To help celebrate National Small Business Week and to highlight the importance of manufacturing to New Hampshire’s economy, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) today hosted Aaron Bagshaw, President of Nashua-based manufacturer W.H. Bagshaw, at a hearing of the House Small Business Committee. The purpose of the hearing, titled Made in the USA: Stories of American Manufacturers, was to highlight the contributions and accomplishments of small manufacturers all across the country that are driving growth, innovation, and job creation in the economy.

“Small manufacturers like W.H. Bagshaw are the backbone of our economy,” Kuster said. “As a member of the Small Business Committee, I am focused on ensuring that Congress is listening to small businesses like W.H. Bagshaw and doing everything we can to support them. I was thrilled to host Aaron at today’s hearing, and to help spotlight the vital role that Granite State manufacturers play in creating jobs and growing our economy.”

Established in 1870, W.H. Bagshaw is the oldest pin manufacturer in the United States. Throughout its history, the company has been a major domestic and international supplier of CNC machined parts and pin and wire products to the medical, aerospace, defense, and high tech industries.

“I want to thank Representative Kuster for inviting me to testify before the Small Business Committee, and for her commitment to supporting small manufacturing firms like ours,” added Aaron Bagshaw, President of the W.H. Bagshaw Company. “As a small business owner, it is so encouraging to know that our voices are being heard and that small business, and manufacturing in particular, is such a priority to our delegation.”

In April, Kuster toured W.H. Bagshaw with Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) to highlight House Democrats’ “Make It In America” plan that focuses on creating the best conditions for American businesses to manufacture their products, innovate, and create jobs in the United States. The “Make It In America” plan emphasizes four key priority areas: adopting and pursuing a national manufacturing strategy, promoting the export of American goods, encouraging businesses to bring jobs and innovation back to the United States, and training and securing a 21^st century workforce.

Since taking office, Kuster has consistently worked to support American manufacturing. As part of her ongoing “Congress at Your Company” series, Kuster has toured manufacturing companies all across New Hampshire to hear directly from business owners about how the federal government can better support job creation and economic growth in the Granite State.  In April, Kuster introduced common sense legislation, the Workforce Development Investment Act, that would help strengthen New Hampshire’s workforce and ensure that Granite State manufacturers have access to workers with the skills they need to fill available jobs. Kuster has also urged President Obama to establish a Manufacturing Innovation Institute in New Hampshire to help drive innovation, support job creation, and ensure that the next generation of innovative breakthroughs happens in states like New Hampshire.

Kuster is a member of the House Small Business Committee.

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