Congresswoman Pushes Domestic Production During Company Tour | New

GRAY – U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-1st, told officials at a specialist electronics service maker in Gray that she would like to see their company get a share of the production business that is now going overseas.

Following a visit from Industrial Electronics Services Inc., 122 Kwick Way Lane, the MP said she would “brag about the company” to the “powers that be” in Washington, DC

“We want to be self-sufficient,” Harshbarger told IES executives, referring to his willingness to strengthen the production and supply chain capabilities of the United States.

Harshbarger said she would “release information” about the company, which has classified contracts with the US Department of Defense, NASA and NASCAR.

Tim Coleman, chief operating officer of IES, said the company is a leading provider of electronics manufacturing services. He said the company “produces printed circuit boards” for the military, aerospace, transportation and medical industries.

He has stated that the products produced by his company and the technology used to manufacture them are the exclusive property of IES.

“Our processes are privileged and protected,” Coleman said. “We want to be part of Congressman Harshbarger’s solution to making this nation self-sufficient and self-reliant.”

Kathy Mullins, president and CEO of IES, said her company has operated in Gray for 33 years. Mullins said the company currently has 69 employees, a number that has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, but has employed up to 100 in recent years.

She told Harshbarger that the business had “room for expansion.”

Larry Mullins, COO of IES, said the company was now operating at “one-third of our capacity.”

Bob Cantler, president and CEO of the Johnson City / Jonesborough / Washington County Chamber of Commerce, accompanied Harshbarger on a visit to the IES early Tuesday. He said the visit, hosted by the National Association of Manufacturers, was an opportunity “to put the member in touch with businesses she may not be aware of” in Washington County.

He noted that IES is one such company. Cantler said the company is known for building products used on Mars (especially components for the Mars rover) and in cars on Earth (items used for NASCAR races).