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Manufacturing voice | Workforce | Relationships | Health plans
Summer 2023
Greetings to TSMA members, associates, and friends!

Summer is flying by! I hope you’re enjoying it with your friends and family.

It’s almost time for the 30th Annual TSMA Golf Social on July 19 at Geneva Golf Club near Alexandria. Please register your team to golf, attend the dinner/awards, or become a sponsor! This is our biggest fundraiser, and we really need you to participate and help raise funds for manufacturing career awareness in the area. It should be a blast!

Midwest Manufacturers Association, our association management company, is excited to announce the ... Read more.
TSMA 30th Annual Golf Social
July 19 • 11:00 am • Alexandria

Join us for a fun day of golf, networking and fundraising for a good cause!

New member orientation
August 15 • Online • 2:00 pm
Join us to learn more about:
  • the relationship between AMFA, CMMA, RRMEA, TSMA, and MMA
  • the staff
  • the Member Information Center
  • the four central pillars
  • promotional options
  • and more

October: Minnesota Manufacturing Month.
In-person and virtual tours

To celebrate Manufacturing Month facilities throughout Minnesota will be opening their doors for tours in October. It is an opportunity for schools, families, and the general public to discover the innovative and high-tech world of modern manufacturing.
Webinar and meeting recordings
TSMA Golf Social on July 19
Make plans to attend the 30th Annual TSMA Golf Social on July 19 at Geneva Golf Club.

A huge shout out to corporate sponsors: Blackhawk Industrial, Christensen Group Insurance, Cybersprout, Glenwood State Bank, Innovative Companies, ITW Heartland, ichor, and QualiChem. Hole sponsors include Douglas Finishing, Cosmos Enterprises, PROduction Workforce Professionals, ComDel Innovation, Lowry Manufacturing, Jim's Electric, FORCE America, Prime Attachments, Turning Point Consulting, Productivity, Inc., Mackinaw Administrators, Lynnes Welding Training, Northern Metal Recycling, West Tool & Design, and AdCirrus ERP. Register today.
One initiative we are celebrating is getting into the middle school classrooms. The TSMA Manufacturing Career Dream Team members spoke to nine different sixth grade career exploration classes from January to May. Career exploration allows students to gain knowledge about their interests and skills as well as the career pathways available. Research finds that middle school is the most effective time for career guidance programs because they are already thinking about their futures and are open to career exploration. They... Read more.
Web marketing minute
Using live video builds trust with your customers. One of the greatest benefits of going live is increasing trust with your customers. Live video establishes a strong level of humanization that is hard to achieve through your website, email newsletter, or even static videos. Through live video you have the opportunity to show your culture and passion for your work. You can be a little less polished so your audience can get a better sense of who you really are as a company. Contact Becky, Communications Director, with questions.
Welcome new members
80 S 8th Street #3550 • Minneapolis, MN
(651) 358-0316
Financial services
4666 Amber Valley Parkway • Fargo, ND 58104
(605) 884-1118
Grain ingredients for the food and pet food industries
White list our email addresses
MMA Launching new magazine: First issue will include annual MMA directory
MMA’s membership directory is going to change formats in 2023! The annual printed directory will be included in the inaugural issue of a printed magazine coming out in late October. Midwest Manufacturing Journal will be a full-color quarterly magazine.
 
The editorial focus of the magazine will be to serve manufacturers in the Midwest with articles and resources on workforce development, legislative advocacy, leadership, innovation, safety, education, networking, partnerships, and more. MORE.
April meeting at Vector Windows
TSMA members gathered on April 17 in Fergus Falls for a presentation and tour of Vector Windows' new second location, dedicated to manufacturing patio doors. We learned about the history and expansion of the company.
Board bio
Kirk Kolden, Fabrication Coordinator, Massman Companies.
 
Education/training? Vending and Amuse-ment course at Brainerd A.V.T.I. But I learned my machining skills on the job.
 
What was your first job? Machinist at Alexandria Pro-Fab.
 
Hometown? I grew up on a farm three miles south of Alberta, MN. I reside in Morris, MN.
 
Family? Lisa and I have been married for 34 yrs. We have one son, Eric (32). He and his wife Kathy live in Moorhead, MN, with two sons named Jack(4) and Reid(1-1/2).
 
Pets? Two dogs: a yellow lab named Beau, and a jack russel named Milo.
 
Favorite book or author? To Kill a Mockingbird 
 
Favorite movie?  Braveheart
 
Favorite food? Pizza…hands down!
 
Do you have any hobbies, play any sports, etc.? I don’t have much time for these…my wife keeps me busy with her honey-do list.
 
Comment on your involvement in TSMA: Just getting my feet wet with this organization, but so far am very interested in what the ultimate goal is to accomplish.
 
What would TSMA members be surprised to learn about you? I have a few wildlife drawing that I am very proud of.
2022 TSMA Snapshot
The 2022 TSMA annual report is available here.
20 years
15 years
10 years
5 years
Responding to your needs, we have carefully selected three partners —
vetted by our board and endorsed by fellow members— to provide
a cost savings to your operation, including...
MMA began offering health insurance plans to TSMA members in 2017. The plans are totally customizable and have provided significant savings to fellow TSMA, CMMA and AMFA members. We partner with Hahn Financial Group, Inc., in Sioux Falls, SD, to offer Employer Health Plans. Minimum of five participating employees.

Contact us to learn more: 800-654-5773 or Rachel@MidwestManufacturers.com.
Thank you to our valued sponsors!
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