RIMA News May- 2018
Wishing You Success This Month...
Our job here at RIMA is to give you, the manufacturers, the ability and resources to continue and compete and grow among others in the industry. We are excited to share a number of upcoming events and stories with you!
New England Woman Small Business Owner of the Year!
Adversity is a fact of life for small business owners, never has a business opened its doors without obstacles immediately baring their teeth; Carol Dancer’s small business journey is no exception. After suffering numerous losses and setbacks, Carol Dancer remained determined to open her Absorbent Specialty Products. After overcoming numerous hurdles whilst creating her business, Dancer persevered to continue working on her now very successful business.
For her demonstrated success and potential for future growth, the U.S. Small Business Administration is pleased to honor Carol Dancer, President of Absorbent Specialty Products, as the 2018 New England Woman Small Business Owner of the Year.
Top Stories of the Month...
Fed Economists Say Tariffs More Likely to Kill Than Create Jobs
  • U.S. exporters that need steel or steel-related inputs will face higher input costs and will have to either increase export prices or reduce their profit margins
  • New tariffs are likely to lead to a net loss in U.S. employment
Industry Week Re-shoring
  • Re-shoring and foreign job announcements (FDI) surged in 2017 to over 170,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs
  • Strong evidence that work can be brought back especially in time of debate over tariffs and trade deficit.
  • Potential for more jobs to come back if the right policies are implemented
National Association of Manufacturers News...
Continuing Coverage: NAM Manufacturers' Outlook Survey Signals
  • Manufacturers across the country are as optimistic as they have ever been about the future due to a tax reform
  • According the the NAM's first quarter outlook survey, overall optimism checked in at 93.5 percent- the second highest in over 20 years
NY Times Features NAM Call For Bilateral Trade Agreement With China
  • Several senior White House trade and economic officials are travelling to China to discuss trade issues
  • The National Association for Manufacturers have been pressuring President Trump and his economic team to open negotiations with the Chinese on a free-trade agreement
NAM Reports Solid Job Growth
  • There were continuing signs of strength in the labor market last week, with job openings for non-farm payroll businesses rising to a new all- time high, up to 5,550,000 in March.
  • More importantly, manufacturing firms have hired nearly 27,000 workers per month over the past 7 months
NAM Reports on Survey Taken
In testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee, Nam Board Chair and Emerson Chairman and CEO David Farr shared the result of a survey of NAM members about tax reform:
  • 72% report that they plan to increase employee wages or benefits
  • 77% plan to hire more workers
  • 86% have already planned expanded investments
Labor in the Manufacturing Industry
Survey: 90% of US Companies Have Job Vacancies, Skilled Labor Shortages
Results of a survey by the National Association of Business Economists of "economists who work for business such as banks, retailers, utilities, manufacturers, and the housing industry" find that "9 out of 10 companies in the US have jobs to fill"
Labor Department: First-Time US Unemployment Claims at 48- Year Low
The Hill reports that the Labor Department announced that "first-time claims for unemployment benefits fell to a 48-year low as the labor market shows further signs of tightening after years of steady growth"
Manufacturers Added 164,000 Jobs in April, Unemployment Falls To 17-Year Low
  • The Labor Department announced that "manufacturers added 24,000 workers in April, extending the 22,000 gain seen in March
  • April's gains represent the 7th consecutive month with robust growth in the hiring sector, averaging 26,571 per month
Current Manufacturing News
Commerce Department: Manufacturing Goods Orders Increases 2.6% in March
The Commerce Department announced that "orders for long-lasting manufacturers goods rose 2.6 percent in March and that the big rise in orders for durable goods, which followed an even bigger 3.5 percent advance in February, was driven by a surge in demand for commercial aircraft"
Manufacturing Day 2018 To Focus on Skilled Worker Shortage
  • Manufacturing Day (MFG) 2018 will occur on October 5 with an expected record breaking turnout
  • MFG Day will focus on one of the biggest problems manufacturers face- a shortage of skilled workers
  • MFG Day goes a long way to inspire the next generation to pursue rewarding manufacturing careers
Hear About Our Annual Meeting!
  •  Rhode Island Manufacturers Association recently held their Annual Breakfast Meeting at Twin River Event Center. Guest speakers were Speaker Nicholas Mattiello and Lt. Governor Dan McKee. This year’s event was the largest attendance to date with over 450 people participating and over 30 display booths.
  • RIMA wishes to extend our thanks to all who attended and in particular our sponsors for their support on putting an informative event.
Upcoming Manufacturer's Road Show!
The Rhode Island Manufactures Association has announced in-conjunction with the Commerce Dept. the “Manufacturers Road Show”. Executive Director, Dave Chenevert, recently talked to the League of Cities and Towns about this program. It is the intent of RIMA to visit, when invited, to each city and town to discuss how RIMA can help their manufacturers and small business. In addition to RIMA being part of this, CommerceRI, Dept. of Labor & Training, Governor’s Workforce Board, Dept of Business Regulation, ApprenticeshipRI and Real Jobs will have representatives to attend these informative sessions. It is our goal to help our manufacturers learn about the many programs available to them that this Administration has implemented. Please contact your local Mayor, Administrator or Town Manager to have them contact us so that we can engage your community about the many diverse programs offered to help you and your business.
Member Spotlight
This Month's Member in the Spotlight is...
Tracey Gear
Interested in Memberhship?
Why Join RIMA?
We Advocate for Manufacturing
  • Let RIMA keep you informed on the local, state and federal levels critical issues
  • Ensure your concerns are being raised with government leaders of our state
We Promote Economic Improvement
  • We offer networking opportunities to our members
  • We promote and support a more competitive business climate
  • We collaborate with likeminded organizational partners to amplify our cross-industry interests throughout the state
We Help Solve Problems
  • A clearinghouse of information:
  • We can connect you with local suppliers and potential customers
  • We can elevate your legislative and regulatory concerns to public officials
We Support Education and Workforce Development
  • RIMA's partner, We Make RI, develops career, education programs to help companies identify and secure talented workers through certified apprentice programs