Ralph Shoveler, left, president of Buffalo Tungsten in Depew, and Production Manager Roger Shoveler, right, listen as Rep. Chris Lee discusses his “Manufacturing for Tomorrow” proposal. Photo by John Rusac Purchase photos at www.beenews.com With a successful county business as the setting, Rep. Chris Lee last week unveiled a five-point plan that he touts as the method by which the nation will secure and create jobs in the manufacturing industry.

Lee, R-District 26, visited Buffalo Tungsten, 2 W. Main St., Depew, on Aug. 26 to roll out his “Manufacturing for Tomorrow” proposal, which he hopes would build the framework for the country to better compete in the global market. The five points of his plan include:

• Providing tax relief and fairness to U.S. workers and businesses, including lowering the corporate rate to 25 percent to increase productivity domestically and significant economic growth.

• Investing in education and workforce training and preparedness for the 21st century, including the extension of Employer Provided Educational Assistance.

• Addressing job-killing lawsuit abuse by capping punitive damages and controlling frivolous lawsuits.

• Stopping intellectual property violations and pirating through customs reform.

• Opening new markets to create U.S. jobs and grow the domestic manufacturing base.

Lee said that the country needs such a plan as it continues to wrestle with near-record unemployment rates, which hovers around 8 percent in New York, according to the state Department of Labor.

“Manufacturing will be what brings this country back,” he said. “It’s about value in this country and putting people back to work. What I want is a level playing field with the rest of the world.”

Buffalo Tungsten Inc. moved to Depew in 1987 and manufactures tungsten powder and tungsten carbide powders for several industries for products such as electrical conductors, X-ray shields, plastic densification, machining tools and road construction. The company owned by the Showalter family employs 61 workers and has never implemented a layoff due to a slowdown in production, Production Manager Roger Showalter said.

Lee chose to make his presentation at Buffalo Tungsten because he sees it as a strong global company that has succeeded through the hard times the nation has faced over the past several years due to the recession.

“I think they’re a wonderful success story,” he said.

While the company ships its products around the world, current regulations at the federal level make success difficult, but the company believes that Lee’s proposals will help.

The family’s success is evident in its numbers. Showalter said that while 80 percent of the world’s tungsten comes from China, company leaders know that they have the skills and knowledge to continue to be a leader in the industry.

“We can compete with China,” Showalter said.

As the Showalters led Lee, members of the business community and media on a tour of the plant, Megan Burns-Moran, executive director of the Lancaster Area Chamber of Commerce, said she was pleased that Lee chose an Erie County business as the backdrop for his announcement. She also agreed that more must be done to help area industries to survive against global competition.

“I think it puts a focus on the importance of manufacturing,” she said.

e-mail: LJohnson@beenews.com