Letter from AMFA president Jeff Halter |
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Greetings to AMFA members, associates, and friends!
I hope you’re enjoying fall!
Once again Minnesota will celebrate Manufacturing Month in October. We are looking to offer an AMFA Tour of Manufacturing on October 26 & 27 in the Arrowhead and Iron Range and we need YOUR participation. Please fill out this form by September 29 if you are willing to participate in the following ways:
· Manufacturing tour hosts
· Manufacturing classroom speakers
· Tour sponsors
· Volunteers for the AMFA Education Committee.
If different dates work better for you, please indicate that at the end of the form. Please email me if you have other ideas or needs. Offering tours of your facility can help change... Read more.
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Mission: The Arrowhead Manufacturers and Fabricators Association (AMFA) is a member driven organization helping to strengthen and grow the manufacturing industry in Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin.
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Deep Dive into MN Employment Law Updates
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
11:00 am • Online
We will take a deep dive into new laws that will affect manufacturers and business owners, including ESST requirements, marijuana legalization, parental leave and more.
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Employer Health Plans
Tuesday, October 27, 2023
2:00 pm • Online
If you have five or more employees and are interested in saving money on your health plan, we invite you to invest 30 minutes to learn about Employer Health Plans. No cost to attend. Note: You CAN switch health plans mid-year; no need to wait for your renewal date.
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New Member Orientation
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
2:00 pm • Online
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!).
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View webinar and meeting recordings
All the recorded virtual meetings and webinars are available at:
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2023 AMFA Tour of Manufacturing - help needed
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We are looking to offer an AMFA Tour of Manufacturing on October 26 & 27 in the Arrowhead and Iron Range and we need YOUR participation. Please fill out this form by September 29 if you are willing to participate in the following ways:
- Manufacturing tour host
- Manufacturing classroom speakers
- Tour sponsors
- Volunteers for the AMFA Education Committee.
If different dates work better for you, please indicate that at the end of the form. Please email me if you have other ideas or needs. Offering tours of your facility can help change the public’s perception of manufacturing. We have resources to help you prepare for and manage a tour.
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Looking for emerging leaders |
AMFA is looking for emerging leaders to take an important role in the future of the organization. Several board of directors seats will be available in 2024 and we are looking for people who are excited about manufacturing in the Arrowhead and Iron Range areas! To get involved talk to Rachel at AMFA.
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October is Manufacturing Month in Minnesota |
To celebrate, manufacturing facilities throughout the state are opening their doors for tours. Manufacturers can offer in-person or virtual tours; reach out to local schools and offer presentations about manufacturing career pathways; sponsor school's VEX Robotics programs; or set up scholarships with local colleges.
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Web marketing minute
Let’s talk more about video. Short form video is also a great avenue for social media attention. Here are 11 video editing apps to produce short-form content, curated by our friends at Social Media Examiner. The options include Adobe Express, Animoto, Canva, CapCut, Filmora, GoPro Quik, InShot, KineMaster, Picsart, Vimeo Create, and YouCut. Whether you want more templates or more AI tools for your workflow, there’s an editing tool that can help. Read more here. Contact Becky, Communications Director, with questions.
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MMA launching new magazine: first issue will include annual MMA directory |
MMA’s membership directory is going to change formats! The annual printed directory will be included in the inaugural issue of a printed magazine coming out in early January. Midwest Manufacturing Journal will be a full-color standard-size magazine, published quarterly.
The editorial focus of the magazine will be to serve manufacturers in the Midwest with articles and resources on workforce development, legislative advocacy, leadership, innovation, safety, education, networking, partnerships, and more.
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White list MMA staff
Please white list or add our emails to your contact list:
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The 25th annual AMFA Golf Social was held on Monday, June 5 at Cloquet Country Club with 65 golfers on 17 teams in attendance... MORE
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Several AMFA representatives attended FABTECH 2023 on September 11 - 14 in Chicago. AMFA's booth highlighted our leadership in manufacturing and fabrication in Northern MN and WI regions to an estimated 45,000 people in attendance.
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Job title: Minnesota North College, Customized Training Solutions Division
Education/training? Mechanical Engineering BS from South Dakota State University, Systems Engineering MS from Naval Postgraduate School. Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Blackbelt.
What was your first job? Farmhand
Hometown? Revillo, SD
Family? Wife, Elisa, been married 21 years. Three kids: Eli, Ethan, and Ada.
Pets? 5 horses, 3 cows, 3 goats, 3 cats, 2 dogs, 25 chickens
Favorite book or author? James Fenimore Cooper
Favorite movie? Hoosiers
Favorite food? Lasagna
Do you have any hobbies, play any sports, etc.? Fishing, coaching basketball
Comment on your involvement in AMFA: Excited to join the AMFA board and continue to work to get young people excited about careers in manufacturing in northeast Minnesota.
What would AMFA members be surprised to learn about you? I teach MSHA Annual Refresher Training (the 8-hour class) and enjoy the challenge of making the class relevant and enjoyable for the participants.
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Sponsorship packages
As the central office serving AMFA, our job is to help your business succeed. 2023 sponsorship packages are still available. You can reach your prospects, customers and fellow members. Learn more!
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AMFA 2022 Snapshot
The 2022 annual report is available here.
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Welcome new members!!!!!!! |
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729 N Washington Ave 6th Floor • Minneapolis, MN 55401
(763) 358-3291
Business, process and technology solutions consultancy
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PO Box 429 • Grand Rapids, MN 55744
(218) 327-4833
Personal and business banking and mortgages
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7220 Metro Blvd. • Edina, MN 55439
(952) 893-9218
Risk manager, speaker, consultant, insurance agent, host of the Minnesota Made podcast
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17625 Keystone Ave • Lakeville, MN
(651) 214-9833
Project management, government relations, business planning and financing
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Member Anniversaries!!!!! |
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Specialty Staffing Group, LLC |
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Upcoming grant application deadline: September 30, 2023
You must be a 501(C)3, school, or other public entity to qualify, with a focus on one of three priority areas. More information and applications here.
Donate
Donations are welcome and encouraged! Donations are eligible as a 501(c)3 charitable contribution. You may send your contribution to PO Box 742, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 with AMFA ET in the memo line or email Rachel@MidwestManufacturers.com.
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AMFA information and member directories |
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Lower your operating costs |
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Responding to your needs, we have carefully selected three partners —
vetted by our board and endorsed by fellow members— to provide
a cost savings to your operation, including...
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PROduction Workforce Professionals, specializing in human resources management services just for manufacturers, is a subsidiary of Pro Resources, a professional employment organization (PEO) established in 1991 and headquartered in Detroit Lakes, MN.
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Human Resources – allows you to manage HR, benefits, and payroll over the Internet.
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Payroll – outsourced payroll administration services accessed online.
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Employee Benefits - a package of benefits for all full time (30+hours per week), permanent employees that does not cost the employer anything unless they choose to pay a portion of the premiums.
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Risk Management - specialists to ensure a safer workplace and controlled workers’ comp costs.
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Thank you to our valued sponsors! |
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Shoptalk is produced and edited by Midwest Manufacturers Association. If you have comments, suggestions for future stories, or would like to inquire about advertising, please contact us.
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