AEM partners with Euro counterpart to enhance global alignment on key ag manufacturer issues

Dec 20, 2024
By Andrew Joseph
Assistant Editor, North American Content, Farms.com

In the photo above, Curt Blades (centre), the Senior Vice President of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), shakes hands with Jelte Wiersma (right), the Secretary General of the European Agricultural Machinery Association (CEMA), signifying an agreement of enhanced cooperation between the two associations on key global issues affecting the agricultural machinery industry. Photo courtesy of AEM.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) and the European Agricultural Machinery Association (CEMA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance advocacy efforts for the agricultural equipment industry.

The agreement seeks to create a positive legislative and regulatory environment across the Atlantic and globally, ensuring alignment on key issues impacting manufacturers in both regions.

It establishes a framework for the two organizations to work together toward alignment, achieving mutual recognition, ensuring regulatory compliance, and harmonizing practices and standards in several key areas that impact agricultural equipment manufacturers today.

Signed last month at two major industry events—EIMA International in Bologna, Italy, and AEM’s Annual Conference in Palm Springs, California—the agreement formalizes the partnership between the two associations.

“With the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, AEM and CEMA look forward to enhanced collaboration in order to address key issues of importance and ensure there is alignment between Europe and the US as it relates to our two very important global machinery markets,” commented Curt Blades, Senior Vice President, AEM.

The MoU specifies areas where the associations have agreed to increase cooperation:

Engine emissions;
Autonomous equipment;
Cybersecurity;
Machine safety and technical requirements;
Advanced technology in agriculture, and;
Sustainability.

“This agreement strengthens the transatlantic connection between AEM and CEMA, as we work together to support agricultural equipment manufacturers as they build the products that help feed our world,” explained Jelte Wiersma, CEMA’s Secretary General.

By focusing on these shared priorities, the associations look to help the agricultural machinery industry navigate global markets while advancing innovation, sustainability, and safety standards for the benefit of manufacturers and farmers alike.

The AEM is a North American trade organization representing off-road equipment manufacturers and their value chain partners. For over 125+ years, it has served over 1,100 member companies across 200+ product line sectors such as construction, agriculture, mining, utility, and forestry.

CEMA represents the European agricultural machinery industry, itself containing 11 national member associations. Its membership includes large multinational companies and numerous European SMEs in the sector, representing some 1,300 manufacturers producing more than 450 different types of machines. Member companies produce a range of machinery covering, for example, in-the-field seeding to harvesting and equipment for livestock management.

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