WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 13, 2026) – PCL Construction will highlight the essential role construction plays in strengthening North American manufacturing competitiveness as a sponsor and active participant in the North American Manufacturing Conference, taking place May 13-14 in Washington, D.C. Hosted by the National Association of Manufacturers, the annual gathering convenes manufacturers, policymakers and business leaders from the United States, Canada and Mexico to advance a shared agenda under the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).
As part of the main conference agenda, Andrew Ahrendt, director national manufacturing for PCL, will deliver a Flash Talk offering a practitioner’s perspective on how trade policy translates into real-world manufacturing investment and capacity. His remarks will focus on why construction is a strategic enabler of manufacturing growth, turning policy certainty, cross-border collaboration and investment commitments into operational facilities that strengthen North American supply chains.
“The conversation around USMCA often centers on trade flows and policy frameworks,” Ahrendt said. “Manufacturing competitiveness ultimately depends on execution. Facilities must be sited, designed and built efficiently and reliably. Construction is where trade policy becomes real. North American Manufacturing is no longer ‘coming back’ – it’s being rebuilt.”
The 2026 conference will focus on a Blueprint to Secure North American Manufacturing Dominance, bringing together policymakers and industry leaders to examine the role of North American co-production, global competitiveness and a pro-manufacturing vision for North American trade policy. PCL’s participation underscores the often-overlooked link between manufacturing success and the ability to deliver complex industrial and infrastructure projects at scale.
Through its work supporting manufacturing and industrial projects across the United States and Canada, along with cross-border project experience throughout North America, PCL brings a practical, on-the-ground perspective to the USMCA discussion. The company works with manufacturers and investors to navigate market entry, expansion and supply chain integration, helping reduce risk, improve speed to market and support long-term capital investment decisions.
By sponsoring the event and contributing to its thought leadership program, PCL reinforces its role in helping manufacturers translate North American trade policy into built reality.
About PCL Construction
PCL Construction is one of the most respected and accomplished global construction leaders, comprising independent companies operating throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Australia. With an annual construction volume of $9.9 billion USD, PCL builds projects that shape communities and strengthen infrastructure. The company’s 100% employee ownership model fuels a culture of commitment for clients in the buildings, civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and solar markets. With a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers, PCL’s leadership teams consistently drive innovation and set new benchmarks for excellence, bringing unparalleled skill to every project. Watch us build at PCL.com.