Dr. Ruth Barratt, Rader School of Business department chair and associate professor, served as a voice for the manufacturing industry during a recent trip to Washington, D.C. As an executive board member of the Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity, Barratt and her fellow board members met with a dozen Wisconsin delegates from both parties to discuss manufacturing in Wisconsin.

The Wisconsin Center for Manufacturing and Productivity (WCMP) helps small and medium-sized manufacturers across the state grow, increase profits and compete in the global marketplace. The organization engages with partnerships and initiatives at the local, state and federal levels.

The purpose of the trip was to discuss manufacturing in Wisconsin and how the recent changes in Washington are impacting local businesses and the state overall. One of the main points of discussion was tariffs.

“A lot of our conversations were really trying to help the politicians to understand how those tariffs are actually affecting manufacturing.” Barratt and fellow WCMP board members spoke with both democrats and republicans during their trip to lobby for fair practices. “If we’re going to have tariffs, then there has to be an equal footing.”

Through these conversations, the board members were able to share real stories of their experiences with manufacturing in Wisconsin. The goal of these conversations is for their stories to be carried forward through levels of government up to the presidential level. Barratt was proud to serve as a voice and hopeful the group’s messages will make an impact.

“It makes you feel good to know that people are listening. That’s a great feeling to know that your politicians are actually paying attention to what’s being said.”

In addition to representing Wisconsin, Barratt also got to represent Milwaukee School of Engineering and showcase the advancements at the university. She discussed rapid prototyping at MSOE, the impact of AI on manufacturing and that MSOE is leading the way in applied AI education.  

“I feel really proud of MSOE and being able to share some of the things that we’re doing,” said Barratt.