PARMA, OH – U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today visited the Parma plant of GrafTech International, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of graphite and carbon-based products. Brown met with employees at GrafTech and toured the company’s laboratory.

“Up and down the Ohio turnpike, we’re seeing next-generation manufacturing taking place, with fuel-efficient cars, solar panels, and wind turbines. GrafTech is part of Ohio’s storied manufacturing history. This company helped make Cleveland the first city in the world with electric street lamps in late 1800s,” Brown said. “By bringing together line workers and engineers, marketers and researchers, we can make our manufacturers more competitive in a 21st-century economy. The security of our nation—its ability to compete in the global clean energy economy and defend itself—depends on our manufacturing capacity.”

GrafTech recently received a $1.15 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to partner with the University of California, Berkeley and SENER Engineering to construct a high-efficiency thermal storage system for solar plants. The company will also benefit from a $3.7 million grant from the economic recovery package, also delivered through the U.S. Department of Energy, to supply the electrodes for what will eventually be the largest utility-scale battery in the US. GrafTech makes a variety of graphite and carbon-based products, including thermal conductors for cell phones, televisions, and laptops.

Brown has been a leader in federal efforts to transform Ohio’s manufacturing base. He is the author of the Investments for Manufacturing Progress and Clean Technology (IMPACT) Act, legislation that would help small to medium-sized manufacturers become more energy-efficient or transition to the clean energy supply chain.  The IMPACT Act would establish a $30 billion Manufacturing Revolving Loan Fund to support these manufacturers as they are expanding or establishing domestic clean energy manufacturing operations or and improving energy efficiency. Ohio—particularly northeast Ohio—is home to dozens of advanced and clean energy companies.

Described as “Congress’ leading proponent of American Manufacturing,” Brown has also held a series of hearings as Chairman of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Economic Policy to examine ways to revitalize American manufacturing. These hearings include: (1) "Lessons from the New Deal", exploring how to apply New Deal era strategy to today's economy, (2) "Manufacturing and the Credit Crisis," evaluating challenges manufacturers face in the current recession; (3) "The U.S. as Global Competitor: What Are the Elements of a National Manufacturing Strategy", examining how best to establish a national manufacturing policy; (4) "Restoring Credit to Manufacturers," investigating the challenges U.S. manufacturers face in the current recession; 5) "Weathering the Storm: Creating Jobs in the Recession," outlining priorities to stimulate job growth and expand manufacturing; and 6) "Restoring Credit to Main Street: Proposals to Fix Small Business Borrowing and Lending Problems.”

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