Davids Works “Sharice’s Shift” at Local Manufacturer, Highlights Work to Boost Domestic Supply Chains, Lower Costs

SPRING HILL, KS - Today, Representative Sharice Davids worked a "Sharice's Shift" at Seats Incorporated, a local truck seating manufacturer, to highlight her efforts to make more goods in Kansas. As businesses across the country have grappled with higher costs due to supply chain disruptions, Davids voted for a major bipartisan law to invest in American manufacturing. Seats, Inc. is a client of Kansas Manufacturing Solutions, which recently received renewed annual funding of more than $2 million to support 2,700 small and medium sized manufacturers across Kansas.

"For years, the heavy reliance on foreign-made goods has not only disrupted our domestic supply chain but also led to rising prices for Kansans," said Davids. "To address this issue and bring down costs, we must make more goods at home. Recent bipartisan legislation I backed in Congress is paving the way for our state, and businesses like Seats, Inc., to be a frontrunner in manufacturing, bolstering our economy and the financial security of our families."

“We are honored to welcome Representative Sharice Davids to Seats, Inc. in Spring Hill, KS,” said Tim Stevens, General Manager, Seats, Inc. “Today, she witnessed firsthand the innovative manufacturing processes that drive our commitment to quality seating solutions.  We appreciate her interest in our work and opportunity to showcase how Seats, Inc. contributes to our local community and economy.”

“KMS is thankful to Representative Sharice Davids for her ongoing support of Kansas manufacturers,” said Tiffany Stovall, Chief Executive Officer, Kansas Manufacturing Solutions. “As the Kansas Manufacturing Extension Partnership, our mission is to help Kansas manufacturing firms grow and thrive by providing them direct services and our job is made much easier through legislative support. KMS also recognizes Seats Inc. and their commitment to not only produce quality products, but also for their support of and participation in KMS’s Kansas City Manufacturing Network. Tim Stevens was highlighted by the KCMN members as 2023 Member of the year for his consistent active engagement.”

During the "Sharice's Shift," Davids helped Seats, Inc. employees manufacture seating and accessories for trucks, semi-tractors, highway equipment, and emergency vehicles. Since 2018, Seats, Inc. has expanded in Spring Hill, creating jobs across 150,000 square feet of facilities. Davids shared her work in Congress to lower costs for hardworking Kansans and strengthen domestic supply chains — including voting for the CHIPS and Science Act, which is bringing jobs to Kansas, lowering costs for consumers, and supporting workforce development.

Davids’ additional work to strengthen domestic manufacturing and boost supply chains include:

• Holding multipleroundtables with Kansas business, manufacturing, and technology leaders on how recent legislation to improve supply chains will help boost their business' financial security.
• Cosponsoring the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, a law aimed at addressing supply chain snags and reducing dependence on goods produced outside of the United States.
• Meeting with President Biden at the White House to urge him to pass a supply chain and economic package that invests in American manufacturing.
• Voting to pass the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act to shore up the food and agriculture supply chain, ensure fair competition in the meat and poultry sectors, and lower food and gasoline costs.

Davids, who was named a "Champion of the Shippers" by the Shippers Coalition, has also worked a "Sharice's Shifts" with the KC Levee Project and at the K-10 Lexington Avenue exit, which will be the main roadway for Kansans traveling to the planned Panasonic Energy manufacturing facility. She also worked a shift at a local restaurant and manufacturer to highlight her work to improve supply chains, at a local Price Chopper to discuss lowering grocery costs, and with UPS on her efforts to boost employment in the trucking industry amid driver shortages.