Sarah Burns Spotlighted in AEM’s “The Makers” Campaign Featuring Link-Belt Cranes

Meagan Wood
Jan 8
3 min read

30 Second Takeaway

Sarah Burns of Link-Belt Cranes is one of the faces of AEM’s new “The Makers” campaign, which celebrates the skilled men and women whose craftsmanship and dedication power the U.S. equipment manufacturing industry.

Sarah Burns Link-Belt Cranes “The Makers” Campaign

Sarah Burns, a member of the Link-Belt Cranes team, has been featured in “The Makers,” a new national campaign produced by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) to celebrate the people behind America’s equipment manufacturing industry.

The campaign shines a spotlight on the individuals whose skills, pride, and commitment drive the design and production of the equipment that builds, powers, and feeds the world.

Putting People at the Centre of Manufacturing

“The Makers” campaign consists of three short films and a unifying anthem video, each telling the personal stories of workers across the United States.

Link-Belt’s contribution focuses on Sarah Burns, whose story represents the values shared across the equipment manufacturing sector including craftsmanship, problem-solving, and pride in building machines that support critical industries.

By centring on individual experiences, the campaign aims to humanise manufacturing and highlight the real people behind complex equipment.

Representing the Workforce Behind the Machines

According to Kip Eideberg, senior vice president of government and industry relations at AEM, Sarah’s story reflects the heart of the industry:

“Sarah Burns is a strong example of the passion and pride that define our industry. This campaign is a celebration of the people that make our industry strong, the communities they support, and the values they represent: hard work, ingenuity, and the belief that what you make matters.”

The campaign positions workers like Burns as ambassadors for modern manufacturing, showing how individual contribution translates into national impact.

Link-Belt’s Support for Workforce Recognition

Melvin Porter, president and CEO of Link-Belt Cranes, said recognising the people behind the equipment is essential to the company’s mission:

“Every crane we design and manufacture represents the skill, innovation, and dedication of American workers. We proudly support AEM’s ‘The Makers’ campaign because it spotlights the people, the equipment, and the stories moving our nation forward.”

Link-Belt said the campaign reinforces the importance of investing in people, skills development, and policies that support long-term manufacturing success.

Advocacy and Awareness

Alongside the video series, AEM is launching a six-figure advertising campaign in Washington, D.C., aimed at raising awareness among policymakers about:

The economic impact of equipment manufacturing
The importance of workforce development
The need for pro-manufacturing and infrastructure policies

The initiative highlights how individuals like Sarah Burns play a direct role in sustaining the industries that underpin the U.S. economy.

About Link-Belt Cranes

Link-Belt Cranes is a U.S.-based manufacturer of mobile cranes, including telescopic crawler cranes, lattice boom crawlers, Rough Terrain cranes, and truck cranes. Headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky, the company has a long-standing reputation for engineering excellence and a strong commitment to American manufacturing.

Website: https://www.linkbelt.com/

About the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) represents more than 1,100 off-highway equipment manufacturers and suppliers across the agriculture and construction sectors in North America. Through advocacy, market intelligence, and industry engagement, AEM supports approximately 2.3 million jobs and a $316 billion economic impact in the United States.

Website: https://www.aem.org/

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is featured in Link-Belt’s “The Makers” video?

The video features Sarah Burns, representing the people behind Link-Belt Cranes and the broader equipment manufacturing workforce.

What is the goal of “The Makers” campaign?

The campaign aims to celebrate manufacturing workers and highlight the importance of policies that support U.S. manufacturing and workforce development.