The Bi-Weekly Newsletter of the Council of Industry
April 8, 2021
|
|
Manufacturing Industry News |
|
Access: Business Solutions
A Leader in Hearing Protection Products and
Disability Employment
|
|
Access: Business Solutions (A:BS) is a hearing protection product manufacturer and a Council of Industry member. It is a division of Access: Supports for Living, which provides social services, mental health care, drug counseling, and more, for people with various disabilities. For over 20 years, A:BS has offered product solutions--mostly for the Department of Defense--as well as small and large businesses, with an ultimate goal of bringing in revenue to support these social programs. The company manufactures safety products like electronic earplugs and headsets, eyewear, hardhats, among others.
The company co-brands with 3M and is required to meet 3M’s quality standards in production, ensuring solutions are up to date with the highest standards. Some of the company’s most innovative solutions are the 3M Peltor™ hearing protection items. The technology includes filters that suppress high frequency noises, such as loud bangs or hammering. Voices, which are low frequency, can still be heard through the headphones. The microphones compress sound to allow for clear audio. These headsets allow for clear communication within a mile range, ideal for large construction sites or production spaces.
With changes in the future of manufacturing workplaces becoming reality, Erich Fulmer, Project Manager and Business Development at A:BS, says the company’s products can help make adapting much simpler. “If there needs to be some kind of separation at work, these products allow for communication while maintaining hearing protection,” he says. “We’re very competitive price-wise and produce high quality products. We are ISO 9001:2015 registered.”
A:BS is a part of AbilityOne, a federal program designed to help people with disabilities locate employment. Because Access: Supports for Living was started by families who wanted to have resources for family members with disabilities, it remains a company goal to provide employment for those with disabilities. Fulmer says the organization’s mission is simple: help people. “We want to help and support local businesses. Being able to support other manufacturers and members of the Council of Industry is very important to us,” he says.
To learn more about Access: Business Solutions, click here.
|
|
|
|
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
Registration fees waived for companies that add the Industrial Manufacturing Trade (IMT) by April 16th.
|
|
For information on advertising in this and other CI publications
|
|
The Economist: US Manufacturers Are Benefiting from the Greatest Convergence of Pro-Industry Forces in Decades |
|
Having lagged behind the S&P 500 index of large listed companies over the past five years, American industrial groups have outperformed the benchmark so far this year. Money is pouring into those that make things subject to the laws of gravity, leading in dices of American purchasing managers, which survey private-sector firms regularly,are surging. On March 24th, IHS Markit, a research firm, released one confirming that goods producers saw the fastest growth in new orders in over six year. S&P Global, a credit-rating agency, predicts that after an abysmal year in which revenues fell by 8-10%, America’s capital-goods sector will see sales rise by 5% in 2021. America’s factory output was perhaps inevitably due for a sharp rebound. Vaccines are boosting consumer confidence and raising hopes that the economy may reopen fully soon. The $1.9 trn stimulus package, coming on top of record levels of household savings, will leave Americans with more money to splurge on cars, electronics and other goods.The more surprising factor that could power an industrial revival involves those tight supply chains. Companies facing delays to deliveries caused by bad weather in Texas,strained port capacity in California, stranded container ships in the Middle East or geopolitical tensions with China are thinking more seriously about building networks that can withstand such shocks. In the short term this involves stockpiling whatever components companies can get. In the longer run they are looking to bring production closer to home, which would bolster American suppliers.
|
|
What the Legalization of Recreational Marijuana Means for New York Employers–From Council of Industry Associate Member Bond Schoeneck and King
|
|
On March 31, 2021, New York passed legislation legalizing the recreational use of marijuana for individuals over the age of 21. The Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (the Act) legalizes the licensed cultivation and distribution, as well as the use and possession, of recreational marijuana in New York State.
The Act creates an expansive recreational marijuana program; establishes the cannabis control board and office of cannabis management, which is tasked with regulating medical and recreational use of marijuana and hemp extracts; and makes several statutory amendments, including changes to the tax law and penal law, among others. The Act also amends provisions of the Labor Law. Specifically, the Act amends Labor Law Section 201-d, which protects employees’ right to engage in certain recreational activities outside of work.
|
|
Best Practices for Virtual Inventory Counts–From Council of Industry Associate Member Teal, Becker & Chiaramonte
|
|
For most companies with inventory on their balance sheet, the existence of that inventory is going to be a relevant assertion for auditing purposes. Historically, auditors have been able to obtain evidence of the existence of this inventory by physically going to the company’s location and observing the company’s inventory count.
Unfortunately, with COVID-19 restrictions in place during the past year have made it increasingly difficult for third parties to be physically present for a company’s inventory count, whether it be because of the company restricting gatherings or due to various travel restrictions. However, these restrictions do not excuse the auditor from the requirement to get comfortable with the existence of inventory.
What is the solution? Virtual inventory observations.
|
|
Training Displaced Workers for Jobs in Manufacturing |
|
The City of Fremont, California, saw an opportunity to remedy a difficult problem. In the San Francisco Bay area, 20,900 jobs were lost due to the impact of COVID-19. At the same time, companies were ramping up to produce products to fight the pandemic. Manufacturing companies such as Evolve Manufacturing Technologies, Inc, began producing rapid COVID-19 test kits, ventilators, and COVID-19 treatment equipment last spring needed help. The company had hired 100 people but needed more. So the City of Fremont Economic Development Department came up with a solution to begin to address the issue of finding jobs for those displaced by the pandemic.
On March 5, it launched the Earn and Learn Fremont (ELF) Pilot Program to help those without jobs--especially people of color and low-income groups--to jumpstart a new career in advanced manufacturing.
|
|
A Look at Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh |
|
Seems like everyone is happy with Marty Walsh as new Secretary of Labor--well almost.
Walsh is the first union member to fill this role in nearly 50 years. He led Boston’s Building and Construction Trades Council for two years before winning the 2013 race for mayor and has also served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
|
|
The Role of Technology in a Post-Pandemic World |
|
Workplaces in all sectors, from health care to manufacturing, have had to adapt rapidly to new health and safety guidelines to keep employees safe. For some workplaces, that means regular COVID-19 testing where available and rearranged processes to maintain social distancing. For others, it’s meant forging new ways of working altogether, such as embracing online meetings and virtual communications. Let’s take a closer look at the year that was as we begin to imagine the future of health and safety.
|
|
Manufacturing Firms Learn Cybersecurity the Hard Way |
|
Manufacturing firms have become a top target of cybercriminals, extortionists, and nation-state groups, with 61% of companies experiencing a cybersecurity incident affecting their factories and three-quarters of those incidents taking production offline, according to a report published by cybersecurity firm Trend Micro on Monday. The survey revealed that the average manufacturing firm has experienced a cyber incident, and 75% of those companies had suffered a production outage as a result. In 43% of the outage cases—about 20% of all manufacturing firms—had production stopped for more than four days after a cyberattack.
|
|
EEOC Sets July Deadline for EEO-1 |
|
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has announced that qualifying employers must submit EEO-1 Component 1 data for 2019 and 2020 starting on April 26 with a deadline of July 19.The EEO-1, Component 1 form collects workforce data from employers with 100 or more employees and federal contractors with 50 or more employees.
These employers are expected to submit demographic information about the race, gender and the ethnicity of members of their workforce, broken down by job category. The EEOC has already begun formally notifying EEO-1 filers via email concerning the new collection dates. “Filers should begin preparing to submit data in anticipation of the April 26 opening of the data collection period,” the commission stressed.
|
|
What's Happening in Your Association |
|
Please Note: Council of Industry Address Change |
|
The Council of Industry office is located at 263 Route 17K, Suite 106, Newburgh, NY 12550. Please ensure all mail is addressed to this location. |
|
COVID-19 Employment Litigation Trends |
|
When: Friday, April, 9, 2021, 01:00pm - 02:30pm
Where: Zoom Webinar
Cost: Free for Members
It should come as no surprise that the states seeing the most action when it comes to COVID-19-related workplace litigation are the same states that typically see the most employment-related lawsuits.
California has seen the highest number of claims filed, followed by New Jersey, Florida, and New York. However, states not normally associated with high numbers of workplace litigation – such as Ohio, Texas, and Pennsylvania – also have faced many claims. Moreover, once adjusted for local population, we also learn that employers in Kentucky, Michigan, and Oregon are also facing numerous such claims.
Join us April 9th at 1:00 p.m. as Council of Industry Associate Member Ethan Allen Workforce Solutions Provides an Overview Of COVID-19 Claims Against Manufacturers.
|
|
When: April 15, 2021 8:00 am-12 pm
Where: Zoom Webinar
Cost: $350 (MACNY Member) $550 (Nonmembers)
Instructor: Tara McInerney, Quality and Environmental Management
Topics covered:
ISO 9001
ISO/TS 16949
First-Party Audits (Internal Audits)
“Us on Us”
Second-Party Audits (Supplier Audits)
“Us on Them”
Third-Party Audits (ISO Registration Audits/Customer Audits)
“Them on Us”
|
|
Trade Show Opportunities For Manufacturers Through GlobalNY
Empire State Development’s Global NY Division works in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to increase both the number of small businesses exporting and value of exports for those currently exporting through the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP). The events below are eligible for STEP funding.
For more information on the program contact us at globalny@esd.ny.gov.
Hannover Messe All-Digital Trade Show
April 12-16, 2021
Registration Deadline: March 31, 2021
|
|
Multi-Sector Virtual Trade Mission to Mexico
June 21–July 2, 2021
Registration Deadline: April 23, 2021
Hosted by Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors' & Premiers' (GSGP)
|
|
Your Company’s Managers Are Exposing You to Employment Lawsuits |
|
When: Friday, April, 30, 2021, 01:00pm - 02:30pm
Where: Interactive Zoom Meeting
Cost: Free for Members
Many costly employment law and human resources issues are caused by a company’s managers. This includes them both being a part of the problem and/or by not being a necessary part of the solution. While managers are often very skilled in the business/production part they are managing, the majority are not trained at all with how to properly communicate with employees and HR on Human Resources issues. They also often fail to understand their complicated specific role in dealing with diverse employee issues such as discrimination, leave, reasonable accommodation and discriminatory harassment. Unfortunately, if not properly addressed, these, and other related issues can lead to costly employment lawsuits.
Seasoned employment attorney, Joel Greenwald, facilitates a brand new and hugely interactive presentation designed to stick in the minds of attendees. The presentation includes interactive and collaborative peer-to-peer breakout rooms, trained Broadway actors doing vignettes of real work scenarios, and other fun ways of approaching this tough, but necessary, topic to protect businesses.
About the Speaker: Joel Greenwald is the Managing Partner of Greenwald Doherty LLP, a management-side employment law firm. While he fiercely defends his clients from claims and aggressively pursues claims on their behalf, Joel believes in helping employers avoid litigation from the start.
|
|
The Manufacturing Matters Podcast |
|
Manufacturing Matters Podcast: Chris Shaw
Relationship Banker, JP Morgan Chase
|
|
|
In this episode, Council of Industry Vice President Johnnieanne Hansen speaks with Christopher Shaw, a relationship banker for Hudson Valley-based middle market companies.
They also discuss how JP Morgan Chase is working to help industrial customers solve some of their biggest non-financial challenges – finding skilled labor. We also discuss how Chris, and Chase, are committed to helping America’s military veterans find careers in manufacturing and other sectors.
|
|
|
Be a Guest on the Podcast! |
|
The Council of Industry extends thanks to all Manufacturing Matters guests and listeners for their support. With more than 40 episodes released, we've documented countless conversations with local manufacturers.
In 2021, we're looking to introduce new faces to the podcast. If you or someone you know is involved in the Hudson Valley manufacturing sector and would like to be a guest on Manufacturing Matters, please contact Johnnieanne Hansen at jhansen@councilofindustry.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
