Hello CMMA members and friends,

New Year, new energy, same great group!

CMMA has come far and done well since our very first meeting on January 24, 2008. We’ve grown, we’ve accomplished many things together and there’s still much important work to do to continue to elevate and celebrate manufacturing in central Minnesota! The number of members has surpassed 235 and is steadily growing.

Our CMMA Board of Directors recently completed its annual planning session which yielded clear direction and action steps to take to continue our mission. Our goals focus upon five key areas ... Read more.

CMMA January 2024 Meeting

The economic outlook for 2024 was the focus of the January 25 CMMA meeting in Rogers, MN.

King Banaian, interim Dean of the College of Education and Learning Design, St. Cloud State University, reviewed how so many economists got 2023 wrong in their predictions of a recession and what that means for manufacturing in Minnesota in 2024. Read more.

CMMA Board of Directors election results

CMMA ballots were issued in December. We are pleased to welcome Doug Cook (Headwaters Strategic Succession Consulting) to his first term on the CMMA Board of Directors.

The 2024 CMMA Board of Directors includes:

Les Engel, Engel Metallurgical, President

Lance Louis, Louis Industries, Vice President

Tim Zipoy, CMJTS, Secretary

Steve Leen, Creative Planning, Treasurer

Lance Barthel, Batteries Plus Bulbs

Angie Brick, Independent

Doug Cook, Headwaters Strategic Succession Consulting

Bruce Hagberg, riteSOFT

Jason Iverson, Falcon National Bank

Dean Kiffmeyer, Central McGowan

Della Ludwig, DEED

Randy Pelletier, Pelco Machine

Jared Powell, Quanex Custom Components

Mark Stafford, Coldspring

Patrick Walsh, Belgrade Brooten Elrosa Schools.

Member of the year nominations by March 1

Each year, CMMA recognizes members that have distinguished themselves by making outstanding contributions to manufacturing in Central Minnesota. The Member-of-the-Year awards celebrate CMMA’s primary purpose of contributing to the growth and success of manufacturers.

Help us identify members that went above and beyond in 2023! Submit your nominations for MANUFACTURER of the Year and COLLABORATOR of the Year.  Read more.

2024 MMA Membership Directory

A new and improved MMA membership directory will be coming out in late March. The entire directory will be in full color.

We need your data updates by February 19, 2024. To update your information log into the Member Information Center at https://members.midwestmanufacturers.com/login.

Add a logo to your listing with an enhanced listing.

Contact the office if you'd like additional copies.

2024 Sponsorship packages

As the central office serving CMMA, our job is to help your business succeed. 2024 sponsorship packages are now available. You can reach your prospects, customers and fellow members. Save 10% until March 1, 2024. 

Learn more.

CMMA Prepaid Meeting Tickets Available

You can purchase (10) prepaid CMMA meeting tickets for $200 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 meetins; 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 entries has grown to 198. 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.

2023 CMMA annual report

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

White list MMA staff

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

Becky@MidwestManufacturers.com

Bookkeeping@MidwestManufacturers.com

Rachel@MidwestManufacturers.com

Kathy Crispo, Principal

312 7th Ave. N. • St. Cloud, MN. 56303

(320) 251-3421

https://cathedralcrusaders.org/

Catholic middle and high school

Rob Stark

1 First Avenue S • Buffalo, MN 55313

(763) 682-6175

EdwardJones.com

Working with business leaders looking ahead to exiting

Andy Christensen

10908 171st Ave NW #C • Elk River, MN 55330

(763) 200-1547

General contractor, commercial construction

Jeff Rivers

4017 Donnelly Dr. NW • Maple Lake, MN 55358

(612) 718-0924

http://www.longviewbusinesspartners.com

Strategic planning and business consulting firm

Dan Butler

135 1st Street North • Winsted, MN 55395

(612) 404-2548

http://www.mnstructures.com

Design and structural steel fabrication

Linda Vokaty

411 West Congress St. • Maple Lake, MN 55358

(320) 963-2531

http://www.rhinomade.com

Plastics manufacturing

10 Years

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 Rachel@MidwestManufacturers.com.