AEM Manufacturing Express Celebrates American Augers Workforce in Ohio
The AEM Manufacturing Express made a stop at American Augers in West Salem, Ohio, on Sept. 30, bringing the traveling celebration of U.S. manufacturing to more than 150 employees at the underground construction equipment manufacturer. The stop was part of the 2026 AEM Manufacturing Express tour, which has visited manufacturing facilities across the country. The stop at American Augers concluded the 2026 tour.
The event featured remarks from Camilla Thomas of American Augers, Kevin Smith, president of Ditch Witch/American Augers, and representatives of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). Employees also took part in games and activities and were treated to food and prizes.
Following the event, Utility Contractor spoke with Smith about the AEM Manufacturing Express tour, the underground infrastructure market, changing contractor needs and the future of connected jobsites.
Why is it important to partner with AEM for the AEM Manufacturing Express?
“The AEM Manufacturing Express is part of the association’s broader effort to highlight American manufacturing and the people who make it possible. This gives us the opportunity to recognize employees throughout our organization – it’s really just about celebrating the American worker, and it’s proof that American manufacturing is alive and well.
“The people are what make the difference. At the end of the day, the magic behind the brand is the people. They’re the ones that deliver the brand promise to our customer every day. Whether you’re talking here locally in West Salem, Ohio, any of our other manufacturing locations, or in the Ditch Witch dealer network around the world.”
What is the market like for underground infrastructure, and how do Ditch Witch, American Augers, Subsite and Radius HDD fit into that market?
“There are several infrastructure trends creating opportunities for our company’s brands, particularly the continued expansion of fiber and broadband networks, data center construction and investment in energy infrastructure.
“Within the Ditch Witch Division, Ditch Witch focuses on underground construction equipment, Subsite on underground locating and electronics, American Augers on larger directional drilling applications, and Radius on aftermarket HDD tooling. All of those play a part in delivering critical infrastructure. “
How do you see contractor needs changing?
“Labor availability remains one of the primary challenges facing contractors. As a manufacturer, we need to provide equipment that can simplify jobs and improve productivity. Contractors are also looking for greater equipment utilization and uptime to maximize the investment. They’re looking for ways to be more efficient – whether that is delivering more performance in a smaller package or providing strong dealer support that maximizes uptime.”
What does the future jobsite look like, particularly regarding data acquisition and connected data?
“We are moving towards a connected jobsite in which information follows a project from utility locating and planning through installation and documentation. That could include information about existing underground assets, equipment performance, predictive maintenance and the precise location and installation parameters of new infrastructure. It’s using data from the start of a project all the way through to the finish, and being able to provide reliable data for the next project.”
American Augers recently released the M150D. How does it fit into the lineup?
“The M150D cleaning system is designed to provide a more compact option for fluid reclamation. It fills a gap between larger cleaning systems and smaller directional drilling applications. It allows for rapid setup and deployment, and provides fluid mixing and cleaning capabilities across a broader range of drilling equipment.
“Ultimately, the M150D reflects the same trend affecting the broader underground construction market: Contractors are looking for equipment that can be deployed quickly, reduce labor demands and keep projects moving.” Tags: AEM, American Augers, Ditch Witch
