Fall 2024

Letter from AMFA president Wade Karnes

Greetings to AMFA members, associates, and friends!


I’m enjoying the return of another stunning fall in Minnesota!


Once again Minnesota will celebrate Manufacturing Month in October and I encourage you to take the time to celebrate it in some way. Register to host a public tour here and find resources to help you prepare for and manage a tour here.


AMFA is excited to announce the second annual regional Student Tour of Manufacturing will be held in October in the Duluth/Superior and Iron Range regions! At last count 14 schools and over 40 businesses are signed up to participate. Last year over 300 high school students from a dozen high schools toured over 10 manufacturing companies in Northeastern Minnesota! APEX, in partnership with the Lake Superior Perkins Consortium, DEED, and AMFA is arranging the tours... Read more.

Celebrate in October!!


Minnesota Manufacturing Month and Statewide Tour of Manufacturing


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.

Read more.

Luncheon meeting

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

11:00 am • Duluth


Registration is limited to 25 people.

Registration is open to manufacturing members only until September 20, then open to all members.


Meet at Skyline Social at 11:00 a.m. and depart for Cirrus Aircraft by carpool at 11:50 a.m.**

Register.

Employer Health Plans

Friday, October 25, 2024

9:00 am • Online


If you have two 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.

Register.

New member orientation

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

2:00 PM CST • 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.

Register.

Latest AMFA news

Student Tour of Manufacturing in Northern MN coming soon!

AMFA is excited to announce the second annual regional Tour of Manufacturing will be held again in October in the Duluth/Superior and Iron Range regions! At last count 14 schools and over 40 businesses are already signed up to participate. 


Last year over 300 high school students from a dozen high schools toured over 10 manufacturing companies in Northeastern Minnesota! APEX, in partnership with the Lake Superior Perkins Consortium and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), is arranging the tours. Live demonstrations, hands-on experiences, and real conversations with employees sparked interest and will hopefully drive many students to explore career opportunities in manufacturing!


Golf social wrap up

The sun broke through the clouds just as the 26th annual AMFA Golf Fundraiser kicked off on June 3rd at the Cloquet Country Club, making it a beautiful afternoon to play golf, network and raise funds for youth in manufacturing.

 

A special thank you to our premier sponsors, Falcon National Bank and Productivity, Inc.! Read more.

2024 Sponsorship packages

As the central office serving AMFA, our job is to help your business succeed. Prorated partial 2024 sponsorship packages are now available. You can reach your prospects, customers and fellow members. Learn more!

Purchase sponsorship

New MMA mailing address

1210 Broadway St #240 PMB154, Alexandria, MN 56308

Welcome Lynda Bailey, new Executive Director!

MMA is pleased to introduce Lynda E. Bailey as the new Executive Director. Lynda was previously the Executive Director of Riverside Medical Clinic Charitable Foundation in Riverside, CA. She also has a long history... Read more.

AMFA Membership Drive

AMFA members - we need your help. AMFA needs new members, and we are embarking on a membership campaign. Our goal is 10 new members by year end!


Please help us identify potential new members who can bring fresh energy, perspectives, passion, and skills to our association. Everyone that responds will go in a drawing for a $100 Visa gift card to spend as you please!


Here’s how you can help:

  • Think of your network: Consider people within your network who are enthusiastic about advancing manufacturing. Who comes to mind that could benefit from and contribute to our association?
  • Think outside your network: Who are you aware of in your community that has done a great job for other causes, exemplifies integrity, ambition, and is somehow connected to business?  
  • Fill out this survey with the prospective member names.

Every new member strengthens our community, broadens our expertise, and enhances our ability to make a difference in manufacturing in the Duluth, Superior and Iron Range regions.



Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our cause.

AMFA and ET seek nominees for joint Board of Director Election

AMFA and AMFA ET are governed by a shared Board of Directors. Nominations are being accepted for terms on this joint board. Two terms are up for election. Nominations will be accepted through October 4, 2024.

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

Welcome new member!!!!!!!

Tim Fisher

9300 Hennepin Town Rd #100 • Eden Prairie, MN 55347

(763) 251-8992 

http://gavnat.com

Public insurance adjusting firm specializing in commercial building property damage claims

Member Anniversaries!!!!!

>>> 20 years <<<

>>> 10 years <<<

Carlton High School

Mountain Iron - Buhl High School

Barnum Public High School

Nashwauk-Keewatin High School

Workforce development

Upcoming grant application deadline: September 30, 2024

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 1210 Broadway St. #240 PMB154, Alexandria, MN 56308 with AMFA ET in the memo line or email Lynda@MidwestManufacturers.com.

AMFA information and member directories

Lower your operating costs

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...

Looking for a health plan that could save you and your company money? Fellow members have reported lower costs and money back at the end of low-claim years with MMA’s Employer Health Plans. Learn more.

Thank you to our valued sponsors!
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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