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Showing posts from 2014

New PMA Membership Video

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We've just released a new membership video!   Check it out on YouTube to learn more about PMA and hear testimonials from current members about our value.

Press Release: Manufacturers Urge Congress to Pass Important Tax Extenders Legislation

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Manufacturers Urge Congress to Pass Important Tax Extenders Legislation R&D Tax Credit, Section 179 Expensing and Bonus Depreciation Keys to Keeping U.S. Manufacturing Strong Washington, DC, December 2, 2014 – The National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) and the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) today urged Congress to pass a tax extenders bill this month that makes key tax provisions used by U.S. manufacturers permanent, including the R&D Tax Credit, Section 179 Expensing and extending Bonus Depreciation for all of 2014 and 2015.  These tax provisions, which Congress allowed to expire last year, help NTMA and PMA members and thousands of other manufacturers across the country make investments in technology and hire more workers. “It’s time for Congress to end the uncertainty and pass a tax extenders bill that makes permanent tax provisions that are boosting manufacturing and creating jobs,” said NTMA President Dave Tilstone.  “Manufacturers need t

Guest Post from AAPI Energy: Energy Outlook 2015: Extreme Weather

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Last winter’s extremely cold temperatures caused high energy costs for unprepared customers, some of whom are still feeling repercussions today. As the 2014-2015 winter season approaches, customers are asking if energy prices will continue to rise, and how they should prepare and budget. It appears that electricity and natural gas prices reached historic lows in April 2012. Prices are likely to steadily increase through 2017. During the first half of November 2014, a series of winter storms delivered heavy snowfall to the Midwest, New England, and regions as far as West Texas. Accumulation amounts were the highest that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Snow Analysis has archived for the early November timeframe since 2003. Weather forecasters are predicting another cold winter in the U.S. Below-normal temperatures are expected to encompass two-thirds of the U.S., particularly the East Coast and Gulf Coast. Above-average precipitation and heavy snowfal

PMA Member Wes Smith Speaks at Hill Staff Briefing on Tax Issues for Manufacturers

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Wes Smith on the Hill Last week, PMA member Wes Smith visited Washington, DC and spoke at a Hill staff briefing about several important tax issues for manufacturers including bonus depreciation and investment provisions. Wes said, "Not only do we need to maintain investment tax provisions such as Bonus Depreciation and Section 179 Expensing, manufacturers need some stability. We need to plan ahead." He continued, "Unfortunately, Congress is not helping. Uncertainty from Washington causes employers like us to slow or stop investing. If we can’t make these provision permanent, at the very least, Congress must extend them for all of 2014 and 2015." Wes is president and CEO of E&E Manufacturing based in Plymouth, Michigan. Read Wes's full remarks below:

PMA Receives "Delivering on the Promise" Award from American Jobs for America's Heroes

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Last week, PMA was recognized for our work on helping our country's military veterans find employment in the manufacturing sector. We were a recipient of the first annual "Delivering on the Promise Awards" from the non-profit military hiring campaign, American Jobs for America's Heroes. Here are a few pictures of PMA President Bill Gaskin at award reception in Washington, DC. For more on the event, read the press release in the post below this one. PMA President Bill Gaskin and Keith Kelly, Assistant Secretary, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service, U.S. Department of Labor  Bill speaking at the podium before accepting PMA's award Bill being given the award by Brig General Ivan E Denton, Director of Manpower and Personnel, National Guard Bureau 

Press Release: One Voice Honored with Award from American Jobs for America’s Heroes

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Last week, we were honored to be among the recipients of a "Delivering on the Promise Honor Roll" award from American Jobs for America's Heroes, a non-profit military hiring campaign. PMA is an avid supporter of our brave men and women in uniform and works with the campaign to attract returning members of the military to open jobs in the manufacturing sector.  We're grateful to have been recognized.  Here's a press release about the event. One Voice Honored with Award from American Jobs for America’s Heroes First Annual Award Recognizes Manufacturing Associations’ Work to Hire Members of the Military  Washington, DC, October 29, 2014 – The National Tooling and Machining Association and the Precision Metalforming Association were recognized last week as part of the first annual “Delivering on the Promise Honor Roll Awards”.  The awards were given by American Jobs for America’s Heroes (AJAH), a non-profit military hiring campaign coordinated between

Executive Development: Achieving Leadership Excellence

In today’s highly competitive, global business environment it is essential for executives to stay exceptionally aware of the latest technology and trends impacting their industry. In order for them to continue to lead and sustain their organization, they must achieve outstanding levels of performance.  Executive development programs provide the resources necessary for leaders to heighten their productivity and better execute key organizational strategies. To support the unique community of leaders in the manufacturing industry, the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) is proud to be hosting the first annual Executive Development Academy (EDA) on January 7 - 9,  2015 in Tampa, FL.  Key EDA topics include: Generational Issues & How to Solve Them - Strategies and tips to help you avoid generational collisions, implementing strategies for recruiting and retaining millennials. Successful Negotiation of Business Contracts (Terms and Conditions ) - Thirty ideas in 75 m

Press Release: One Voice Celebrates Manufacturing Day

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PMA members across the country celebrated Manufacturing Day this year, taking part in the more than 1,676 events held to attract new workers to the manufacturing sector. Here's a One Voice press release about the day: Washington, DC – On Friday, October 3, 2014, manufacturers across the country will open their doors to students, parents, educators, job seekers and other members of their local communities for tours and information sessions in celebration of national Manufacturing Day (MFG Day). The National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) and the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) – together known as One Voice - are Silver Sponsors of this year’s MFG Day, supporting efforts to spread the word about opportunities in modern U.S. manufacturing. MFG Day 2014 comes as the sector’s pace of growth rose in August  to its highest level in three years.  But, despite the sector’s growth, manufacturing employers continue to have difficulty finding skilled workers to fi

Women in Manufacturing Group Releases New Survey

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Over the past few days, Women in Manufacturing has held their fourth annual SUMMIT in Schaumburg, IL.  As a reminder, Women in Manufacturing (WiM) is a group powered by PMA and dedicated to attracting, retaining and advancing women in the manufacturing sector.  During this year's SUMMIT, WiM released the results of a new survey which has implications for the future of recruiting women into the manufacturing sector.  Read the following press release about the survey for highlights of the results. New Survey Shows Keys to Recruitment of Women to Manufacturing  Sector New Women in Manufacturing Group’s Survey Results Released Ahead of Manufacturing Day Schaumburg, IL - With national Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) set for this Friday, October 3, 2014, a new survey shows that there is one group of potential employees that should not be overlooked – young women.   Women in Manufacturing, (WiM) , a group of nearly 500 women dedicated to attracting, retaining and advancing wome

WiM Featured in USA Today Centerfold Insert on Manufacturing in America

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If you live in Chicago, Atlanta, D.C./Baltimore, San Francisco, Detroit, Houston, or New York and you picked up a copy of USA Today this morning, you would have seen a centerfold insert titled, "Manufacturing in America." Flip open to the insert's second page, and you'd see a page-long piece authored by WiM Director Allison Grealis titled, "Bridging the Gender Gap in Manufacturing." In the article, Allison describes the growing opportunities for women in today's manufacturing sector and what WiM is doing to support women in manufacturing. Don't live in one of the print markets?  No problem!  Check out the digital copy here .

PMA Chairman featured in U.S. News Story on Alleviating the Skills Gap

Jody Fledderman, Batesville Tool & Die President and PMA Chairman, was recently featured in a U.S. News & World Report story on how job training programs are helping manufacturers replace an aging workforce. The article cites the results of a new Accenture study with the Manufacturing Institute on the skills gap in the U.S.  manufacturing sector.  The study referred to the growing skills gap as “storm clouds on the horizon that could indeed dampen growth” and showed that more than 75 percent of manufacturers surveyed reported a “moderate to severe” shortage of skilled workers.  At the same time, the survey pointed out that most companies surveyed plan to increase U.S. based production in the next five years. Throughout the country, communities are beginning to recognize the opportunity to train individuals for these higher paying jobs. And that is where PMA Chairman Jody Fledderman comes in.  He participates in a program in Batesville, OH that allows local businesses

One Voice Cheers President Obama’s Signing of Workforce Training Bill

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President Obama signed the new workforce training bill into law today, as anticipated.  PMA and our One Voice partner, NTMA, have long been supporters of efforts to get the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ("WIOA") passed and signed.  Get more information on the new law in our press release below -  One Voice Cheers President Obama’s Signing of Workforce Training Bill Manufacturing Associations Hope that New Legislation Will Help Combat Sector’s Growing Skills Gap Washington, DC - The National Tooling and Machining Association and the Precision Metalforming Association, together known as “One Voice,” today applaud President Obama’s signing of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (H.R. 803) . The bipartisan bill, which passed both the House and the Senate by wide margins, updates the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and covers dozens of job training programs.  The legislation, “WIOA,” is part of ongoing efforts to close the skills gap in the U.S. m

Latest PMA Business Conditions Report Shows Predictions of Status Quo

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The latest PMA Business Conditions Report is out.  The July 2014 data reveals that a smaller number of surveyed metalforming companies predict that economic activity will improve during the next three months than predicted growth in June 2014.  At the same time, a larger number of companies predict steady or declining conditions. Read our press release about this month's results below - Business Conditions Report: July 2014   CLEVELAND, OH—July 21, 2014—According to the July 2014 Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) Business Conditions Report, metalforming companies expect a slight decline in business conditions during the next three months.  Conducted monthly, the report is an economic indicator for manufacturing, sampling 122 metalforming companies in the United States and Canada. The July report shows that 28% of participants predict that economic activity will improve during the next three months (down from 31% in June), 58% expect that activity will remain unch

PMA Member Helps to Inspire Revamp of Job Training Programs in the U.S.

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This past week, the United States House and Senate nearly unanimously passed a revamp of federal workforce training programs, and the bill is expected to be signed by President Obama soon. The bill authorizes more than $50 billion over six years for programs that aim to help youth and veterans seek the skills they need to be hired in today's STEM workforce. The overhaul eliminates 15 programs found to be duplicative or dormant since Congress last worked on the issues 16 years ago. Many credit the passing of this bill to the examples of already exiting private and public partnerships that pair workers with employers in need. An article published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune hightlighted the story of PMA member Erick Ajax, owner of the precision metal company, E.J. Ajax. According to the article , Ajax has hired a number of employees who might have been overlooked by others, after ensuring that they get the proper training.  Working with nearby Hennepin Technical

Monster Article On Manufacturing Opportunity Quotes PMA Member

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The skills gap in the manufacturing sector continues to be a hot topic in the news. A recent  article posted on the Monster blog  describes how the modern resurgence of manufacturing is being held back by this major challenge for U.S. manufacturers.  Monster, best known for their online platform for job seekers, publishes blog posts on employment trends in various sectors including manufacturing.  “Contrary to popular belief,” author Bret Silverberg wrote in the July 2, 2014 article, “the demands of the manufacturing industry today require significant technological expertise.” PMA member Drew Greenblatt, president of the Baltimore, Maryland-based Marlin Steel Wire Products , shares his experience with the evolving manufacturing sector in the Monster piece .  “People think of the production lines, and what people did in the 1920s,” he is quoted as saying.  “That’s out of date. It’s not measuring what’s really happening in American manufacturing. … Factories today are very sleek t

PMA Applauds the Senate's Approval of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

PMA was pleased this week to see the Senate pass the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.  One of the largest challenges facing U.S. manufacturers today is the limited number of skilled workers available.  Congressional actions like this one can help us increase the number of people we can hire, boosting job numbers and pushing American manufacturing forward.  Here's a press release we released with the National Tooling and Machining Association on the bill. ONE VOICE APPLAUDS SENATE-APPROVED WORKFORCE TRAINING BILL The National Tooling and Machining Association and the Precision Metalforming Association applauded the U.S. Senate for passing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), H.R. 803 this week by a vote of 95-3. The bipartisan bill updates the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which covers dozens of job training programs. That bill expired in 2003 and had not been updated in over 15 years, part of the reason for today’s skills gap in manufacturing.  

Press Release: Precision Metalforming Association Announces New Board Members

CLEVELAND, OH—June 26, 2014—The Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) is pleased to announce the election of 10 new members to the association’s Board of Directors. PMA represents the $113-billion metalforming industry of North America and includes 900 member companies located across the United States and Canada. The new additions to the Board include: Associate Member Directors Troy Roberts , president and managing director, AIDA-America Corporation, Dayton, OH Troy Turnbull , president, Industrial Innovations, Inc., Grandville, MI Mark Ullstrup , VP of sales and marketing, Superior Die Set Corp., Oak Creek, WI At-Large Directors Douglas Johnson , vice president of operations, Marion Manufacturing Company, Cheshire, CT District Directors Jessica Abrahamse , VP of sales, Surface Heat Treat and Coatings, Stoney Creek, Ontario (PMA Canada District) William Carper , VP of operations, Columbian Home Products, LLC, Terre Haute, IN (Indiana District) Keith O’Bri

PMA Sponsors MFG Day

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PMA was in the news last week when it was announced that we joined the roster of Manufacturing Day 2014 as a Silver Sponsor. As a reminder, Manufacturing Day is an annual event that takes place in communities across the nation with the goal of supporting local manufacturing. This year, on October 3, manufacturing facilities will open their doors to students, parents, job seekers, and other community members to experience modern manufacturing technology and learn about careers. Our sponsorship is important.  We'll be helping to reach a maximum number of local manufacturers and assisting in coordinating a grassroots effort to improve the public perception of manufacturing in America. PMA's sponsorship earned praise from FMA, one of Manufacturing Day's co-producers.  “The co-producers could not be more pleased that these organizations, which are so dedicated to serving their respective sectors of the manufacturing industry, are putting their full support behind Manuf

Batesville Steps up For Manufacturing Education

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On June 9, PMA Chairman and CEO of Batesville Tool & Die, Jody Fledderman, was featured on Inside INdiana Business to discuss his company’s involvement in a manufacturing education program in southeast Indiana. Jody Fledderman PMA Chairman and CEO of Batesville Tool & Die Batesville Tool & Die, along with the Batesville School Corporation, IvyTech Community College, and three other local area businesses, have teamed up to give high school students a chance to gain hands-on experience in the modern manufacturing world. Inside Indiana Business reported that, through the program, freshmen and sophomore students can take elective courses featuring design and manufacturing curriculums. After an application process, juniors can then enter a 2-year program which allows them to gain college credit as well as access to internship and shadowing opportunities. Happily, the piece indicated, the program continues to grow each year.  Next Fall, more than 25 students will

New Research on California's Skills Gap Unveiled at PMA Member Facility

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On May 29, 2014, business leaders, education officials, and community members gathered at PMA member Walker Corporation’s manufacturing facility to announce the release of a new research report by ReadyNation/America’s Edge. The report comes in response to employer concerns about California’s growing skills gap and the need to fill high-skilled positions. Michael Bermudez, Vice President and General Manager of Walker Corporation spoke to the need for finding candidates with “good problem-solving skills and basic understanding of how to provide leadership on the manufacturing room.” Additionally, Bermudez shared that many companies are finding difficulty in filling high-skilled positions due to a work-force with limited education. The report, entitled “ Fortifying the Inland Empire’s Talent Pipeline: Closing our “Skills Gaps” through Linked Learning ,” suggests that, by 2020, over 66 percent of jobs created in California will require formal education beyond high school. Recognizing

Press Release: National Press Club to Host Newsmaker on Manufacturing, Energy “Skills Gap”

 The United States manufacturing and energy sectors employ more than 16 million U.S. workers directly and creates millions more jobs in related industries.   But U.S. manufacturers are struggling with the problem of the "skills gap"—employers looking to hire, but unable to find qualified, skilled workers.   Adding to the problem, three million employees are expected to retire in the next decade.   What:   A National Press Club (NPC) Newsmaker, a news conference that is open to all credentialed press, members of the National Press Club and their guests, and all National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) and Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) members who are in Washington, DC for the One Voice legislative conference Who:     Panelists will include: Jody Fledderman, Chairman, Precision Metalforming Association Ted Toth, Chairman, National Tooling and Machining Association Steve Nowlan, American Jobs for America's Heroes Mark Volk,

PMA Chairman Quoted by Associated Press on Springtime Manufacturing Growth

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Associated Press writer Paul Wiseman recently wrote that US manufacturing numbers are heating up with the rising springtime temperatures. A number of reports, Wiseman notes, showed a slow in manufacturing growth during the especially cold and difficult winter.  But those figures are turning around as the weather improves. Wiseman explains that one factor helping to drive the growth is a recent increase in manufacturing.  He points to Federal Reserve data which shows that factory production climbed 0.5 percent in the month of March.  Wiseman concludes that US manufacturers are expecting more growth to follow. To illustrate the improvement, Wiseman offers PMA Chairman and Batesville Tool & Die president and CEO Jody Fledderman. “We feel like the auto industry is all the way back from before the recession,” the article quotes Fledderman as saying, “The numbers we see are fully recovered from then. We expect to see 4 to 8 percent increases in the industry overall for the next

Senator Cory Booker Visits Weiss-Aug

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On April 16, PMA member company Weiss-Aug had some high profile visitors. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and several members of his staff along with East Hanover Mayor Joe Pannullo, East Hanover Police Chief Stan Hansen, and West Caldwell Mayor Joe Tempesta stopped by Weiss-Aug to discuss the Leveraging and Energizing America’s Apprenticeship Program (LEAP) Act, which was recently introduced in Congress. Senator Cory Booker visits with Weiss-Aug apprentices The LEAP Act provides a tax credit to employers to help increase the number of registered apprenticeships in the United States, put more people to work and help fill the 4 million job vacancies across the United States. The U.S. Department of Labor recommended Weiss-Aug for Senator Booker’s visit and his legislative kickoff. The visit included a tour of Weiss-Aug’s modernized manufacturing plant.  Moving through the facility, the tour showcased metal stamping, insert/injection molding and assembly processes. A group ph

PMA Member is "Ohio Strong"

"There is a quiet crisis upon us with a shortage of young Americans pursuing careers in manufacturing and the skilled trades, and in order to combat it and prosper as a country, we must work together to encourage young people to enter these fields." - Josh Mandel, Treasurer of Ohio Josh Mandel, Treasurer of the state of Ohio, has recently unveiled the Ohio Strong Award, which is now being given to men and women throughout Ohio who are excelling in caeers in manufacturing and the skilled trades.  By highlighting the accomplishments of these individuals, Mandel and his office hope to raise public awareness of Ohio's need for more workers in the manufacturing sector and of the promising careers available in the field. And a PMA member is among the Award's first recipients! John Incorvaia of Toledo Metal Spinning Co. in Toledo, Ohio was given the Award on Monday.  During the presentation, Mandel said, "My hope is that if young people throughout the Toledo area

PMA Member Kevin Harberts Takes Washington

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Kevin Harberts PMA Member Kevin Harberts testified yesterday before the House Small Business Committee Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access.  The hearing was titled, Made in the U.S.A.: Small Businesses and a New Domestic Manufacturing Renaissance , and it was held in order to determine whether re-shoring is currently occurring, what factors might be influencing this trend, and what a growth in American manufacturing could mean for small businesses. Check out our press release about the hearing and follow the link to read Mr. Harberts' full testimony. Precision Metalforming Association Member Kevin Harberts Urges Congress to Bring Manufacturing Back Home Kryton Metals President and CEO Testifies Before House Small Business Subcommittee Washington, DC - Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) member Kevin Harberts called on Congress today to support industry efforts to bring manufacturing back to America—for good.  Harberts, president and CEO of