Plans Set for 2013 National Robotics League Championship

Mark your calendars for May 17-19, 2013, when one of the most innovative and fun annual events that NTMA supports -- the National Robotics League (NRL) finals -- takes place in Indianapolis.

The NRL allows middle school, high school and post-secondary school students to partner with NTMA member companies in their communities in order to build sophisticated, high-tech robots that do battle with one another inside a ring.  The competition stirs intense excitement among student competitors from across the country, who get the chance to apply their math skills to something that produces a tangible result.  In the bargain, they come to see manufacturing in an entirely different light.

NTMA founded the NRL to address two central challenges that U.S. manufacturing has been facing for years. The first involves the need to fill positions with workers that have the increasingly rare technical skills so many of our members are seeking. And the second is all about overcoming myths to reveal the reality that manufacturing is high-tech, exciting, financially rewarding ... and growing!

Past NRL competitions have been increasingly well attended, with students competing from all over the country.  This year, the competition is timed to closely coincide with the upcoming NTMA Purchasing Fair on May 16-17 at the JW Marriott Indianapolis.  So if you're already in the area, plan to come by to show your support for the students and for our industry!

If you want to stay in the loop about activities related to the NRL, you can click here to sign up for the monthly NRL newsletter to get updates on the competition (and, we promise, nothing else!).

Below: action shot from a past competition:

Out and About - Visit to NTMA Chapters and Members

One of the great strengths of joining NTMA is the ability you get to connect with fellow manufacturers, taking advantage of networking opportunities that can lead to new business, help you learn more about developments in our industry, or exchange thoughts about common challenges we face as small businesses today.

Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting our St. Louis Chapter, where I met with our members, was invited to take a number of plant tours, and connected with two new members, ALM Tech Group and AP Industries.  The photo below shows me swearing in the 2012-2013 Chapter Board of Directors.

Here's a link to a story about the visit with a couple of more photos....

Also, Bob Mosey, the president of Anaheim-CA based Mosey Production Machinists and who will be my successor as NTMA Chairman, recently visited the NTMA chapter in Connecticut - the Connecticut Tooling & Machining Association.  Our active Connecticut chapter has a tradition of inviting the incoming NTMA chair to their holiday party.  Bob (below left) was treated to a shop tour of East Hartford based Horst Engineering hosted by Horst’s President and CEO Scott Livingston (below middle) and Jim Bowtruczyk (below right), who also serves on CTMA's board.

Horst posted a piece about Bob's visit here.

It's great to keep connected with the chapters through these regularly scheduled NTMA events. There's no better way for us as as small businesses to thrive in the future than to stay in touch with each other and stay tuned to what's going on in our industry!

Congratulations to Jeff Kelly, Recipient of NTMA's L.A. Sommer Memorial Award

Our fall conference in Nashville produced a number of great discussions and good opportunities to network and learn more about our industry.  It also allowed us to recognize some of our members for what they have achieved professionally over the years.

Jeff Kelly, owner of Trafford, PA-based Hamill Manufacturing, was recognized with NTMA's most prestigious award: the "L.A. Sommer Memorial Award", which is given to members for their exceptional service, dedication and leadership in the industry.

Jeff is a former National Chairman of NTMA and member of the Executive Team.  He has been a leader on one of our industry's most pressing issues -- the need to find skilled workers to take on positions in our increasingly sophisticated industry.  Jeff launched an effort under the NTMA Government Affairs and Education Teams to seek multi-year federal funding for the development of recruiting and training centers in select NTMA chapter areas.  Initially names PJAM, for "Precision Jobs for American Manufacturing", the program later became known as AMPED, "Advanced Manufacturing Practices and Educational Development."

Jeff also stepped in when our association needed him most, serving as Interim CEO of NTMA for 3 years beginning in 2005 following the resignation of NTMA's president.  Jeff committed himself to making sure that our association had the leadership in place that it needed during this time, implementing numerous streamlining and cost saving initiatives while leading the search for a new association president.  Jeff currently servces on our Board of Trustees and on the NTMA Insurance and NTMF Boards.

The members of NTMA owe a great deal to Jeff for his commitment to both our association and our industry as a whole.  We are better off for his contributions, and our heartfelt gratitude goes out to Jeff in appreciation for all that he has accomplished.  Congratulations, Jeff!

Great Meeting in Nashville...and Don't Forget to Vote!

I want  to give a big thanks to everyone who was involved in making this year's Fall Conference in Nashville a big success!  We had excellent turnout both for the conference and the Contract Manufacturing Purchasing Fair that took place just beforehand.  Thanks to the terrific speakers, great discussions and networking events -- and the success of the Purchasing Fair itself -- this year's theme of "Transforming for Competitiveness" came through strongly throughout the week's events. 

I'd also like to salute NTMA member Herb Homeyer of Homeyer Tool and Die Co. in Marthasville, Missouri.  Herb was awarded the William E. Hardman Award for Excellence in Training for his "lifelong dedication to improving the quality of training and promoting career opportunities for young men and women in the precision custom manufacturing industry."  (See photo below.)  It's through the efforts of people like Herb that our industry is set to prosper going into the future.  Congratulations again, Herb!

Finally, as we look to Election Day next Tuesday, remember how important it is for us all to get involved.  As I've mentioned before, manufacturers and their families account for roughly seven percent of the voting age population in this election.  Our voices -- expressed by our ballots -- can make a big impact on the outcome of what looks to be a very close election.

For information about where the candidates stand on issues that are important to our industry, you can always visit our advocacy website at www.metalworkingadvocate.org. 

And remember, whatever the outcome next week, NTMA will be fighting on your behalf in Washington, DC!

[Photo below: Roger Atkins, Dave Tilstone and William Hardman Award Winner Herb Homeyer on stage at the 2012 NTMA Fall Conference.]

Today is Manufacturing Day!

NTMA is proud to help sponsor today’s nationwide event, "Manufacturing Day".  With plant tours, career workshops and other events taking place at facilities across the U.S. today, our industry is generating much deserved attention throughout the country.

As many of us in the industry are aware, there is an abundance of promising career opportunities available in manufacturing today.  Thanks to Manufacturing Day, we are getting that word out to students, parents, educators, media, customers, suppliers and the communities at large in which our facilities provide essential jobs and economic activity.

NTMA is co-sponsoring “Manufacturing Day” with the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA), the U.S. Commerce Department’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), and the Manufacturing Institute. 

For more information, visit the Manufacturing Day website.

Hats off to those of you who’ve opened your doors, participated in events and helped raise the profile of our industry today!

Campaign Season Brings Candidates to Members' Facilities

This election season, manufacuturing is playing a prominent role in the campaign.  Candidates are increasingly focusing on the importance of making sure U.S. manufacturing remains strong, and issues such as tax reform, regulations, international trade and job training pop up on the campaign trail every day.  NTMA members have often been tapped to host elected officials and political candidates from both parties for plant tours throughout the year. 

Recently, Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney visited PR Machine Works in Ontario, Ohio, a key battleground state in the presidential election.  Gov. Romney's visit marks the fourth time an NTMA member has hosted a presidential candidate in Ohio in just the past three months.

Owners Zoi and Mark Romanchuk actively support NTMA's advocacy initiatives in Washington to urge elected officials to strengthen American manufacturing.  Zoi is a former NTMA Government Affairs Committee Chair, and Mark not only plays an important role in NTMA’s advocacy efforts, but has taken matters into his own hands by running for State Representative in Ohio’s 2^nd District.

Roughly 2,500 people assembled at PR Machine Works to hear Gov. Romney outline his plan for the manufacturing sector by reforming health care, focusing on energy independence, increasing access to skilled training programs, curtailing unfair trade practices and cutting the federal budget deficit.  Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH) and other officials were also present.

Events like these show NTMA's growing influence as the face of small and medium-sized manufacturing in America.  Our voices are growing stronger thanks to our members! 

As November 6 draws near, keep in mind that manufacturers and their families make up roughly seven percent of the voting age population this time around.  If just half of us vote, our ballots alone could help shape the outcome of this election.

To learn more about where the candidates stand on issues important to manufacturers and how to get involved in the election, remember to visit our new advocacy website at www.metalworkingadvocate.org.

(Above photo: Mitt Romney speaks at PR Machine Works; Below: Mark Romanchuk talks to Sen. Portman and Gov. Romney.)

Congrats to John Haake of Titanova Inc.

Congrats to NTMA member John Haake, President of St.Louis-based Titanova, Inc., for receiving the 2012 Missouri “Entrepreneur of the Year Award”.  John was given the award at the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development, hosted by Missouri Governor Jay Nixon.  

The Missouri “Entrepreneur of the Year” award is given to a company executive who demonstrates significant leadership in launching a new business, creating jobs through an innovative business concept, or developing a new technology or adopting an innovative manufacturing process.  The company must have fewer than 100 employees. 

The award cited John’s ability to develop and continually adapt “a high technology-based business plan to move his company into new applications and new markets.” 

NTMA is proud of John Haake and the many members like him whose innovative spirit provides jobs and helps fuel our country's economic growth.  Congratulations John!

Manufacturing Day Is Coming October 5th

NTMA is proud to be a sponsor of "Manufacturing Day", which will be celebrated nationally on October 5th, 2012.  The initiative aims to help promote our industry to Americans while publicizing the many promising career opportunities that exist in manufacturing.

NTMA is co-sponsoring “Manufacturing Day” with the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA), the U.S. Commerce Department’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), and the Manufacturing Institute.

On October 5th, participating facilities all around the country will open their doors to interested members of the public, conducting tours, career workshops and other events designed to raise the profile of our industry, showcasing its reach into communities throughout the U.S. and highlighting today's increasingly sophisticated and technology-driven career opportunities.

Word about "Manufacturing Day" is starting to get around, with organizations like NTMA putting out press releases about the event and the media beginning to take notice. 

Keep an eye out for more news about Manufacturing Day and consider getting involved -- it could be good for your company and good for our industry!

NTMA Member Roy Sweatman Warns of Damage to Manufacturing by Automatic Defense Cuts in Orlando Sentinel Op-Ed

Congrats to Roy Sweatman for his op-ed in today's Orlando Sentinel "Reckless Defense Cuts Would Hurt Small Firms and Military."

In the op-ed, Roy points out that a most specialized skills and technical expertise are found in the defense and aerospace supply chain made up of small and medium sized companies across the United States.  "Seventy cents out of each military purchasing dollar goes to such supply-chain firms, which are home to more than two-thirds of defense manufacturing jobs."

Because Congress and the President failed to reach a long term deal on spending, automatic spending cuts will start on January 2, 2013.  The automatic spending cuts would result in a $492 billion cut in defense spending and $171 billion in entitlement programs.  The process is known as "sequestration" where an amount of money equal to the difference between a cap set by a budget resolution and the amount appropriated is "sequestered" by the U.S. Treasury Dept.  In order to pressure themselves to make a deal, Congress authorized automatic spending cuts for both defense and entitlement programs if they could not reach an agreement on spending.  To date, no agreement has been reached.

Roy warns in the op-ed:

Such abrupt and indiscriminate cuts will wreak havoc on the aerospace defense chain of supply as they flow down from the large prime contractors to the small businesses that do so much of the actual work. Economists say more than 1 million defense-connected jobs could be lost in 2013. That means a proportional hit of 600,000 jobs at small and midsized manufacturing shops. Congress might have aimed for a few wealthy megafirms, but it's machine shops, tool and die presses, and family-owned businesses in every district in every state that will take the ultimate hit.

The cost in jobs is painful enough, but the loss of technical excellence and capabilities is an even greater concern. My company, for example, has the only water jet deburring system in the U.S. — basically a computer-controlled machine using a tiny stream of high-pressure water to remove metal imperfections in high-grade mechanical parts.

NTMA's One Voice team in Washington, DC is conveying this same message to Members of Congress and the Administration.

Congratulations Roy for describing the peril that manufacturing faces because of these cuts.  Read the article here.

Western Massachusetts Chapter of NTMA holds 6th Annual Celebration

Congrats to the Western Massachusetts chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association for holding its sixth annual celebration at Peerless Precision in Westfield, MA.  The event focused on highlighting the shortage of skilled workers in manufacturing and attracting young, talented workers to our indsutry.  A recent study showed that there are more than 600,000 manufacturing jobs that are going unfilled because of the lack of skilled workers.  The event made the local news.  See video below that includes an interview with Peerless Precision Co-Owner Debbie Maier:

Machining industry looking to hire

NTMA Member Strohwig Industries Featured in Media Story on Skilled Worker shortage

Thank you Strohwig Industries for keeping the issue of a shortage of skilled workers in the media.  Strohwigh was featured in the Wisconsin media in a story titled "State manufacturers have jobs, need workers," published on WisconsinWatch.org and reprinted in several publications.

The story features quotes by Stohwig Controller and NTMA Milwaukeee Chapter head Mike Retzer who discussed BOTS IQ Wisconsin, an innovative competition for high school kids who build and design robots in partnership with manufacturers.

The story begins: "Last year, 47 hourly workers at Strohwig Industries took home more than $100,000." 

The reporter quotes Mike:

"They’re not dirty smoke-stack industries that everybody thinks is manufacturing....And they’re not the mundane, routine jobs. They’re mentally challenging and they’re very fulfilling from the mental and from the career and earnings part.”

And here's chart that shows the recent comback of manufacturing jobs in Wisconsin

Way to go Mike and Strohwig Industries!

Congrats to Joe Kelly, Winner of the NTMA Pittsburgh Chapter Apprentice Competition

Congratulations to Joe Kelly, Apprentice Machinist at Stellar Precision Components in Jeannette, PA.  Joe won first place in the 2012 National Tooling and Machining Association Pittsburgh Chapter Apprentice Competition at New Century Careers Training Innovation Center.  Joe was featured in the Newsmaker section of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

NTMA is undertaking a number of initiatives to recruit and train the next generation of skilled manufacturing workers.  To learn more about these programs, visit our Workforce Development page on the NTMA website.

One Voice Member Ralph Hardt Testifies on Manufacturing and Tax Reform at Congressional Hearing

We are proud that our colleague Ralph Hardt, President of Jagemann Stamping Company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, was asked to represent small and medium-sized manufacturers at an important Congressional hearing on tax reform last week.  At a hearing of the House Committee on Ways and Means on “Tax Reform and the U.S. Manufacturing Sector," Ralph called on Congress to keep in mind the impact on small U.S. manufacturing businesses when undertaking tax reform, particularly concerning “S-Corps” and similarly structured companies.  Ralph is a member of NTMA and PMA.

Ralph told the Committee: “More than 70 percent of manufacturers are structured as S-Corporations or other pass-throughs paying taxes at the individual rate.  There is a lot of noise in Washington right now about only raising taxes on the ‘wealthy’ to pay for social programs and hopefully balance our federal budget. However, as a small business, we may report $250,000 or more in profit, but few manufacturers take those profits home – they are overwhelmingly reinvested in the business and our employees manufacturing in America. The less resources we have due to paying more taxes ties our hands and does not allow us to buy new million-dollar machines that need new employees to run.”

Ralph also emphasized the distinction between the perception of ‘wealthy’ taxpayers and the realities of small business owners: “What many policymakers in Washington do not understand is, unlike larger corporations, small manufacturers like us are required to provide a personal guarantee for most loans when purchasing capital equipment or expanding our facilities. I just recently signed a personal guarantee for [a] new $270,000 grinder. This means as a small business owner, I have to put my family’s home on the line, and take significant risks if I want to grow my business and compete globally.”

Changing banking terms have created additional burdens for small business owners, Ralph testified: “Banking and other lending requirements have toughened, forcing most owners to leave retained earnings in the business for the sole purpose of meeting collateral requirements. Profits left in the business are still subject to taxation even before distribution to the owner, creating a system which penalizes and taxes business owners who leave money in the business for reinvestment, resulting in reduced ability to secure loans. Therefore, increased tax liability means less money in the business,  restricting its ability to access timely and sufficient credit to purchase machines, expand facilities and hire new employees.”

Ralph called on Congress to work to speedily resolve potential changes to the tax code for the good of U.S. businesses: “How our businesses are organized and the way we pay taxes has the single greatest impact on our companies and how much we reinvest in the business … The uncertainty in the tax code and over what the future holds keeps many manufacturers from investing as much as they should or could to grow their businesses.”

Read the full version of Ralph’s testimony at http://www.metalworkingadvocate.org/pdf/Hardt-Testimony.pdf.

NTMA Members host Mitt Romney at Ohio Facilities

NTMA members are accustomed to hosting elected officials and political candidates.  NTMA members host many Members of Congress (both Democrats and Republicans) for plant tours throughout the year.  In a sign of the growing importance of manufacturing and its influence in Washington and to this election, two NTMA members recently hosted Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney at their facilities in Ohio, a battleground state.

Last week, NTMA member Ken Seilkop of Seilkop Industries hosted Gov. Romney at his plant in Carthage, OH.  Ken is a big supporter of NTMA's advocacy initiatives in Washington to urge elected officials to strengthen American manufacturing.  A snapshot of Ken introducing Gov. Romney:

Below is a video of Gov. Romney's remarks at Ken's facility, which was broadcast live on CNN:

In May, Gov. Romney visited NTMA member Bill Sopko's company, Stamco Industries, in Euclid, OH.  Bill has made a tremendous contribution to strengthening manufacturing.  He has made many trips to Washington for more than a decade to advocate on behalf of U.S. manufacturing.  Bill travelled directly from hosting Gov. Romney to Washington, DC to participate in our Legislative Conference.    

A photo of Bill greeting Mr. Romney:

And here are Gov. Romney's remarks at Stamco:



These events show the importance that candidates are giving to the issue of strengthening manufacturing in this country and NTMA's growing influence as the face of small and medium-sized manufacturing in America.  Our voices are growing stronger -- to keep manufacturing strong -- thanks to our members!

Congratulations to NTMA Member Ron Borst - Recipient of the 2012 James C. Denneny III Award

Congratulations to NTMA member Ron Borst, recipient of the 2012 James C. Denneny III Award, given by the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, MO each year to an individual who embodies  Denneny's spirit, dedication and civic pride.  Ron is Chairman  and CEO of Clay & Bailey Manufacturing, a maker of aboveground and underground  tank accessories for the petroleum industry as well as construction castings including manhole covers for municipalities.

From the EDC's Press Release:

"Ron embodies the commitment and dedication of the award's namesake, Jim  Denneny. His efforts helped us maintain and grow jobs and investment in our industrial  areas. His tireless devotion to the EDC, to Kansas City and its workers and residents has  inspired the EDC staff and the community around him. He is truly an economic hero for  Kansas City."

NTMA Members Featured in Bloomberg Story on Skilled Worker Needs

NTMA continues to take the lead on raising the issue of the problem of workforce development in manufacturing.  NTMA members Paul Bonin, President of Bertrand Products, and Kevin Ahaus, President of Ahaus Tool and Engineering , were featured yesterday in a Bloomberg Story on the inability of manufacturers to find skilled workers and declared that this issue "is holding back manufacturing, the industry that led the U.S. out of the worst recession since the 1930s."  The interview was conducted during the One Voice Legislative Conference last week.

100 Manufacturing CEO's, 175 Congressional Meetings

NTMA and PMA just finished their annual legislative conference in DC.  Approximately 100 CEOs and other leaders of small and medium sized manufacturing companies held more than 175 meetings with Members of Congress and staff over the past 36 hours.  Our priority issues discussed with these elected officials includeworkforce development, tax reform, energy costs, trade and labor issues.  It was an outstanding trip.  Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA) tweeted this photo of his meeting with NTMA and PMA manufacturers yesterday:

Thanks to all those manufacturers who travelled to DC and took the time away from running their businesses to join this important effort.  As we always say about engaging our elected officials:  "if you are not at the table, then your on the menu." 

NTMA -U Graduates to Receive College Credits at University of Akron

We are very excited to announce NTMA-U's partnership with the University of Akron:

For Immediate Release

May 2, 2012  

Contact: Caitlin Andrews, 202-828-7637

caitlin.andrews@bgllp.com

NATIONAL TOOLING AND MACHINING ASSOCIATION’S “NTMA –U” GRADUATES TO RECEIVE COLLEGE CREDITS

AT UNIVERSITY OF AKRON

Twenty-one Credits to be awarded to NTMA-U Graduates in University’s Prestigious Manufacturing and Automated Manufacturing Engineering Technology Degree program

Cleveland, OH – The National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) announced today that it has finalized an agreement with the University of Akron to grant up to 21 college credits to graduates of NTMA-U, the association’s innovative advanced manufacturing skills training program.  The new apprenticeship program, developed with a focus on key industry standards and National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) guidelines, allows NTMA-U graduates to earn college credits through the university’s Manufacturing and Automated Manufacturing Engineering Technology Degree program starting in August 2012.

The University of Akron is considered one of the foremost engineering schools in the United States.  NTMA-U is a new program that provides an online curriculum through participating institutions of higher education, and is designed to be completed over a three-year period to allow participants to continue working full time.  The program offers a number of easily accessible, lecture-style YouTube videos on topics such as Shop Theory, Practical Math and Blueprint Reading, Computer Numerical Controlled manufacturing, Statistical Processes and Controls, Geometric Tolerancing and Dimensioning, and Manufacturing Processes.

“We are very excited about the launch of this initiative, which will bring tremendous benefits both to NTMA member companies and the apprentices,” said NTMA Vice President Ken McCreight. “Through NTMA-U, students will gain firsthand knowledge of the many new technologies in manufacturing, including - Interactive CNC Emulators, almost all of ToolingU modules, well over 200 NTMA custom developed You-Tube videos, that will assist the successful apprentice in an understanding of how to apply the learned course outcomes in the highly skilled segments of our industry.  This is a great opportunity for new employees, as well as current employees at NTMA member companies who wish to enhance their skills and prepare themselves to take on future roles.”

The NTMA-affiliated apprentices will be able to access the credits at a significant discount from regular tuition rates. 

McCreight continued, “‘Apprenticeship’ is no longer a word that is looked down upon.  It is once  again a highly regarded career pathway to employment.  The 2009 Skills Gap Report stated that more than 80 percent of U.S. manufacturers report an overall shortage of qualified employees.  As an industry, we must invest in growing our own the talent base.  Unfortunately, many of our members do not have training centers in their regions. That's why NTMA-U on-line curriculum is so important.”

“Workforce development is one of our top priorities,” said NTMA President Dave Tilstone. “The Bureau of Labor Statistics has predicted that repetitive manufacturing career pathways (defined as education coursework and/or training credentials) will decline by more than 10 percent as a share of total workforce, while employment in advanced manufacturing positions has risen by 37 percent.  A number of NTMA members are in the aerospace and defense industry, which has a backlog of production extending to 2030.  These companies must maintain and expand their skilled workforce.  If manufacturing in this country is to prosper in years to come, we will need to ensure the continued availability of highly trained workers.”

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About NTMA:

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NTMA’s over 1,300 member companies design and manufacture special tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, gages, special machines and precision-machined parts.  Some firms specialize in experimental research and development work as well as rapid prototyping.  Many NTMA members are privately owned small businesses, yet the industry generates sales in excess of $40 billion a year.  NTMA’s mission is to help members of the U.S. precision custom manufacturing industry achieve business success in a global economy through advocacy, advice, networking, information, programs and services.

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ROBOTS TO INVADE INDIANAPOLIS THIS WEEKEND

Two days away from the start of NTMA's National Robotics Championship.  We are pleased that 22 teams with more than 30 robots from across the country will be battling it out -- and learning skills that are needed by our member companies!  Latest Press release here and below.

For Immediate Release                                         Contact: Caitlin Andrews

May 2, 2012                                                                         202-828-7637

                                                                                               caitlin.andrews@bgllp.com

ROBOTS TO INVADE INDIANAPOLIS THIS WEEKEND:

22 TEAMS VIE FOR

2012 NATIONAL ROBOTICS LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE

NTMA Sponsored League Helps Students

Learn Skills Needed for Careers in Manufacturing

Independence, OH: Twenty-two teams from as far away as Arizona and Florida will bring robots ready to do battle to the 2012 National Robotics League (NRL) Championships at the Circle Centre Mall in Indianapolis on May 5-6, 2012, the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA) announced today.  NTMA created the NRL, a robot combat competition, to introduce a new generation of Americans to manufacturing.

The following schools have currently qualified for the 2012 NRL Championships:

•           Bloomsburg Area High School – Bloomsburg , PA

•        Blue Ridge High School – Lakeside, AZ

•        Cambridge Springs High School – Cambridge Springs, PA

•        Centerville High School – Centerville, OH

•        Conneaut Lake High School – Conneaut Lake, PA

•        Dunwoody College of Technology – Minneapolis, MN

•        Highlands High School – Natrona Heights, PA

•        Milford High School – Milford, OH

•        Mooresville High School - Mooresville, IN

•        North St. Paul High School – Maplewood, MN

•        Plum Senior High School – Plum, PA

•        Propel Braddock Hills High School – Pittsburgh, PA

•        Prosser Career Education Center – New Albany, IN

•        Slinger High School – Slinger, WI

•        Springboro High School – Springboro, OH

•        The Pennsylvania State University-University Park – University Park, PA

•        University of South Florida – Tampa, FL

•        Upper Valley Career Center – Piqua, OH

•        West Geauga High School, Chesterland, OH

•            Winchester High School, Winchester, MA

•            Wright State University – Dayton, OH

•        Wright State University – Lake Campus – Celina, OH

Clashes begin Saturday, May 5 with preliminary rounds followed by quarterfinals, semi-finals and final rounds that will take place through Sunday, May 6.  Circle Centre Mall is located at 49 West Maryland St. in Indianapolis.

NTMA founded the NRL to help change misperceptions about manufacturing and attract a new generation of students to well-paying technical careers.  The program partners teams of middle school, high school, and post-secondary school students with local NTMA manufacturers to build robots designed to do battle.  The result is not only a destruction-driven face-off of incredible machines, but also an opportunity to develop high-tech skills and cultivate the interest of a new generation of students who will determine the future of manufacturing

Media can register for the event by contacting Caitlin Andrews at 202-828-7637 or caitlin.andrews@bgllp.com.

For additional information about the NRL, visit www.gonrl.org.  For additional information on NTMA, visit www.ntma.org.

NTMA member Roy Sweatman interviewed by Plant Engineering Magazine

The June issue of Plant Engineering magazine will feature an interview with Roy Sweatman, President of Southern Manufacturing Technologies in Tampa, FL and an NTMA member.  Roy was recently appointed to the U.S. Department of Commerce's Manufacturing Council.  The interview is posted on the publication's website.  Read it here.

Robots Are Ready to Rumble: Next Week's NTMA National Robotics Championship

More than 20 high school teams armed with 30 robots have signed up for NTMA's National Robotics League (NRL) championships scheduled to take place in Indianapolis, IN on May 4-4.  NTMA created this program to get kids interested in manufacturing.   NRL partners NTMA member companies with local schools to encourage students to develop high-tech skills and cultivate an interest in manufacturing by the next generation in our country who will determine the future of our industry.  Learn more about the competition at http://www.gonrl.org/.  Read our latest press release here.  And DEFINITELY check out the video to see true robot carnage!

NTMA Members Featured in USA Today

NTMA member and former Chairman Ron Overton, President of Overton Industries in Mooresville, Indiiana and NTMA President Dave Tilstone are featured today in a USA Today story on the challenges that manufacturers' are facing in finding skilled workers.  NTMA has been a leader on this issue, bringing this problem to the attention of policymakers and the national media.  Read thes story here.

Congratulations to NTMA Member Roy Sweatman!

NTMA congratulates long time member and former NTMA Chairman Roy Sweatman for being named to the U.S. Commerce's Department Manufacturing Council.  The Council provides advice to U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson on issues related to manufacturing sector competitiveness, as well as government policies and programs that affect the industry.

We have benefited greatly from Roy's leadership and commitment to strengthening manufacturing in America and are pleased that our country's leaders will have benefit from Roy's knowledge and ideas.  Roy's presence on the Council helps ensure that small and medium-sized manufacturers have a voice in the design of national manufacturing policies.  Read the Commerce Department's press release on the Council's new members here.  NTMA's press release on Roy can be found here.  Congratulations Roy!

NTMA Member Keeps Skilled Workforce Issue in the News

Congratulations to NTMA member Dieter Weissenriider of Weiss-Aug, Inc in East Hanover, NJ for his recent letter to the editor published in the Daily Record.  Dieter writes that the skills shortage needs to be addressed by the industry refocusing on apprenticeships, the government supporting apprenticeships through tax breaks and/or grants, academic institutions providing students with appropriate math, science and other tools needed for manufacturing jobs and companies and government helping students with tuition-free opportunites to pursue engineering degrees.  Read Dieter's letter here.

Congress Takes Note of NTMA's Reshoring Efforts

It's good to see Congress take notice of "reshoring" - U.S. manufacturers bringing work back the United States from overseas.  NTMA has been talking about this issue for more than two years when we started to see previously off-shored work start coming back to the U.S. and to our members.  In fact, our Purchasing Fairs have promoted reshoring, providing a forum for hundreds of companies to connect with highly competitive and skilled domestic small to medium sized manufacturers.  Earlier this week, the House of Representatives' Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies held a hearing on "American Manufacturing and Job Repatriation" focused on reshoring.  The head of the NTMA-sponsored reshoring initiative, Harry Moser, testified at the hearing.  Read his testimony here.   The next Purchasing Fair will take place on June 13-14 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, MI in conjunction with Amerimold Expo 2012.   

NTMA Members Featured in the Boston Globe

Congrats to NTMA members Tell Tool, O-D Tool & Cutter, The Custom Group and Boston Centerless for being featured in the Boston Globe on the shortage of skilled manufacturing workers.  Read it here.

Transforming for Competiveness

Welcome to the NTMA Chairman’s blog.  My goal for this blog is to keep members informed about NTMA programs and priorities.

For my introductory blogpost, I want to focus on the goals and priorities that I have established for my term as Chairman.

First a little bit about me.  I’m a second generation NTMA Member. My Dad; Don Atkins, started his business in 1963 and joined NTMA in 1967 and served numerous positions both locally and nationally in NTMA. Thanks to my Dad, I joined NTMA in 1979 and have been active in NTMA for 29 of my 33 year working career with three different NTMA companies

I am currently Vice President of Sales & Marketing of MIC Group headquartered in Brenham, Texas. We have four domestic and two international locations doing precision machining and mechanical/electrical assembly primarily serving the Oil & Gas Industry.

I want to acknowledge my predecessor as Chairman, Grady Cope, whose tireless efforts as Chairman has brought NTMA to national prominence and solidified our organization as a leading voice for manufacturers in this country.  I plan to build in Grady’s legacy by ensuring that critical challenges faced by our members, including a shrinking skilled workforce, tax reform and rising energy costs among other issues, receive the attention they deserve from elected officials in Washington and around the country.

If Grady’s theme of Manufacturing to America becomes reality as we believe it is, we as the manufacturing backbone of our nation must be prepared.  We are in an election year and we just heard our President use the word “manufacturing” 16 times in his State of the Union address.  We must be ready.  We must be “transforming” our companies and chapters to stay relevant on the current world stage.  Regardless of perception, America remains as the leading manufacturing nation in the world, with 9% of the American workforce (about 12 million) people employed directly in manufacturing today verses 25% in 1970.

Despite the fact that the US has remained the leading manufacturing nation because our workers are so much more productive, our business’s growth is hampered by the inability to fill open positions.  Our challenge to address an aging workforce is to change the perception of manufacturing employment starting with students.  Too many of our high school students who may not be a fit for four-year college degree are pushed towards colleges and universities when they should be directed towards apprentice and training programs in manufacturing.  We see the National Robotics League and our new NTMA-U on-line training as addressing these pressing needs.

My Theme for 2012 is “Transforming for Competiveness”….your Company, your Chapter, your Industry."  Being competitive means WINNING.  Our businesses can win if we will commit to:

•     Technology

•         Innovation

•     Productivity

•     Efficiency

•     Optimization

•     Continuous improvement

•     Processes and Procedures

•     Lean/Kaizan

•     Flexibility

We are an industry that must be willing to partner and engage our suppliers of equipment, tooling, materials to work with us to achieve the performance demands placed on us by our customers. This is what the MFG Meeting in Orlando was all about, to introduce the metal working industry to each other for the sole purpose of all our success. This collaboration is what will keep American manufacturing number one in the world and our companies competitive.

For our Chapters, we must work together and rally around Training, Advocacy, Technology, and Manufacturing as a future.  We must collaborate with other associations and associate members have a critical mass and speak with one voice.

For our industry, we will transform ourselves or be transformed by others or our customers. Competitiveness is our transformation.  Transformation is our door to increased revenue and profits.  The manufacturing worlds, and the manufacturing world’s customers, have moved on. The question is can our companies move along with them?  I challenge our industry to ACT.  We must unite and rally together for the good of American Manufacturing.

NTMA is that rallying point.

Get involved in your Chapters, and get others in your companies involved in our Chapters, and work together for the good of all… Keep a close eye on, and constantly analyze the transforming industries we serve.  Be an early adopter of change.

As my Dad would say, he learned more about running a business from his involvement in NTMA and solved more shop challenges from information and ideas from his fellow NTMA members.  We both give NTMA credit for much of the success that our families have enjoyed in this industry and would say, our reason for being an NTMA Member was not for NTMA’s success, but it was for our success.

I look forward to working with all of you.