Letter from AMFA president Wade Karnes | |
|
Greetings to AMFA members, associates, and friends!
Sign up to attend the AMFA luncheon meeting this Wednesday, December 11 at 11:00 am at Green Mill Restaurant in Duluth. We will hear from Mickey Pearson of APEX on How APEX Relates to Manufacturing, and Al Johnson, President of BotCrew, followed by a tour of the BotCrew facility. It is going to be an interesting meeting and tour so sign up now!
It was a busy fall for AMFA. In mid-October a delegation from AMFA attended FABTECH 2024 in Orlando, Florida. We were represented at FABTECH as the result of a partnership with the IRRR... Read more.
| |
|
Luncheon meeting
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
11:00 am • Green Mill, Duluth
Join us for a luncheon meeting with speaker Mickey Pearson of APEX and President of BotCrew Al Johnson. BotCrew is the manufacturer of autonomous construction equipment. A tour of BotCrew will follow.
Register.
| |
|
|
Employer Health Plans
Friday, January 31, 2025
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, February 18, 2025
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.
| |
|
|
SAVE THE DATES in 2025
March 12, 2025
Luncheon meeting
May 14, 2025
AMFA Education Summit and Beverage Tasting
June 2025
AMFA golf social
| |
|
|
MMA YouTube Channel
Watch over 120 educational webinars and past meetings.
Past events
| |
| |
Northeast Minnesota Tour of Manufacturing | |
Above: Students at Epicurean.
We are so proud of and excited about the results of this year’s Northeast Minnesota Tour of Manufacturing!!! The event, which took place October 23-25, was a roaring success!
40 businesses from the Twin Ports to Hibbing to Two Harbors opened their doors to nearly 650 students from 29 local schools. Participation...Read more.
| |
AMFA hosted the third annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) Jamboree at Superior High School in Superior, WI, on November 12. The event was attended by 40 people including teachers, administrators, AMFA members and area manufacturers.
The event focused on developing actionable partnerships between educators and the manufacturers.
The event featured speakers active in CTE in Northern Minnesota, including Mari Kay-Nabozny, CEO of Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board, Tonya Land, Director of Corporate Communications at Exodus Global, Amy Starzecki, Superior Superintendent, and a presentation by Spartan CTE students followed by a tour of the Spartan CTE facility at Superior High School.
| Welcome Katie Baumann, Development Coordinator | |
Katie comes from working in marketing at a local manufacturing company in Princeton, MN. Through that she gained experience with digital marketing, SEO, social media, content creation, and communication. Her passion is to implement creativity and create connections to help people and businesses succeed.
Outside of work Katie has a photography business that keeps her busy over the weekends and after hours. She also enjoys spending time with her family, working out on Peloton, and reading.
You can reach Katie at Katie@midwestmanufacturers.com.
| 2025 Sponsorship packages | |
As the central office serving AMFA, our job is to help your business succeed. You can reach your prospects, customers and fellow members with a 2025 sponsorship packages. Learn more!
| |
AMFA represented at FABTECH 2024 | |
FABTECH 2024, North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event, hosted an enthusiastic crowd in Orlando, Florida October 15-17. Some 30,000 attendees participated in four full days of product evaluation, education, and collaborative discussions on key industry issues. Hundreds of exhibitors highlighted the emerging trends and technologies influencing the future of manufacturing.
AMFA members were... Read more.
| AMFA Board of Directors Election Results | |
AMFA Board of Directors election results were determined when voting ended on November 15. The new board members will begin January 1, 2025.
Newly elected:
- Kevin Hagen, National Bank of Commerce, Superior, WI, two-year term
- Greg Sandau, U.S. Bank, Hibbing, one-year term
2025 re-elected incumbent:
- Rally Hess, Hibbing Fabricators, Inc., Hibbing
Rounding out AMFA’s 6-member board in 2025:
- Heath Boe, Minnesota North College, Hibbing
- Sandy Bryant, Revolv Manufacturing, Hoyt Lakes
- Brad Vieths, Cirrus Aircraft, Hermantown
Board member information will be updated on the AMFA website in January.
Two members whose participation will come to an end in 2024:
- Wade Karnes, Zakobe, LLC, Bovey
- Joe Wolff, Marsh McLennan Agency, Duluth
Thank you to all the board members for your service!
| Workforce Solutions Series | |
Session 3: Tuesday, December 17
Changing Perceptions: Enhancing Duluth’s Appeal as a Work Destination
Session 4: Tuesday, January 14
Cultivating a Thriving Workforce: Enhancing Culture and Inclusivity
All sessions take place at Clyde Iron Works in Duluth from 11:00am-1:00pm
Lunch is provided.
Cost is $30 per session
Register using this link: Workforce Solutions Series Registration - The Northspan Group, Inc.
If you have issues with registration, reach out to Ali Bilden-Camps (acamps@northspan.org)
| |
Welcome new member!!!!!!! | |
Member Anniversaries!!!!! | | |
|
|
Grand Rapids High School
Duluth East High School
Hibbing High School
Hermantown High School
Northeast Range High School in Babbitt
Rock Ridge Public Schools in Virginia Cherry High School in Iron Junction
| |
|
Upcoming grant application deadline: January 31, 2025
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...
| |
|
Interested in adding dental and vision to your employee benefits? Dental health has a profound impact on overall health. Vision care is important to prevent visual impairment. We offer a range of plan designs. 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.
| | | | |
