U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and U.S. Congresswoman Thelma Drake recently visited outdoor power equipment manufacturer STIHL Incorporated in Virginia Beach, Va. The Secretary used the opportunity to underscore the strength of the U.S. economy.
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During the visit, the Secretary and Congresswoman toured the facility, observing plant operations and the latest technological advancements taking place at STIHL, as well as meeting STIHL employees on the manufacturing floor. The Secretary also took time to talk with the press and highlighted the July Employment Report released that morning, which showed 113,000 jobs had been created and the unemployment rate at 4.8 percent, near its lowest level since July 2001 and below the average of each of the past three decades. STIHL recently embarked on a $78 million expansion of its facilities and is itself in the process of adding approximately 400 jobs by 2007.
“That STIHL continues to grow is good news for our national economy and small businesses in particular. STIHL’s products supply small businesses throughout our nation," Drake said. "When STIHL performs well it means that small businesses across our nation are continuing to grow and create new jobs.”
Fred Whyte, president of STIHL Inc., said that the company was pleased to be supporting the local and national economies through the addition of jobs.
Gutierrez also underscored the importance of open markets for trade that create jobs and opportunity at home and abroad, using STIHL as an example of success in this area. STIHL Inc. manufactures a full line of outdoor power equipment for the U.S. and exports to over 80 countries.
“It’s a great example of what makes our economy work and why we’re so strong compared to the rest of the world,” Gutierrez said. “This is what it’s all about-–we bring foreign investment because we’re a good place to do business. It is innovative businesses and skilled workers like STIHL Incorporated’s that keep our economy the envy of the industrialized world.”