Manufacturers Newsletter

March 2017

Welcome to Upper Tampa Bay Manufacturers Association

Your One Source Newsletter For All Things Manufacturing...Current and Future!!!

DRS Technologies Plant Tour

Join us March 16 at 8:30 am for a plant tour of DRS Technologies. They are located at 6200 118th Avenue North, Largo.

DRS is a major defense contractor with a wide range of products. Sean Orris will be conducting a tour to showcase their Largo facility that supports a variety of products utilized in radar, sensing and power applications. Sean says he looks forward to the process of building relationships with our members. This is a secure facility so please click here if you can attend so we can provide a count. As a thirty year vet who used this stuff I like their core values expressed partially here. "Warfighters' lives don't depend on the best defense company. They depend on the company that provides them with the best solutions." Technology is indeed a force multiplier. You want to see what's happening at DRS.

There Is A Free Lunch!

At our February meeting Lonnie Chenkin, Green Lumens, made a compelling case that there really could be a free lunch when you properly deploy newer technology. I say newer as we all know LED lighting is available off the shelf, saves energy and has extended service life. So what?

The difference at this meeting was in the Green Lumens business model that employs that technology on a commercial scale, on their dime, in your plant to save you money from day one! How? As Lonnie says, "It's pretty simple, it's in the math". Read more to see how you can save utility costs, improve your work atmosphere and save money from day one. See how...

Future of Economic Development

Here is a very interesting Brookings Institute study (with excellent internal links for those digging deeper) on challenges or opportunities to economic developer. The paper points out that under President Trump the emphasis on economic development will become more important locally as the emphasis shifts to a smaller federal government. It also covers ongoing demographic shifts as well as the impact of technology on skills demanded in the market place. It lists five principles for success in the emerging economy.

1. Set the right goals
2. Grow from within
3. Boost Trade
4. Invest in people and skills
5. Connect place

Interesting and important read!

The Future of Work

OK folks a little warning. This can make your head hurt. Our world is changing in many ways simultaneously but with one incontrovertible common reference - whatever we do our businesses, communities and culture will all be driven by the quality and attitude of the individuals in the mix. People will always be the main ingredient.

For manufacturing, technology is changing the very nature of work and the demands on our workforce. We are heavily driven by the demand for not only a skilled workforce but also an increasingly knowledgeable one. Our success in translating knowledge to skill as well as increasing the knowledge base of our aging skilled workers will determine our success as we continue on this transition in the 4^th Industrial Revolution.

Mark your calendars for May 18 right now! Career Source Pinellas and Career Source Tampa Bay are sponsoring our annual Manufacturers Summit. We are forming a panel of industry and scientific experts to explore this topic in depth. More to come. But click here to explore the factors at play.

Seminar: Developing An Internship Program

We are proud to work with Able Trust in hosting this seminar, Friday March 24, 8-11 AM. Able Trust focuses on placing individuals with disabilities. The seminar will be staffed by two expert faculty, the seminar will also include an HR attorney. The event will include a course book, relevant materials and breakfast.Seminar will be held at the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, 101 State Street W, Oldsmar. For more information and registration click here.

TRADE Tools

Here's a list of tools and upcoming trade missions in the winter and spring. Read more...

We Do Round Tuits

Have anything that nags you routinely in your operation but doesn't q uite get up the priority scale to make it go away

permanently? Stuff that may cross some management lines and isn't quite worth the battle? These are irritants you never get around to. No more excuses, we're here to take them on. Read on...

Things That Make You Go Hmmm????

President Trump is featured again in the business, politics and international sections. He's got the pot stirred for sure. Interesting mini-series on the Boeing union vote in South Carolina. Goes from the future of unions in the south, to not so fast here to Trump visits and is different from Obama. Lots of other quick reads.

T ake a peek...

Time Savers

Here are links to additional information on various important topics

COMMUNITY CALENDAR and NEWSLETTERS Click Title to Access

With the help of Becky Burton, BAMA, we're trying to pull together a single calendar of all regional manufacturing events to include BAMA, UTBMA, and professional associations like SME, APICS, NTMA, etc. Access the calendar here. If you you would like to input your organizational calendar contact Becky Burton or Jerry Custin.
One Voice - great national level insights on a variety of hot topics from NTMA and PMA Advocacy Clips...
this is a must browse

March 1 Tooling and Machining Spotlight on Workers
March 2 Moving From Dumb Manufacturing to Smart: Catch the Fourth Wave
March 3 Real Life Or Fantasy? AR hits Manufacturing
March 4 The Retraining Paradox

White Papers...more useful thoughts

Jobs Corner

Career Source Intern Hiring Fair April 4, 2-4 PM Double Tree Westshore

Pinellas Technical College Apprenticeship Programs

Below is a variety of information on job seekers and employment opportunities:

Florida Chamber Adds Internship Program Focused On Workers With Disabilities

Seeking

Added some great new job seekers this month some highly experienced.

Career Source has trained solderers. Several come with Paid Work Experience and/or OJT funding. Take a look!!!

Proven senior leader and management professional,veteran
Veteran, aircraft maintenance, HAZMAT qualified, heavy equipment operations, leadership skills
Hard worker, impressive and versatile hands on skills, OSHA, MHSA trained
Experienced Mechanical Engineer/CAD Designer

Opportunities

Cardio Command is looking for a Buyer/Planner. Click here.
Dermazone Needs A Shipping/Receiving/Material Handler Click here for details
Farmer Mold Lists Four Openings Contact Janet Leroux

Association Update

We appreciate those of you that have joined either the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce or the Upper Tampa Bay Manufacturers Association. We request that you consider formal membership at this point. We are attaching a brochure outlining the service activities we provide as well as an application form. We appreciate your consideration and support and look forward to advancing the cause of manufacturing in the Upper Tampa Bay in 2015 and beyond!

Manufacturers Association Resource Guide

At the roundtable we heard many comments along the lines of 'I didn't know that', 'I wish I would have know that' and how do find out about that'. So we have developed a resource guide which will have a permanent spot on this newsletter to try and help out. This is a 'work in progress' so any suggestions on making it more robust and useful are welcome. Access the guide by clicking here.

Issue: 3