The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) recently led a delegation of small and medium sized member company representatives from the heavy off-road equipment industry on an oil sands trade mission. The trade mission also was sponsored by the American Rental Association (ARA).

The group arrived in Calgary for a briefing on the oil sands industry, and the regulatory and political environment in Alberta. Speakers for the briefing included former Syncrude Vice President Don Thompson, HBW Resources Executive Vice President in Canada Randy Kerr, and TransCanada Pipelines Supply Chain Management Director Grant Martin.

The following day the representatives headed to Ft. McMurray to tour Syncrude Canada and receive a briefing by the Wood Buffalo Regional Municipality on the economic and political status of the oil sands, and future projections of growth and investment in the area.

“The Canada oil sands are a bright spot for safer and securer oil in North America, and show tremendous promise of long-term investment and growth for the U.S. heavy off-road equipment industry,” AEM Vice President of Global Public Policy Nick Yaksich said. “As the industry continues to grow, equipment manufacturers will play an important role in providing the much needed resources for these sites to successfully operate. Swift approval of the Keystone XL pipeline will boost the American economy by creating more manufacturing jobs right here at home.”

“We are incredibly impressed by the advances taking place on the oil sands as this region rapidly becomes a leading global source for secure energy,” ARA Vice President of Government Affairs, John McClelland said. “Equipment rental companies operating in the area are investing heavily in their rental fleets to meet the demand for equipment that continues to expand as oil sands projects expand. State Department approval of the Keystone Pipeline could expand production at the oil sands, and increase demand for rental equipment at the oil sands and all down the pipeline throughout North America. These sands are proof of positive advances in North American energy security and we look forward to continuing to support this important industry.”

The State Department is currently reviewing the proposed permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline. Prompt approval will create over 18,000 high-wage jobs in construction and manufacturing while providing a stable supply of North American energy to consumers in the United States.

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