COMING UP! Candidate Chat with Johnathan Newman (9/18), Operations Meet Up (9/19), and MFG Day (10/4)! Be sure to scroll down to the Events section to find out more.

Manufacturers: Watch for the 2-question Top Issues Survey coming in early October. Please participate to tell us your “hot button” issues.

Bourbon lovers: We are accepting bottle donations! Donate a bottle of your favorite bourbon for our raffle fundraiser at the annual Business & Bourbon event benefiting the DRMA Foundation and DRMA’s workforce initiatives. Contact Amy if you’d like to donate!

Couldn’t make it to the Economic Update event? See photos here. The recording of the presentation is available for purchase. $85 members, $110 non-members. Click here to purchase.

Are you responsible for your company’s manufacturing operation(s)? Attend our next Operations Meet Up to ask questions, get advice, and share experiences with fellow members on 9/19 at Staco Energy. More information here.

Don’t miss these upcoming workshops, exclusively for DRMA member companies.

• Supervisory Excellence – Designed to unlock your employees’ leadership potential with practical insights that are vital for excelling in a supervisory role. Presented by Brixey & Meyer. $1,500 for 6 half-day sessions + accountability and coaching sessions. Contact Shay to register.
• GD&T – Learn to read and interpret engineering drawings. Presented by the Workforce Division of Sinclair College. $195 for 2 sessions. Contact Shay to register.
• Blueprint Reading – Learn how to read and interpret basic blueprints. Presented by the Workforce Division of Sinclair College. $140 for one 4-hour session. Contact Shay to register.

LAST CHANCE! Supplier members: Purchase an ad in the Wage and Benefit Survey Report! Year-long shelf life, distributed to 100+ manufacturers, schools, and economic development leaders throughout the Dayton Region. Contact Shay.

Already preparing your 2025 budget? Don’t forget to include membership in your local industry association! You can look forward to DRMA upholding our mission to strengthen member companies and to serve as the advocate for manufacturing in the Dayton Region.

Manufacturers: Are you looking for entry-level manufacturing workers? We have a program called WorkAdvance where we recruit, screen, and train job seekers for these positions. WE HAVE COMPLETERS READY FOR HIRE. Contact Amy today!

DRMA is partnering with the Federal Reserve to give members the opportunity to participate in the 2024 Small Business Credit Survey, which is now open for your responses. Owners and key financial decisionmakers of for-profit businesses can share recent experiences about whether and how you use debt, financial conditions you face, and more. Answers to these questions contribute to data that directly inform the Fed, federal government agencies, service providers, policymakers, and others – which ultimately benefits your business and others in our region. We hope you will share your experiences. Take the 12-minute survey now.

Now is the time to join DRMA’s workers comp group! Joining a group rating program is the best way for DRMA members to significantly lower their Ohio workers’ compensation premiums. Please contact Paul Feck to see how our exclusive and endorsed partner, Sedgwick, can save you money.

Want to increase your brand exposure and support the DRMA? Get your name in front of attendees by sponsoring one of our upcoming events! Contact Amy for more details.

• Business and Bourbon – Join 100+ attendees who love bourbon at this classy networking event on 10/10 at Moraine Country Club.
• Trap Shoot – Come out to participate in this fun event on 10/17 with over 100+ attendees. Some sponsorships include shooters.
• Annual Meeting – One of our most essential events of the year, Annual Meeting on 12/5 at The Steam Plant with 100+ attendees.

Sponsored Content 

As leaders in the manufacturing industry, it is as important now as ever to understand the top risks associated with our highly connected world and understand the ways to mitigate those risks. Click here to learn from Stolly Insurance Group the top 3 risks and best defenses to manage them.

Selling a manufacturing business is a significant decision that requires careful planning and consideration. Learn from Sunbelt Business Advisors the right preparation and guidance on selling your manufacturing business and how it can be a rewarding process. Click here to read more.

Member exclusive! WorkAdvance, a proven initiative to supplement your recruitment strategies, will bring you quality candidates to fill your entry-level positions. Learn more here. 

Join us Workforce/HR Meet Up on 9/24, 11 – 12 p.m., virtual! For anyone responsible for or interested in human resources or skilling up your manufacturing workforce. At this meet up we will discuss various topics including an overview of OMA’s Auto & Advanced Mobility project and Sinclair’s Amplify Automation and Industrial Maintenance Grant. We’ll continue our discussion on the complications arising from the legalization from marijuana. And hear first-hand from our attorney, Shawna Sorrell, on the recent ruling regarding non-compete agreements. Free and for members only! Register here.

National MFG Day (10/4) is fast approaching. Host your student tour on MFG Day or any day that works for you! Members get special help. Learn more here.

We have a ton of career events coming up that need volunteers! These events are mission-critical for your company to grow YOUR future workforce. They are also a lot of fun! DRMA staff does all the hard work; your job is to talk one-on-one with students when they come up to our display table. We’ll be at Kettering Middle School (10/15), Van Buren Middle School (Kettering- 10/22) and Fairmont High School (Kettering- 10/9) – contact Kara to sign up.

We rely on our volunteers to keep our career events running! Click here to see who helped us out recently!

Want $$ to offset your training cost? Get funding from Ohio with TechCred, a workforce program that reimburses employers for employee training up to $2,000 per industry-recognized credential, and up to $30,000 total per application round! The application period is OPEN and will close on 9/30! Don’t miss out! Contact Amy with questions or see more details here.  



Taking advantage of work-based learning programs such as offering job shadow or internship opportunities to students exposes them to great careers the region’s manufacturing industry offers AND is a powerful strategy to build your future workforce. Learn more here. 

Have you heard about IMAP? The Individual Microcredential Assistance Program (IMAP) enables your workers to gain new skills and credentials at no cost to you. The program covers tuition, fees, and other costs, ensuring your employees can enhance their skills. To learn more, click here. 

Join in on OMA’s Untapped Talent Training Series: These FREE virtual training series spotlight best practices in hiring and retaining those who are part of under-represented groups in manufacturing, including women, people of color, veterans, and justice-impacted individuals. 

• 9/26, 10 - 11 a.m., Recruiting & Retaining People of Color. Register here.
• 10/1, 10 - 11 a.m., Managing Veterans. Register here.
• 10/8, 10 - 11 a.m., Integration of Fair Chance. Register here.

Have employees you need to skill up? Take advantage of Miami Valley CTC’s Machine Shop 12-week class that starts 10/1. Details: Amy Wittmann.

Hiring tech talent? DRMA members are invited to a Digital Mixer, hosted by our partner, Technology First, on 9/24 at WSU to network with 200+ tech students. Click here to learn more.

Supplement your recruiting strategy by attending the following career fairs:

• Fall Career Fair at Cedarville University, Cedarville, 10/9. Email Cam to register.
• College and Career Fair at Stebbins High School, Dayton, 11/12. Email Jeff to register.

Your Government Relations Committee is holding a series of virtual Candidate Chats leading up to the November election, giving you the opportunity to talk with candidates in a small, focused setting. On the schedule are Johnathan Newman, running for Ohio House District 80 (9/18); Andrea White, running for re-election to Ohio House District 36 (9/25); Amy Cox running for U.S. House District 10 (10/2); Laura Marie Davis running for Ohio House District 55 (10/9); and Kyle Koehler running for Ohio Senate District 10 (10/23). Click on each name for more info and to register. Free and for members only!

10/10, 4 - 6:30 p.m., Business and Bourbon, Moraine Country Club, Kettering. Presented by Lincoln Electric. This classy networking event benefits the DRMA Foundation. Limited seats available; Register here.

10/17, 1:30 - 4 p.m., Trap Shoot; 4 – 5:30 p.m., Happy Hour, Wright-Patt Rod and Gun Club, Fairborn. Presented by Bruns General Contracting and Back to Business I.T. Have fun with your DRMA peers! Fill out your registration form ASAP to reserve your spot! Sponsorships are available, contact Amy! Not a trap shooter but want to attend happy hour? Register here.

11/7, 4 – 6 p.m., Shoptalk: Voice of the American Workforce, AIDA, Dayton. Hear a short presentation from ResourceMFG about the results from their Voice of the American Workforce survey, followed by peer-to-peer networking and drinks at this impressive manufacturing facility! Register here.

12/5, 4:30 – 7 p.m., – Annual Meeting, The Steam Plant, Dayton. Join us for our most essential meeting of the year. The short program will cover 2024 accomplishments, the 2025 budget, and the ratification of new board members, followed by networking festivities – cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, socializing with your DRMA peers. Register here.

WorkAdvance Info Session, 1 - 1:30 p.m., Virtual - This grant program is designed to bring you quality candidates to fill your entry-level positions. Attend a FREE info session to learn more.

• 10/23 - Register here.

Meet-Ups - They are FREE and for members only. Join the conversation on these topics.

• 9/18, 4 - 4:45 p.m., Candidate Chat with Johnathan Newman, candidate for OH House District 80, virtual. Register here.
• 9/19, 8 - 9:30 a.m., Manufacturing Operations, Staco Energy Products, Miamisburg. Register here.
• 9/24, 11 - 12 p.m., Workforce/HR, virtual. Register here.
• 9/25, 4 - 4:45 p.m., Candidate Chat with Andrea White, candidate for OH House District 36, virtual. Register here.
• 10/2, 4 - 4:45 p.m., Candidate Chat with Amy Cox, candidate for U.S. House District 10, virtual. Register here.
• 10/9, 4 - 4:45 p.m., Candidate Chat with Laura Marie Davis, candidate for OH House District 55, virtual. Register here.
• 10/23, 4 - 4:45 p.m., Candidate Chat with Kyle Koehler, candidate for OH Senate District 10, virtual. Register here.

DRMA 101 – Whether you are a new member or a seasoned member, kickstart your membership ROI and learn what DRMA does to help you strengthen your business. Contact Shay to sign up!

• 9/18, 12 – 1 p.m., at TAC Industries, Springfield (lunch provided).

For more information on any of our events, visit our website.

Community Events:

• 9/19, 8 – 9 a.m., Miami Valley Safety Council Breakfast, Dayton. More information/registration here.
• 9/26, 2 - 3 p.m., Thompson Hine SmarTrade Fundamentals, virtual. Register here.
• 10/8, 10 – 3 p.m., Instrument Calibration Solutions Showcase, Clayton. Register here or contact Koti for more info.
• 10/10, 3 - 6 p.m., Taft 2024 Employment Safety Seminar, Dayton. Register here.

Make it easier on yourself to find skilled workers in a couple of years. If your facility shows well, host a student tour, whether on national MFG Day (the first Friday in October), during Ohio’s Manufacturing Month (October), and on any other day that works for you and your school partners to show students, educators, and parents the great occupations and careers your company offers. Interested? Let Amy know.

Support the DRMA Foundation by attending one or both of these unique events coming up in October! We have the Business & Bourbon event on 10/10 at Moraine Country Club, and our Trap Shoot event on 10/17 at Wright Patt Rod and Gun Club. These fun events benefit the DRMA Foundation, which pays all our expenses related to growing the manufacturing worker pipeline. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Several of our most popular workshops are running again this fall! Help current and aspiring supervisors unlock their leadership potential in our Supervisory Excellence Workshop Series, presented by DRMA member Brixey & Meyer, kicking off on 10/24. Increase your team’s ability to read and interpret blueprints in our Blueprint Reading Training on 10/25; for those a little more advanced, our GD&T Workshop will cover concepts of datums, tolerances, symbols and more in a two-part workshop on 11/15 & 22, both presented by DRMA member Sinclair Workforce Development. Contact Shay to register.

Looking for a way to engage, connect, and contribute to your and your fellow members’ successes? Join the DRMA private LinkedIn Group, exclusively for people at DRMA member companies. The group provides an on-line venue to ask questions, learn from each other, and collaborate on a private platform dedicated to our members. And we make it easy! Just click here to request to join.

Welcome new DRMA members:

• Acuren
• Airwave
• Bond Machine Company
• TechSolve, Inc - SW Ohio MEP Regional Partner