Plant a Seed

With the 2018 midterm elections now in the rearview mirror, many new lawmakers at the local, state, and federal level will be assuming office over the next few months. 

Whether they are a new city council member, state lawmaker, or member of U.S. Congress, component manufacturers (CMs) have a lot to gain by reaching out to invite them into their manufacturing plant for a tour.

Building a relationship with a new elected official early in their career can go a long way toward establishing yourself as a valuable business partner in their community. Having your elected officials understand how the products you manufacture are engineered and built, and who is making them, can have many benefits. First and foremost, it helps them understand how they can play a role in helping you solve the biggest challenges that hold back your growth. 

SBCA has created a new web page dedicated to helping you host plant tours. Whether you need help putting a tour together, or are looking for some talking points, this web page is a great resource as you engage your newly minted elected officials. 

Rick Parrino, SBCA advocacy chairman and general manager of Plum Building Systems, says, “it provides you with critical information that will help you get the attention of those you are inviting into your plant, as well as strategies for what to show and say to them when they are there.” 

“It has been put together with proven methods and best practices and resources to use,” he says. “There is a lot of history and work put into the website and the many resources that support members.”

The end of the year also means state legislative sessions are right around the corner. Many states will begin their legislative session in January, filing bills and hearing testimony to change or make new state laws regarding pressing issues facing their state. Some of these issues could impact the structural building components industry, so staying abreast of what is transpiring at your state capital can ensure you aren’t caught unaware. 

As with local building code councils, Rick says it’s important to stay on top of elected bodies and appointed boards. 

“If you’re not watching what they are doing and paying attention to what’s submitted, they’ll pass something that will damage your company,” he says, pointing to issues that are often addressed by state legislatures, such as housing, roads, taxes, transportation regulations, and many others. 

Rick says for CMs who are not yet involved with local and state legislative or code processes, it’s important to visit websites, attend events, and learn more about their different elected officials and governing bodies. 

“You have to make time and be prepared to participate. It all pays off with the relationships you build with different officials,” he says. “We also need to make sure they are receiving the best information on topics related to our industry. If you don’t have the relationship with them, where are they going to get their information?”

If an issue does arise that may have either positive or negative consequences for the industry, SBCA staff is more than ready to assist. Contact us if you need help preparing talking points to use in testimony or when speaking with your elected officials.