Sherrod Brown, Export-Import Bank president tour Crown Battery factory in Fremont

FREMONT, Ohio — Monday, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown and Export-Import Bank President Reta Jo Lewis visited the Crown Battery factory in Fremont to discuss production and supply chain expansion in the Make More in America initiative.

The EXIM Bank has allowed Crown to export energy storage products to over 65 countries and bring jobs back to the U.S.

"For decades Ohio has lived with the consequences of bad trade and tax policy that encouraged corporations to send production overseas, in search of ever-lower wages," Brown said. "EXIM is critical to bringing those supply chains back home, and supporting Ohio manufacturers like Crown Battery that want to expand production and exports. EXIM's job is to support American businesses in the face of competition — often unfair competition — from countries like China."

The factory creates recyclable batteries, chargers and accessories, $31 million worth of which have been exported since 2014.

Brown and Lewis will continue visiting Ohio companies to connect them with international markets.