Smoker Craft Boats hosted Senator Todd Young, (R-Ind.) at its New Paris, Ind., facility last week. The visit capped off a string of industry plant tours during the summer Congressional recess. The National Marine Manufacturers Association reported that its members have held more than 20 tours with elected officials since the beginning of the year.
Prior to Young’s visit, Doug Smoker, president of Smoker Craft, and Peter Barrett, the company’s vice president of marketing and corporate development, held a discussion with the senator and Smoker Craft leaders. They discussed issues including tariffs and bolstering the country’s workforce. One conversation was about Young’s DRIVE-Safe legislation that would allow licensed commercial drivers between the ages of 18 and 21 to transport goods across state lines after the completion of an apprenticeship program.
“We are pleased that Senator Young was able to meet with us and tour our facility in New Paris, Ind.,” Barrett said in a statement. “Our management staff was offered the unique opportunity to share their thoughts on the current business environment. Local workforce development and the impact of burdensome tariffs on imported parts and European exports were discussed at length. With both boating and manufacturing knowledge, Senator Young will make a great new addition to the Congressional Boating Caucus.”
