COMING UP! Workforce/HR Meet Up (2/25), Breakfast with DRMA (3/5), and DBJ's 2025 Manufacturing Forum in partnership with DRMA (3/20)! Be sure to scroll down to the Events section to find out more.

Don’t miss these upcoming workshops, exclusively for DRMA member companies. Contact Shay for more information and to register.

• Supervisory Excellence - Unlock your employees’ leadership potential with practical insights that are vital for excelling in a supervisory role. $1,500 for 6 in-person sessions and a talent summit. More information here. 
• Lean Manufacturing - 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. More information here. Workshop #1 moved to 3/20 and space is still available!
• Blueprint Reading - Learn how to read and interpret basic blueprints. Presented by the Workforce Division of Sinclair College. $175 for one 4-hour session. More information here.
• GD&T - Learn how to read and interpret engineering drawings and better understand the ASME Y14.5 GD&T standard. Presented by the Workforce Division of Sinclair College. $250 for two 3-hour sessions. More information here.
• NEW for 2025! Problem-Solving Skills - Learn tools and techniques applicable for implementation on the production floor by operating-level personnel. Participants will gain skills and knowledge to effectively solve problems by systematically identifying root causes and applying corrective actions (think “Six Sigma lite”). Presented by the Workforce Division of Sinclair College. Starting in April; details coming soon.

DRMA’s Wage and Benefit Survey Report will help you adjust your compensation program in order to attract and retain employees. Contact Shay to purchase the report.

Safety Alert! Check out this month's tips from our workers comp program administrator, Sedgwick, and other partners:

• The Supreme Court recently made a decision regarding Temporary Total Compensation for terminated workers. Read more on the decision here.
• Use OSHA’s Top Ten Violations list to evaluate your safety program and find gaps in your safety process. Review the 2025 Top Ten list here.
• Don’t miss the 2025 Ohio Safety Congress & Expo, a free event with insightful sessions, interactive exhibits and networking opportunities designed to elevate your safety knowledge and practices, 4/16 - 18 in Columbus. Learn more and register today!

Supplier members: Your primary reason for being a member is to connect with manufacturers, and we have a great way for you to do that; become a DRMA Ambassador! You’ll reach out to manufacturer member companies to build relationships and keep them in the loop with DRMA. Contact Shay for more information.

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 Amy for more details.

• Workforce Shoptalk - Join 120+ attendees as we celebrate DRMA’s workforce successes at the next Workforce Shoptalk on 5/6 at United Grinding.
• Summer Golf Outing - Join 100+ attendees for play-your-own-ball golf and happy hour fun on 6/2 at Troy Country Club.
• Fall Golf Outing - Join 200+ attendees for scramble-format golf and dinner on 9/29 at our new location at Miami Valley Country Club.

Did we catch you at the DRMA's Shoptalk? Click here to see photos. Leave your umbrella behind? A few umbrellas were left at Gray America. To claim them, email Amy.

THANK YOU Chuck Dryer of Industrial Tube & Steel! Chuck has worn a number of hats over the years, including chairing the Government Relations Committee, serving as an Ambassador, and a stand out volunteer at career events. He now serves on the Board of Trustees and supports the Associate Board. DRMA appreciates and thanks Chuck for his commitment to our organization and to the Dayton Region manufacturing industry as a whole.

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 Susan to learn more.

Join us for the Workforce/HR Meet Up on 2/25, 11 - 12 p.m., virtual! Come to this Meet Up to share with DRMA leadership your current workforce challenges and ideas on how we can work collectively to find solutions. 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 hundreds of training courses just for being a DRMA member. Interested? Contact Amy.

Want $$ to offset your training cost for tech credentials? Funding is available thru TechCred, a program that reimburses employers for employee training up to $2,000 per industry-recognized credential and up to $30,000 per company each application round! The next application round opens 3/3! Contact a DRMA education partner now – they can help you apply! Learn more here.

We rely on our volunteers to keep our career events running! Click here to see who helped us out recently!

Help grow your future workforce by purchasing a sponsorship for student giveaways! We are preparing for our spring career outreach events, and we need your help. Your sponsorship of $500 will help us cover the costs of things like lanyards, stickers, dog tags, and wood gliders (all items that students love to get!) and will include your organization’s name. Contact Kara for more info.

Industrial Tech Training Manager needed at Edison State Community College. It is critical that manufacturers support manufacturing training programs; without qualified instructors, schools will not be able to produce employees for you! Encourage recently retired manufacturer colleagues to teach the next generation of talent to apply here.

Supplement your recruiting strategy by attending the following career fairs and events:

• Dayton Public Schools Career Fairs: Thurgood Marshall High School (2/26) and Dunbar High School (2/28). Contact David Andrews for details.
• Junior Achievement Inspire to Hire event at Dayton Convention Center, 3/18. Register here.
• Career Fair at West Carrolton High School, 3/18. Contact Melissa Fields for details.
• Reverse Career Fair at The Youth Resource Center (Dayton) 3/26. Contact Sylvie.Stewart@caresource.com for details.
• Hiring Fair at Greene County Career Center, 4/2. Contact rmack@greeneccc.com for details.
• Job Fair at Kettering Fairmont High School, 4/3. Register here.

3/5, 8 - 9:30 a.m., Breakfast with DRMA: Exploring the 2025 Economy with the Fed, MLA Companies, Springboro. Presented by MLA Companies, join us as the Fed pinpoints the facts and provides insights into the dynamics that may affect you, your employees, and your business in 2025! Event is SOLD OUT! To be added to the wait list, please contact Susan. 

3/20, 7:30 - 9:30 a.m. DBJ's 2025 Manufacturing Forum, in partnership with DRMA, Sinclair College, Dayton. DRMA members are encouraged to attend this new event featuring insightful presentations and a panel discussion of subject matter experts. DRMA members receive a discounted price to attend! Click here to register, and use promo code dbjdrmamfg25 to receive $15 off the ticket price.

4/10, 5 - 7 p.m., Business and Bourbon, Moraine Country Club, Kettering. Presented by Lincoln Electric, this classy networking event benefits the DRMA Foundation. Register here.

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

• 2/25, 11 - 12 p.m., Workforce/HR, virtual. Register here.
• 3/25, 11 - 12 p.m., Workforce/HR, virtual. Register here.
• 4/9, 8 - 9:30 a.m., Manufacturing Operations, Dayton-Phoenix Group, Dayton. 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!

• 2/27, 4 - 5 p.m., at Back to Business I.T., Beavercreek (drinks/snacks provided).

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

Save the Date - Upcoming DRMA Events

5/6 Workforce Shoptalk - United Grinding North America

6/2 Summer Golf Outing - Troy Country Club

8/20 Economic Update - Sinclair Conference Center

9/29 Fall Golf Outing - Miami Valley Country Club

10/16 Trap Shoot - Wright Patt Rod and Golf Club

12/3 Annual Meeting - NCR Country Club

Community Events

• 3/5, 8:45 a.m. - 5:45 p.m., Ohio Information Security Conference, Sinclair Conference Center. More information/registration here.
• 4/16-18, 2025 Ohio Safety Congress & Expo, Columbus. More information/registration here. 

Join us for DRMA’s Business & Bourbon event, presented by Lincoln Electric Automation, on Thursday, 4/10, at Moraine Country Club. Yes, you read that right – we heard you couldn't wait an entire year to attend this fun event again that we've bumped it up to the spring! Our main tasting takes you through a blind tasting experience, exploring how age and storage affect the flavor and finish. End the night by enjoying sips and cigars at the After Party sponsored by Greenpoint Metals! This event benefits the DRMA Foundation and funds DRMA’s workforce initiatives. Click here for more details! Limited tickets available!

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.

Struggling to fill open positions? We have a program that provides you qualified entry-level candidates and we have candidates ready to interview now! Contact Susan to learn more.

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

Welcome new DRMA members:

• Buckeye Metal Finishing
• First Diversity Staffing
• Perfection Group
• ProCareRx