Fall 2024

Letter from Les

Greetings from my desk to yours as we welcome seasonal change here in Central Minnesota.


It’s said that change can be a good thing and that certainly holds true here. We’re long committed to being brokers of connectivity and change! You can see the positive evidence we’ve induced in our activities, tools, and outcomes.


On the topic of change, I’m happy to report our annual Tour of Manufacturing yielded positive outcomes and pushed further to open the doors to new understanding and appreciation for the work we do. We’ve again cast a bright light on the fact that long gone is dark, dirty, and dangerous and here to stay is technology, automation, and innovation. Our event showcased jobs that are safe, clean, and rewarding with many points of entry and advancement... Read more.

Events

CMMA New member orientation

November 19 • 2:00 pm

Online


Join us for an overview of what your membership entails, meet the association staff, learn, ask questions, and get acquainted with other newbies! This event is open to all current members; all employees welcome. If you've been a member for awhile and would like a refresher - join us!

Register.

CMMA CTE Jamboree

November 21 • 7:15 am

Sartell


CTE teachers, counselors, principals, superintendents, school board members, and manufacturers are invited to this event featuring a lineup of speakers that are active in CTE in Minnesota. All K12 school reps attend for FREE; registration is required. 


Register.

CMMA Holiday Social

December 10 • 11:00 am

Sartell

Invite your spouse, a date, or a colleague to join you for the 2024 CMMA Holiday Social. The holiday social will again feature an “open house” format with heavy appetizers served from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. 

Register.

CMMA Breakfast Meeting

January 23 • 7:15 am

Kimball High Schools


Topic: Economic outlook for 2025

Speaker: King Banaian, College of Edudcation and Learning Design, St. Cloud State University


Tour: Kimball High School CTE programs

2nd tour: TBA


Mark your calendar and watch for email with registraion link.

MMA YouTube Channel


Watch over 120 educational webinars and past meetings.

Past events

CMMA news & happenings

We have a wrap on Manufacturing Month 2024!


We had 21 organizations and 11 sponsors participate in Central Minnesota’s virtual magazine, which highlights in-person and virtual tours offered during the month of October and throughout the year. The magazine received 44,000 pageviews by 3,562 visitors.


All funds raised by the ... Read more.

Summer social

We had a great time at Bad Habit Brewing Company on August 21 for the annual CMMA Summer Social. Over 70 members joined us to toast summer!

September meeting

We had an informative Legislative Panel and tour at DeZURIK on September 26! Shout out to the legislators/candidates in attendance!


High-quality products and a team of experts make DeZURIK a global leader in manufacturing valves for water treatmentsewage treatmentwater distributionpulp and paperoil and gas downstream and petrochemicalminingpowerhydropower dams, and other process industries.

October meeting

We had a great meeting at Felling Trailers, Inc. in Sauk Centre on October 24!


Felling Trailers is a family-owned and operated full line trailer manufacturer, providing innovative trailer solutions to the transportation industry for 50-years. Felling Trailers, Inc. has grown from a small shop to a factory and office complex that today covers over 349,000 square feet. Felling Trailers currently manufactures over 5,500 trailers a year, ranging from a 3,000 lb. utility trailer to a 120,000 lb. hydraulic gooseneck trailer, and its standard trailer line includes over 240 models.

Welcome Lynda Bailey, New Executive Director


MMA is pleased to introduce Lynda E. Bailey as the new Executive Director. Lynda joins us following her tenure as Executive Director of the Riverside Medical Clinic Charitable Foundation in Riverside, California. With over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, she also brings extensive expertise in marketing, honed through her role as the owner of Bailey Communications, Inc. Lynda holds a degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing from Purdue University.

 

Recently relocating to be nearer to family, Lynda now resides in Nashwauk, Minnesota, with her husband and Reyna, their Bernese Mountain Dog, and their new puppy Lily.

 

Lynda’s first day was September 3, 2024.

CMMA Prepaid Meeting Tickets Available

You can purchase (10) prepaid CMMA meeting tickets for $250 through our eCommerce store. The tickets can be used for attendance at CMMA meetings, with no expiration date. Use the tickets however you wish; i.e. one person can attend ten meetings; ten people can attend one meeting, etc. Purchase here.

The K12Navigator update

After the expansion of the K12Navigator with collaborator Otter Tail County the number of employers has grown to 194 and the number of schools is 48. The K12 Navigator is an online directory that allows employers of all industries and sizes to engage with schools and students interested in exploring careers within career fields that they offer. The tool allows students to connect with employers that are willing to provide classroom speakers, company tours, job shadowing, apprenticeship programs, student mentors, and more. Register your business on the Navigator today.

Youth Apprenticeship Toolkit launched to help manufacturers
If you're interested in starting a Youth Skills Training or Youth Apprenticeship program, you now have access to step-by-step instructions, costs, forms, and other resources here. Help spread the word.

2023 CMMA annual report

Check out the CMMA 2023 activities and accomplishments in this annual publication.

2024 Printed membership directory


The 2024 directory was published and mailed to all members in April. Contact the office for free copies.

We have partnered with Minnesota Manufactured and MPMA to host a Minnesota Manufactured Night at the Minnesota Wild hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers on December 12 .  Get your tickets now.

CMMA mailing address


1210 Broadway St #240 PMB154, Alexandria, MN 56308

White list MMA staff

Please white list or add our emails to your contact list:

Becky@MidwestManufacturers.com

Carolyn@MidwestManufacturers.com

Lynda@MidwestManufacturers.com

Sandy@MidwestManufacturers.com

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Welcome new members

Candice Kantor 

136 Broadway Ave N. • Foley, MN 56329

(320) 968-7080

AmaxManufacturing.com

Plastic injection molding and 3D printing

Jesse Lutgen

32235 Narnia Lane • Avon, MN 56310

(320) 266-0646

CalhounCompanies.com

Matchmaker for business buyers and sellers

Steven Dimitroff

10900 Wayzata Blvd Ste 280 • Minnetonka, MN

(224) 554-0860

bwdesigngroup.com

Engineering, consulting, and technical services


Tom Kerber

10566 188th Ave NW • Elk River, MN 55330

(612) 743-2689

http://tomkerber.focalpointcoaching.com

Executive and business coach

Eric Fodstad

61273 State Hwy 55 • Eden Valley, MN 55329

(320) 221-6031

FodstadManufacturing.com

3 axis milling services with CMM and surface finish inspections

Tim Fisher            

9300 Hennepin Town Rd #100 • Eden Prairie, MN

(763) 251-8992

http://gavnat.com

Public insurance adjusting firm specializing in commercial building property damage claims

Michael Hesse

1030 Evergreen Ct • Eden Valley, MN 55329

(320) 453-2469

http://hessemachine.com

CNC Machining and design shop

Brandon McCollough

8500 Normandale Lake Blvd #300 • Minneapolis, MN 55437

(952) 960-5329

https://www.insperity.com/

Scalable HR solutions

Dave Faust 

1912 Plainview Drive • St Cloud, MN 56303-0321

(320) 251-6112

http://www.stonehouseresources.net

Leadership and employee development company

Saundra Lauer

1103 Broadway St • Alexandria, MN 56308

(320) 314-3828

WellandComn.com

Primary and urgent healthcare

Jill Buntje

39204 Co Rd 186 • Sauk Centre, MN 56378

(320) 351-3127

http://wintersrec.com

Customized golf carts and utility vehicles

Jeff Yapuncich

1045 23rd Ave N. • St. Cloud, MN 56303

(320) 529-8779

http://www.yuppyphoto.com

Manufacturing, industrial and commercial photography and videography production

Member Anniversaries - Thank You
15 Years

10 Years

CMMA Foundation
Donations are welcome and encouraged

Foundation donations in 2023 totaled $14,000. The grand total of CMMA's community impact since 2008 is $190,000.


K12 schools can apply for CMMA grants and scholarships here


Funds support youth manufacturing programs. Donations are eligible as a 501(c )3 charitable contribution. Donate online at Community Giving, or send to 101 7th Ave. S. #100, St. Cloud, MN 56301 with CMMA Fund in the memo line.

Lower your operating costs through CMMA Membership

Responding to your needs, we have carefully selected three vendors — vetted by our board and endorsed by fellow members— to provide a cost savings to your operation, including...

Interested in adding dental and vision to your employee benefits? Dental health has a profound impact on overall health. Vision care is important to prevent visual impairment. We offer a range of plan designs. Learn more.


Contact us to learn more: 800-654-5773 or Lynda@MidwestManufacturers.com.. 

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