companies operating from more than 1,500 locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico and throughout the world. A recent study shows the U.S. metals industry accounts for nearly 2.5 million jobs and the economic contribution of the industry is more than $552 billion or more than 3.5 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product.

 www.MSCI.org