Congressman Eric Burlison's Manufacturing Tour 2025

September 29, 2025 - Last Friday, U.S. Congressman Eric Burlison (MO-07) toured two high-tech Joplin manufacturing facilities during his 2025 Manufacturing Tour. Two state legislators, Rep. Bob Bromley (R-Carl Junction) and Rep. Cathy Jo Loy (R-Carthage) also attended, along with Dusty Cruise (Missouri Enterprise), Ray McCarty and Matthew Smith (Associated Industries of Missouri), educators and students potentially interested in manufacturing careers.

The tour started at EaglePicher Technologies, a leading American battery and energetic devices designer and manufacturer serving the defense, aerospace and other industries. The group learned EaglePicher is a major supplier of missile batteries, with approximately 85 percent market share. As the leading provider of thermal battery systems to the Department of Defense, EaglePicher supplies power for the majority of the U.S. military’s missile and precision guided munitions systems. Their products are used in defense systems such as precision guided weapons, missiles, torpedoes, and advanced programs including directed energy weapons, hyper-sonic systems, and unmanned underwater vehicles.

Next, the group toured Ducommun, a global provider of manufacturing and engineering services, developing innovative electronic, engineered and structural solutions for complex applications in aerospace, defense and industrial markets. Ducommun Incorporated supplies proprietary products and services that deliver meaningful value and contributes to the advancement of the aviation, defense and space industries.

"Touring these two impressive companies gave all of us a sense of pride," said Ray McCarty, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Missouri. "Joplin, Missouri, is not only a leading manufacturing center in Missouri, but Joplin manufacturers are using (and creating) state-of-the-art techologies to make products used all over the world."

In a press conference at Missouri Southern State University, Congressman Burlison emphasized the importance of manufacturing in Missouri.

“Today, we toured facilities that help power submarines, launch missiles, and even put Americans in space," said Congressman Burlison. "Without the innovation happening right here in Joplin, our nation wouldn’t be exploring and advancing like it is. I couldn’t be more proud of the role this community plays in building America’s future.”

McCarty also stressed the importance of helping the next generation understand that smart people are needed to seek careers in American manufacturing.

AIM president/CEO Ray McCarty

"In the 1990's and early 2000's, our national and state government leaders were satisfied allowing other countries to lead in manufacturing," he said. "We are delighted to see our national and state leaders making changes designed to bring that manufacturing back home. But that is going to require young people to get the training they need to succeed in today's modern manufacturing environment. Today's manufacturers often employ sophisticated machinery and robotics, and many are beginning to use artificial intelligence to increase production. We need smart people to learn these trades. Tours like these help stimulate interest in manufacturing careers in students and educators and we are thankful to Ducommun and EaglePicher for hosting exciting tours of their facilities, to Congressman Burlison and his staff for organizing the tour with the assistance of Missouri Enterprise, the state representatives, educators, and students that attended the tour for their interest in modern Missouri manufacturing, and Missouri Southern State University for hosting lunch and the press conference."

In addition to the tour last week, Associated Industries of Missouri reminds everyone MFG Day® is October 3, 2025. MFG Day®, an initiative of the Manufacturing Institute—the workforce development and education affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers—empowers manufacturers to come together and address their collective challenges and build excitement about manufacturing careers to help their communities and future generations thrive. Many manufacturers host tours for students and others interested in manufacturing careers. Learn more here: https://mfgday.com/