The VMA will celebrate its 100th Anniversary in 2022. Not many organizations have this longevity and those that make it do so with hard work and shrewd strategic planning. So, in preparation for this milestone, the Board of Directors needs your feedback.

We pride ourselves on a culture of continuous improvement. We seek feedback from members during every interaction from events to workforce training. But, strategic planning requires a deeper dive into key issues such as political action and public policies. We have crafted a short survey that will help us in the development of our Vision 2025 - Strategic Plan. Your feedback will enable us to better prioritize services, investments, and resources to ensure the competitiveness of Virginia's manufacturing sector and membership value to each member.

Please take 10 minutes and complete our 2021 Membership Survey. Click here to access.

Please help us prepare for our 100th Anniversary and Vision 2025 Strategic Plan. In addition, if you know of someone (or yourself) that should be considered for appointment to our 100th Anniversary Celebration Steering Committee, please email Kimberly Noonan ([email protected]) by July 1, 2021.

COVID-19 Final Permanent Standard §16VAC25-220 Update:

With Virginia’s state of emergency set to expire at the end of this month, Governor Northam has requested that the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board convene a meeting before June 30, 2021 to address the final Permanent Standard (FPS), which does not evolve with improving pandemic conditions across the Commonwealth. It is of utmost importance that the Safety and Health Codes Board take action to address the discrepancies between the FPS, CDC guidance, and the rapidly changing realities of the workplace during this pandemic. View the letter from Governor’s Office here. The VMA will continue to provide updates as developments occur.

ICYMI: VMA Metal Connections

VMA is excited to offer a group metals purchasing program exclusively to members, designed to help aggregate primary metals purchases to leverage economies of scale and improve pricing, terms of service, warehousing arrangements, and more. Our goal is to have $25 million in orders under contract this year. VMA Members are invited to participate for no additional cost.

To participate, download the spreadsheets on our VMA Metal Connections page to document your metals needs. Each file has two tabs – one for round bar/tube, and one for rectangular bar/plate. Once completed, forward the files to [email protected].

All information received for Metal Connections is 100% confidential. This is a great exercise to examine and support your current competitive pricing. If you have any questions, please contact VMA Member Services Coordinator Kate Kapottos.

To find other suppliers for your business, don't forget to check out VMAConnections.

Part of VMA's strategic plan is to expand supply chain opportunities among Virginia manufacturers and suppliers, including small, woman-owned, veteran-owned, and minority-owned businesses. Join us for a virtual supply chain match-up event, facilitated by David A. Miles, Ph.D., on August 10 and 11 from 11:00am – 1:00pm.

All online registrations must be submitted by 12pm on August 5, 2021, and the $50 registration fee must be received prior to the event. Check out our event page for more information.

Thank you to our Title Sponsor, Heritage-Crystal Clean, and our Signature Sponsors, Blueprint Financial Group, Paymerang, and Virginia Israel Advisory Board, for their support.

VMA's Premiere Conferences - SAVE THE DATE!

Each month, VMA co-hosts a Lunch 'n Learn webinar with one of our Associate Members on topics related to manufacturing. We still have Lunch 'n Learn spots open in July and August! Contact VMA Member Services Coordinator Kate Kapottos to schedule a Lunch 'n Learn today. You can view some recorded Lunch 'n Learns here.

The Industrial Safety Readiness Training (ISRT) program provides the core concepts of safety awareness for industrial workplace training, and an individualized learning plan that addresses the most common hazardous situations faced in the industrial environment. The ISRT goal is to contribute to a reduction in workforce injuries and a higher degree of liability control.

Hear from SW Funk Industrial Contractors about how they incorporate ISRT into their training and support their "brother's keeper" culture.

To access the ISRT Certificate program and over 1,600 online safety courses ranging from process safety to fall protection, click here.

On each episode of Hear Her Story, WiM sits down with incredible women from different roles and niche industries within manufacturing. The first four episodes are out now! Learn more here.

The Manufacturers Premier program offers comprehensive coverage and flexible options tailored to meet the specific needs of the manufacturing industry.

With questions about the Manufacturers Premier program, or other available VMA Business Services, contact VMA Member Services Coordinator Kate Kapottos for more information.

As an extension of VMAConnections: a Service Provider Sourcing Center, the VMA features up to three Associate Members who support and supply services to Virginia manufacturers. Give these great Associates a click or two or three!

To see your company spotlighted here or to share resources, contact Kaitlyn Crow.

There are other benefits to using SBA export programs that can help companies experience sustainable annual revenue growth of 5% to 20%. For more information on these programs, contact Bill Houck, Export Finance Manager, SBA Office of International Trade.

SBA Export Financing: How to Use an EWCP Loan to Support a Standby Letter of Credit

Letters of credit are customized instruments and the Office of International Trade’s experienced staff of Export Finance Managers are available to help lenders review any transaction in which one may be required.

Have you ever thought about working for us? We're hiring a Sales Director!