COMING UP! Lunch & Learn webinar (8/6), DRMA 101 (8/19), and Economic Update (8/20)! Be sure to scroll down to the Events section to find out more.

Reminder to all DRMA members that Ohio BWC’s True-Up deadline is 8/31. The mandatory true-up is a reconciliation of your BWC estimated payroll versus your actual policy year payroll used to determine the correct amount of chargeable premium. Complete it online, and if you’re a DRMA Workers’ Comp Program member, you can contact Paul Feck with Sedgwick at (614) 906-0535 for more information.

Manufacturers! Are you looking for sources to get your light assembly or kit building work done? DRMA is excited to partner with SOCHE and TAC to bring you the Bridging Abilities program: You get your work done, and students with developmental disabilities learn about manufacturing occupations! Even better, SOCHE will pay for at least 50% of the students’ wages! Email SOCHE at soche@soche.org to learn more.

Tap into the DRMA “brain trust” by joining the DRMA private LinkedIn Group, exclusively for people at DRMA member companies. The group provides an on-line venue to ask questions, learn from each other, and collaborate on a private platform dedicated to our members. Click here to request to join the group!

Don’t miss these upcoming Lean Manufacturing workshops, exclusively for DRMA member companies. Participants learn how to implement lean concepts and techniques to make systematic, lasting improvements within their operations. Presented by the Workforce Division of Sinclair College. $225 per session. Contact Shay for more information and to register.

• 8/21 - Value Stream Mapping: Understand how to effectively apply and implement tools to map and improve the flow of materials and information within an operation and develop a value stream plan for successful implementation. More information here.
• 10/16 - Set-Up Reduction: Learn the fundamentals of SMED and rapid-changeover and how to successfully implement these techniques on the shop floor, gain an understanding of internal vs. external changeover within an operation and how reducing non-value time positively impacts operations. More information here.
• 11/13 - Total Productive Maintenance (TPM): Understand how to effectively “mistake-proof” processes and operations to minimize and eliminate errors. More information here.

Want to increase your brand exposure and support the DRMA? Get your name in front of attendees by sponsoring one of our upcoming events! Contact Susan for more details.

• Economic Update - Respected economist Connor Lokar is back for this annual event on Wednesday, 8/20. We have several sponsorships available. This is one of our most well attended and highly anticipated events of the year with 150+ attendees!
• Trap Shoot - You’ll get your name and brand in front of 100+ attendees who come out to participate in this fun event on 10/16! Some sponsorships include shooters; lock in your spot by purchasing a sponsorship today!
• Workforce Shoptalk - Join 120+ attendees as we celebrate DRMA’s workforce successes at the next Workforce Shoptalk on 10/29 at Lincoln Electric.
• Annual Meeting - Get your brand in front of 100+ attendees at the DRMA Annual Meeting on 12/3. Lock in your sponsorship today!

THANK YOU Josh Kneidl of Benjamin Steel! Josh has volunteered in a variety of areas over the years, originally serving on our MFG Day committee. Since then, he has served on our Associate Board, which he chaired in 2023, and our Trap Shoot event planning committee; both of which he still currently serves on, making a valuable impact. DRMA appreciates and thanks Josh for his commitment to our organization and to the Dayton Region manufacturing industry as a whole. 

Sponsored Content

Join our Workforce/HR Meet Up on 8/26, 11 – 12 p.m., virtual! At this meet up, you will hear from Joe Sciabica with the Employers’ Workforce Coalition on the critical workforce development challenges facing the Miami Valley region and more! Free and for members only. Register here.

Your membership can save you $$ while upskilling your workforce! Take advantage of DRMA’s partnership with Tooling U-SME to receive 15% off (or more!) on hundreds of training courses just for being a DRMA member. Interested? Contact Amy.

Thinking about planning for MFG Month but have yet to make headway? MakingOhio has a ready-to-use resource to help get you started! The MakingOhio Manufacturing Month Planning Guide walks you through key steps for planning outreach events – whether it’s a plant tour, classroom visit, or hands-on demo. If you already have a tour scheduled, let us know your plans! Contact Amy or complete this form.

Can’t find enough qualified workers? Want to help grow YOUR future workforce? We’re looking for a few people to join our Speakers Bureau. If you are a manufacturer and feel comfortable talking to a small group of students, this may be the perfect volunteer opportunity for you! We’ll train you on how to conduct an activity that shows students how a concept can be transformed into a flourishing career by simu nlating the startup of a manufacturing company. Then we’ll work with you to schedule events that match your availability. Contact Amy to learn more.

Member exclusive! WorkAdvance, a proven initiative to supplement your recruitment strategies, will bring you quality candidates to fill your manufacturing entry-level positions. Candidates are ready now to interview! Contact Amy to learn more.

DRMA Government Relations Meet Ups provide members with the unique opportunity to talk with elected officials in a small, focused setting. Make sure you are registered for our next Meet Up with Congressman Warren Davidson on 8/28 at 4 p.m. at The Event Center of Middletown. Congressman Davidson represents Ohio’s 8^th Congressional District and is a member of the House Financial Services Committee. Register here. Free and for members only! 

8/6, 12 - 12:30 p.m., Lunch & Learn Webinar: Reshoring 101 - PCB Hardware, Software, & AI, Virtual. Last Chance to register! Presented by Gateway Now, join us to see how to bring home your PCB production & software/firmware creation/maintenance in today's turbulent tariff environment. Register here. 

8/20, 3 - 6 p.m., Economic Update: What the Leading Indicators Are Saying About 2026, Sinclair College, Dayton. Presented by KeyBank, listen to an engaging update from one of the country's premier economists, Connor Lokar of ITR Economics. His presentation will provide the information you need to guide your business moving forward in 2026. And after gaining insights from Connor, he’ll join us for cocktails and networking – a great opportunity to ask 1 on 1 questions! Register here. Contact Susan for sponsorship opportunities.

9/29, 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Fall Golf Outing at Miami Valley Golf Club, Dayton. GOLF IS SOLD OUT! But don’t worry, we still have availability for you to join us for cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. to congratulate the winners of the outing held earlier in the day. Contact Susan or click here to learn more. 

10/29, 4 - 6 p.m., Shoptalk, Lincoln Electric Automation, Fort Loramie. Registration is open! Join for a little “overtime” after work, enjoying the casual atmosphere while learning something new and networking with your DRMA peers! Topic coming soon.  Register here.

Meet-Ups - FREE and for members only. Join the conversation!

• 8/26, 11 - 12 p.m., Workforce/HR, Virtual. Register here. 
• 8/28, 4 - 4:45 p.m., Government Relations, Middletown. Register here.

DRMA 101 - Whether you are a new member or a seasoned member, kickstart your membership ROI and learn what DRMA does to help you strengthen your business. Contact Shay to sign up!

• 8/19, 4 - 5 p.m., FASTLANE, Dayton (snack provided).
• 9/23, 8 – 9 a.m., Miller Valentine Construction, Dayton (breakfast provided).

For more information on any of our events, visit our website.

Save the Date - Upcoming DRMA Events

10/16 Trap Shoot; registration opens 8/25 - Wright Patt Rod and Gun Club

12/3 Annual Meeting - NCR Country Club

Community Events

• 8/19, 4 - 6:30 p.m., Clark Schaefer Hackett, Beyond the Bill: OBBBA Planning Opportunities, Dublin. More information/registration here.
• 8/21, 8 - 9 a.m., Miami Valley Safety Council Breakfast, Dayton. More information/registration here. 
• 8/21, 4 - 6:30 p.m., Clark Schaefer Hackett, Beyond the Bill: OBBBA Planning Opportunities, Cincinnati. More information/registration here.
• 8/28, 4 - 6:30 p.m., Clark Schaefer Hackett, Beyond the Bill: OBBBA Planning Opportunities, Dayton. More information/registration here.
• 10/23, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Thompson Hine, Government Contracting Symposium, Dayton. Contact Ellen Geron for more information.

Our Fall Golf Outing is right around the corner (9/29 at Miami Valley Golf Club)! Things you should know:

• This always-popular outing benefits the DRMA Foundation, which pays all our expenses related to growing the manufacturing worker pipeline.
• Please consider buying a tee/green sponsor sign for $250. You get exposure for your company AND you benefit through our expanded workforce and career awareness outreach initiatives.
• Last but not least, even though golf is sold out, you can still attend the evening program! Enjoy a delicious dinner, networking, and LOTS of door prizes. 
• Email Susan for more information. 

Consider the DRMA Business Leads service as a source for connecting with potential customers who are looking for manufacturing suppliers. And remember to use the service if you are over capacity and need to outsource work. Email Shay and she’ll explain the process.

Save money with your DRMA membership: Our Legal Services Plan offers members one FREE legal consultation per month with employment law attorney Bob Dunlevey at Taft Law. Simply identify yourself as a DRMA member when you call 937-641-1743.

Attention Manufacturer members: Click here to see manufacturing-pertinent resumes I have received.

Welcome new DRMA members:

• Mast Logistics
• Safe Haven Mfg.