Manufacturers Newsletter

May 2017

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

Oh Yes We Did!

We've changed our name to better reflect our regional mission. It's not just Upper Tampa Bay but our coverage is inclusive of manufacturers doing business anywhere in the Florida Suncoast (or beyond if we can be of help). Our mission is straightforward: Engage regional governments, educators, workforce developers, relevant agencies, associations and manufacturers into a partnership that will produce an advanced, developmental and sustainable world class manufacturing community. Our model is to be YOUR one-stop concierge for all things manufacturing with a focus on customer service, quality and cost effectively. Annual membership is a flat $250 annually to hook you up with everything you need to advance your business objectives. We want to float all boats! Join now!!!

Upcoming!!!

Mark your calendars. We're trying to look ahead a bit.

June 15 Monthly Meeting. 8-9:30 am. Topic: Training Grants - How They Really Work. The funding year starts in July and best to get your requests in early. Hear directly from users on the benefits and how to 'beat the system' (well at least make it less painful).
August 17 Half Day Seminar. 8-Noon. Topic: Quality: A Culture That Pays Off! Check flier for details.
October 5 Annual Manufacturers Dinner. Never too early to make plans for this one. Great speaker lined up. Check flier.

Advanced Manufacturing Summit

May's meeting focused on the impact of emerging technologies on manufacturing processes, productivity and personnel. The theme of the summit was "The Changing Nature and Value of Work: The Fourth Industrial Revolution". Interestingly, we ran across an excellent article in the spirit of the summit titled Manufacturing Isn't Dead, It's Evolving. The article draws some parallels between the manufacturing revolution led by Henry Ford and the challenges and opportunities of our changing world. Our summit covered some of the technological breakthroughs presenting these opportunities but the bottom line centered around the fact that technology is only a tool and the impact is always going to depend on the ingenuity, innovation and skill of the people designing and employing that technology. There's an old adage that applies - "Lead, follow or get out of the way!". The purpose of the summit was to get our collective juices flowing so as a region we lead the pack in innovation and productivity. Check out our video and click here to read more.

2017 Sterling Awards

Two Florida Suncoast Manufacturing Association Board Members were honored as Sterling Award Finalists in the Excellence in Manufacturing Category. This was the 25th Anniversary of this prestigious award. Southern Manufacturing Technologies took the honors in the under 200 employee category. Shown here, Roy and Shannon Sweatman (center) and staff receive the award from Kevin Carr, Director of Florida Makes.

Shown here Jamie Harden, Creative Sign Designs, and Roy Sweatman receive their plaque as 2017 Sterling Award Finalists.

It's About People (stupid)!

No matter how you slice it, the future advancements in manufacturing (and society as a whole) will revolve around people; the knowledge they possess, the skills they develop and their ingenuity in harnessing new technologies for productivity. That was a clear conclusion of the recent manufacturing summit. Technology is simply a tool. Progress depends on people. Here's a couple links with some deeper thoughts on the topic and a brief survey from Florida DEO on Apprenticeship Grants. Please consider taking it - about a minute or less.

Trump Budget Proposal Would Slash Funding To Prominent Manufacturing Programs

Here's one worth drilling into a little more. In one way, no news here as some of this comes every budget cycle. In another, this is unchartered territory and the discussions on this budget will be interesting to say the least. But the three most visible manufacturing programs under the gun include:

The NIST funded national Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP) in Florida this function is performed by FloirdaMakes, one of our core partners. This would be totally defunded in this budget.
Manufacturing USA, a national network of nine manufacturing institutes, would be cut 70%.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding would see a 39% cut. The services under this act are executed by Career Source Florida.

Check here for the complete list of programs on the chopping block.

Have You Been Impacted By Import Competition?

If your manufacturing business has been negatively impacted by import competition and you are interested in expanding your export business, we have some good news. The Southeastern Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (SETAAC) provides up to $75,000 in cost share assistance in a highly effective program to turn the tables. These funds are made available through the Trade Adjustment Assistance for Firms (TAAF) program. Click here for more information on how to apply. Better yet, let us help you. If you're interested in this contact Jerry Custin and we'll help you wade through the bureaucracy.

Reshoring has Become an Economic Development Strategy

Here's an excellent article on reshoring based on research accomplished by the International Economic Development Committee (IEDC) containing links to other resources on the topic including a webpage on Reshoring American Jobs funded by the US Economic Development Administration a white paper on reshoring and a host of other resources. Fundamentally it lists four key factors involved in this decision.

Increased wages - "China's wages rose 15 to 20% per year at the average Chinese factory"
Fluctuating currency value - "when compared against the U.S. dollar, the Chinese yuan increased in value by 35%
"Labor productivity, which is measured as the gains in output per manufacturing worker"
"Reduction of energy costs from 2004 to 2014, especially in energy-dependent industries such as iron and steel and chemicals industries"

We Do Round Tuits

Have anything that nags you routinely in you r 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. A great one is us of IWT and EWT grants to offset training costs. The next round of applications starts July 1. Contact Patrick Baymont for more information.

Things That Make You Go Hmmm????

Seems to be more going on each month that raises an eyebrow. Trump and his crew remain very active on the global scene. More $ going into US manufacturing. Technology advancing on multiple fronts including 3-D printed rockets into space and more opportunities for hackers. Oscar Mayer changing it's hot dog ingredients and a mixed bag internationally - Europe up, China and Japan not so much. Gotta keep reading to keep up. Click here.

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

June 1 Building A Thriving Manufacturing Workforce
June 2 Manufacturing Key to US Prosperity

White Papers...you either lead, follow or get run over. Some excellent white papers on challenges, opportunities and solutions. Don't forget, we can help when you want to get a Round Tuit. Click here....

Calling Future Engineers

The Pinellas Science Center is providing training to future engineers the week of June 5. Participants will receive training in the principles of manufacturing and will earn a J Standard Soldering Certificate upon completion. Thanks to DRS Technologies, GE Aviation and QTM Manufacturing for stepping up to sponsor this training. This was a cooperative effort among the Florida Suncoast Manufacturing Association, Career Source Pinellas, the Pinellas County School District and St. Petersburg College. The object is to develop hands on skills as part of the applied knowledge instruction. The next goal is experience. If you are interested in providing one of the graduates a 4-6 week internship this summer please contact Patrick Baymont .

Jobs Corner and Marketplace

Seeking

Marketplace

Association Update

We appreciate those of you that have joined either the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce or the Florida Suncoast 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 2017 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: 5