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:

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!

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!

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!