I’d like to start out with a little history that most people may not know on my journey to becoming more involved with AMFA. I started my first company Zakobe Metal Stampings from scratch in 2005 and have been a member of AMFA since 2007. Until 2019 I had never been involved with being on the board of directors’ but decided to join AMFA’s board that year. The first meeting I attended I was 100 percent in over my head. I left that meeting so confused as to what went on at the meeting and what I was supposed to be doing. I struggled through most of that year and was ready to throw in the towel and resign. It was about that time that then President Jim Petruga reached out to me with a long phone call. During that call Jim not only convinced me to stay but to throw my name in the hat to become the next president. All I can say is Jim is one heck of a salesman. He helped me see the value I brought to the Board with my passion for connecting schools and manufacturers. My first year as president was ... Read more
|
|
AMFA Golf Social
Monday, June 6 • 12 pm
Join us! Bring your friends! Bring your colleagues!
|
|
|
Employer Health Plans
Tuesday, July 12 • 9 am
Online
If you have five or more employees and are in need of a change in your health plan, we invite you to invest 30 minutes to learn more.
|
|
|
New Member Orientation
Tuesday, August 30 • 2 pm
Online
Meet the staff, learn what your membership entails, and ask questions.
|
|
|
View AMFA webinar and meeting recordings
All the recorded virtual meetings and webinars are available at:
|
|
AMFA Beverage Tasting a Success |
The Beverage Tasting Fundraiser on March 10th featured an enchanting venue, many tasting options, and lively conversation amongst supporters of the manufacturing community. Hats off to Consulate General of Canada, premier sponsor again in '22.
This event is a fundraiser for the AMFA Educational Trust that provides grants to area K-12 schools and post-secondary institutions for manufacturing related training, programs, and competitions in the region.
|
Plans are underway for Minnesota Manufacturing Month
The state of Minnesota is beginning to plan October as Manufacturing Month again. Manufacturing accounts for 11.3% of statewide employment and provided 14.5% of the state’s gross domestic product in 2021, so it’s clear that the health of Minnesota’s economy is closely tied to the strength of the manufacturing industry.
Manufacturing month is a key time to educate potential employees about careers in manufacturing, tour local manufacturing facilities, assist manufacturers, and increase the value of AMFA. Contact Bailey to offer a tour.
|
President & Owner of Range Steel Fabricators
What was your first job? Labor, trimming Christmas trees.
Hometown? Many, born in Olathe, KS, moved a lot. Consider Grand Rapids, MN my hometown.
Family? Spouse: Gina. Kids: Sophie, Stella and Colton
Do you have any hobbies, play any sports or favorite games? I enjoy gardening, ATV’ing, floating on the boat with family, bird hunting and now trying to raise honey bees!
Comment on your involvement in AMFA: Recently added to the board, but more importantly my involvement has been monthly lunch & tours, joining AMFA for FabTech and I’ve learned so much more about the industry as a result. AMFA involvement has also brought great awareness of our business to the region and beyond.
What would AMFA members be surprised to learn about you? I always wanted to “own a business that makes something,” but had personally never stepped foot in a machine shop or fabrication shop until the day I bought Range Steel Fabricators – it was an odd way to jump into an owner/operator role, but thankfully my belief in building the right team around me has helped make it work!
|
AMFA Snapshot
The 2021 annual report is available here.
|
White list MMA staff
Please white list or add our emails to your contact list:
|
|
Manufacturing employees may be eligible for Minnesota Frontline Worker Pay
Governor Tim Walz signed a bill passed by the Minnesota Legislature providing bonus pay for eligible COVID-19 frontline workers. Details of the program, including the application process and timeline, are still being finalized. Employers must provide notice to all eligible employees on how to apply for the pay within 15 days of the application period opening. Read more.
|
FabTech scheduled for November 2022
North America's largest metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing event, FABTECH 2022, will be at the Georgia World Congress Center November 8-10. The event is a great opportunity to meet world class suppliers, see the latest industry trends, discover new products and tools, and ultimately increase your profits.
Members of AMFA can attend FABTECH! The AMFA FABTECH Committee does an excellent job at planning a booth display for the event that highlights AMFA members to event attendees from all over North America. It is an excellent way that AMFA demonstrates its leadership in manufacturing and fabrication in the Northern MN and WI regions.
|
2022 Membership Directory - Coming in July
Contact the office if you'd like additional copies.
|
Sponsorship packages
As the central office serving AMFA, CMMA, and TSMA our job is to help your business succeed. We are proud to offer the 2022 sponsorship packages and are ready to help you reach your prospects, customers and fellow members. Learn more!
|
Web marketing minute
Videos are a powerful tool in recruiting effectively because they can reach passive candidates. Recruitment videos can grab the attention of top talent by telling a story that speaks directly to potential candidates. Research tells us that video content on social media typically achieves 1200% more shares than text and image content. Some recruitment firms even claim that embedded videos receive 800% more engagement on job posting and 34% greater application rates. Time to add recruitment videos to your arsenal. Contact Becky, Communications Director, with questions.
|
|
Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions
1117th Ave. E., Hibbing, MN. 55746
(218) 994-9124
Safety robotics machine guarding
|
819 W. St. Germain, St. Cloud, MN 56301
(320) 217-8883
Website Services | Marketing | Video Production
|
|
201 E. Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 673-5964
Financial Services
|
2600 Catlin Ave., Superior, WI 54880
(218) 390-5156
A student-run manufacturing business based out of Superior High School.
|
|
Upcoming grant application deadline: October 1, 2022
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 150, Elbow Lake, MN 56531 with AMFA ET in the memo line or email Rachel@MidwestManufacturers.com.
|
|
AMFA information and member directories |
|
Lower your operating costs |
|
Responding to your needs, we have carefully selected 3 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
