Safely and Swiftly Restarting Michigan’s Economic Engine

MMA President & CEO John J. Walsh and the MMA team is working with Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s administration, legislative leaders and the media to bring attention to the critical need to bring Michigan’s manufacturing base back to full strength. Below are just a few of the recent media appearances as we’re fighting to get your operation back in business.

The Detroit News: Editorial — Get factories open and operating
“We’re asking the governor to let us come in now and start getting things ready,” Walsh says. “It’s our opinion, and we have evidence to prove it, that manufacturing is a safe place to work.”

Grand Rapids Business Journal: Makers prepare to ramp up
“You could write 1 million words and still not define every work situation. What we’re advising our members and the decision makers is that they have to understand it is in the best interest of both the employee and the employer to have a safe workspace, and they’re going to work things out.”

Gongwer: Walsh: May Be Close To Manufacturing Ramp-Up
“He said MMA has been providing advice and input to both the administration and lawmakers. Mr. Walsh noted that larger manufacturers like the automobile companies and other national and international companies have been able to provide important information on how to operate and use best practices. Smaller manufacturers are feeling the financial crunch more than some of the larger ones, he said. While the industry is more likely to recover than retail and some other sectors, he said time is also becoming an issue for them as well.”

MMA Urges Legislative Relief for Manufacturers

As we work to support Michigan manufacturers struggling financially and operationally in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, MMA has advocated that state policymakers consider a wide range of Manufacturing Relief Options for Economic Recovery. Policymakers in both the House and the Senate are working on strategic solutions to support Michigan’s economic recovery and MMA’s Government Affairs team is prioritizing a need to sustain the industrial sector through meaningful tax, workforce and regulatory policy changes.

MMA Working to Protect Manufacturers from Frivolous Lawsuits

In coordination with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), MMA co–signed a letter to Congressional leadership asking for liability protection for companies that have remained operational during the COVID–19 crisis, and companies that will open in the future. Companies have been the targets of coronavirus–related lawsuits that undermine their ability serve the nation.

While we joined many organizations across the country to seek a federal solution, the MMA team is working to identify state–level legislative solutions to help protect your company from coronavirus–related lawsuits. Member feedback is needed. Contact Mike Johnston at johnston@mimfg.org, or Dave Greco at greco@mimfg.org to lend your voice and perspective to this important effort.

Spotlight on Michigan Manufacturers

The response from Michigan manufacturers to the COVID-19 has been inspiring as countless employers have stepped up to transform their daily production to provide much-needed personal protection equipment (PPE) to front line first responders, health care workers and those personally fighting against the virus.  Manufacturers have a history of rising to the call of our state and nation in the face of extraordinary conditions, but often don’t get the attention they deserve.

MMA has developed the MFG Media Guide to help you begin a proactive public relations effort by following a few easy tips for drafting and distributing and press release and for getting your unique story out on social media.

MMA’s Associate Member Directory can help connect you with marketing firms that understand the industry and can help highlight the heart of your company. And, MMA is always here to help. Contact MMA Communications Coordinator Brett Gerrish at 517-487-8533 or gerrish@mimfg.org to help amplify your manufacturing story.

New & Notable

Roundtable Call: EPA and CDC to Provide Insight into Guidance on Proper Disinfection Procedures

Thursday, May 7 • 4:00 p.m.
Participant Dial-In Number: 866-609-6049
Conference ID: 2874398

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has invited MMA member companies to attend a roundtable phone call with U.S. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. This opportunity focuses on the recently issued guidance from EPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help facility operators and families properly clean and disinfect spaces to prevent the spread of COVID-19, in line with the Opening Up America Again guidelines.

The call will include opening remarks by the EPA, followed by a question and answer session for Michigan businesses in attendance. If a member company would like to ask a question, please send directly to girard.alexander@epa.gov.

Webinar: Optimizing Your Performance by Aligning People, Processes and Technology

Thursday, May 7 • 1:00 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting (or call 312-626-6799)
Meeting ID: 872 8717 6159 • Password: 05072020

In challenging times when a business is tested, cracks in the operations come to the surface. So what can a business do? Your company can optimize performance by aligning people, processes and technology.

Join MMA and Innovative Solution Partners for an interactive webinar covering critical topics, including:

1. Identifying gaps in the people, processes, and technology in your business
2. Short-term and long-term steps that can be taken to address gaps, and
3. Prioritizing and executing steps to close the gaps and move forward

The smart, versatile, reliable team of tech consultants at Innovative Solution Partners will provide insights and answer your questions. Attendees will receive a free one-hour consultation following the webinar.

Get more information, including the speaker’s bio, at mimfg.org.

Webinar: Getting Back to Work: Weighing Your Wage & Hour Requirements

Wednesday, May 13 • 2:00 p.m.
Dial In: 877-746-4263
Access Code 0284902#

Manufacturers are preparing for a time when workplace restrictions are relaxed and production can scale up. The return to work has many implications for Wage and Hour regulations that employers must be aware of.

Join MMA and Honigman’s Matt Radler for a free-to-members webinar to answer questions about reopening your business. Matt will share valuable information relating to:

• How new reopening procedures will impact existing compensable time policies
• Overcoming remote work issues related to exempt employees, particularly sales employees who cannot travel, and developing proper workaround strategies
• The impact of modified work schedules and furloughs and what that means for possible salary cuts, reduced work hours, and hazard pay

Get more information, including the speaker’s bio, at mimfg.org.

Reopening Business: Employer Issues and Risks

Thursday, May 14 • 10:00 a.m.
Dial In: 877-746-4263
Access Code 0284902#

As the state government contemplates plans to reopen the economy, employers are considering necessary steps to bring employees back to the workplace and avoid legal missteps when they do.

Join MMA and Miller Canfield as they discuss the issues that are top-of-mind for employers, potential mistakes that could pose legal risks and give real-world examples of the problems companies are having as they restart operations. The discussion will include directives on reopening the workplace, preparing the workplace for employees to safely return, pay and benefits issues, layoffs, furloughs and call-backs.

Get more information, including the speakers’ bios, at mimfg.org.

Resources for Manufacturers

Webinar: Simulated Ransomware Attack

Host: Gallagher (MMA Premium Associate Member)
Wednesday, May 13 • 2:00 p.m. • Register online

Join Gallagher for an interactive webinar of a simulated ransomware attack. Attendees will have the opportunity to vote electronically at key decision points as our presenters discuss best practices to mitigate reputational and financial harm in the event of a ransomware attack.

Click here to access MFG Tools for Safe & Productive Operations

Vital Resources to Safely and Productively Scale Up Your Operations

As we prepare for the near future where manufacturers lead the return to a robust economy with a safe, healthy, confident and economically secure workforce, MMA is working to support our member companies by developing resources to help you restart or scale up your operations safely and productively.

MMA has developed MFG Tools for Safe & Productive Operations to help you restart or scale up your operations safely and productively. This is an interactive digital tool that integrates leading safety standards for manufacturers with direct contact information for MMA member companies that have demonstrated a commitment to the vitality of Michigan’s manufacturing sector.

Stay updated and compliant with the many changes imposed over the last few weeks. Find state, federal and member resources on MMA’s COVID-19 Resources.

Please continue to reach out to the MMA team with questions.