Fall 2022
Letter from AMFA president
Fall is upon us and AMFA is starting a new season of events!
Register to attend the AMFA Luncheon Meeting on September 20 at Lake Superior College in Duluth. We will be having a presentation from the Minnesota Multi Housing Association on workforce housing, followed by a tour of Lake Superior College’s Integrated Manufacturing program. You won’t want to miss it!

We are also very excited to announce AMFA will be hosting a Manufacturing CTE Jamboree for the first time in November. The event will connect the manufacturing industry and education. We are inviting school board members, superintendents, principals, counselors, Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers, manufacturers, and community leaders to learn about the CTE initiatives in our local high schools. Local manufacturers and educators can interact with students and educators,... Read more
Featured member
Covid helped create Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions

Advanced Machine Guarding Solutions (AMGS) in Hibbing manufactures steel perimeter guarding used in the robotic and automation industry. The product consists of standard and custom doors, panels and posts. The wire mesh guarding protects employee operators and equipment from hazards in machine areas and is mandated by OSHA’s safety standards. AMGS can integrate safety electronics like light curtains or door interlocks into a ... Read more
AMFA Luncheon Meeting
Tuesday, September 20 • 11:45 am
Duluth

Learn more about workforce housing from the Minnesota Multi Housing Association, followed by a tour of Lake Superior College's Integrated Manufacturing program.
Employer Health Plans
Tuesday, October 14 • 9 am
Online

If you have five or more employees and are in need of a change in your health plan, we invite you to invest 30 minutes to learn more.
AMFA Manufacturing CTE Jamboree
November 2022
Duluth

Watch for more details coming soon!
New Member Orientation
Tuesday, November 29 • 2 pm
Online

Meet the staff, learn what your membership entails, and ask questions.
View AMFA webinar and meeting recordings

All the recorded virtual meetings and webinars are available at:
Latest AMFA news
AMFA Golf Social a Success
AMFA held the 10th annual golf social on June 6, 2022 at the Cloquet Country Club. A total of 61 golfers participated and raised over $5,000 to benefit the AMFA Educational Trust. The golf social is AMFA’s primary fundraiser each year and generates funds to support technical education.

Huge thanks to our premier sponsors:
  • Altec
  • Minnesota North College
  • Productivity, Inc.
 
Hole sponsors included:
  • Bell Bank
  • GPM
  • IRRR
  • Minnesota Industrial Coatings
  • MOMENTIV
  • National Bank of Commerce
  • PROduction Workforce Professionals
  • Range Steel
  • Tip Top Chimney
  • Turning Point Consulting
  • Wipfli
  • Zakobe/Cast and Color LLC

A special thanks to our golf ball sponsor: Duluth Cargo Connect.

Make plans to attend the 11th annual AMFA Golf Social next June! If you are interested in becoming a sponsor please reach out to Alisa.
October is Minnesota Manufacturing Month
Minnesota is celebrating October as Manufacturing Month again this year. Manufacturing accounts for 11.3% of statewide employment and provided 14.5% of the state’s gross domestic product in 2021, so it’s clear that the health of Minnesota’s economy is closely tied to the strength of the manufacturing industry.
AMFA Snapshot
The 2021 annual report is available here.
Dual-Training Pipeline event in Duluth September 13
Learn about Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline and how it can help your company meet its workforce needs. Workforce Community Conversation attendees are invited to share their unique workforce challenges and successes, network with other business leaders and learn about the Minnesota Dual-Training Pipeline.

September 13, 2022, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Duluth Public Library. Register to attend. View the event flyer for more details.
White list MMA staff
Please white list or add our emails to your contact list:

AMFA to host first-ever CTE Jamboree this November!
This new event will bridge the gap between education and the manufacturing industry as we build stronger career pathways in the Northland by developing student training and apprenticeship opportunities through Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways for high school students.

We are inviting school board members, superintendents, principals, counselors, CTE Teachers, manufacturers, and community leaders to learn about the CTE initiatives in our local high schools. Local manufacturers and educators can interact with students and educators, listen to speakers on CTE Education, tour the HS facilities, and a local manufacturer.

Wade Karnes, AMFA President, applied for and received a grant from Sappi, the Cloquet Paper Mill, to make this event possible.

Be on the lookout for more event details as we approach November!
FabTech scheduled for November 2022
North America's largest metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing event, FABTECH 2022, will be at the Georgia World Congress Center November 8-10. The event is a great opportunity to meet world class suppliers, see the latest industry trends, discover new products and tools, and ultimately increase your profits.

Members of AMFA can attend FABTECH! The AMFA FABTECH Committee does an excellent job at planning a booth display for the event that highlights AMFA members to event attendees from all over North America. It is an excellent way that AMFA demonstrates its leadership in manufacturing and fabrication in the Northern MN and WI regions.
If you are interested in being a part of the committee or attending the event, contact bailey@midwestmanufacturers.
Web marketing minute
Every company wants new customers. The reality is, 74% of buyers will choose the sales professional or company that adds value or insight first in the buying process, regardless of sales cycle length. Those who aren’t adding value lose out to their competitors. Cue content marketing. The idea behind content marketing is that it’s natural. It doesn’t feel like a sales pitch and the content that you create will have legitimate value to your customers. Content can come in the form of white papers, infographics, case studies, videos, blog posts, checklist, and much more. Remember your content should add value and provide insight to your prospects and customers. Contact Becky, Communications Director, with questions.
Welcome New Members
3537 88th Ave NE, Blaine, MN 55014
(612) 685-2269 
Packaging products  
301 York Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55130
(800) 229-6263
Fire protection systems and services
Member Anniversaries
20 Years
Duluth Brass Manufacturing, Inc.
5 Years
10 Years
Workforce development
Upcoming grant application deadline: October 1, 2022
You must be a 501(C)3, school, or other public entity to qualify, with a focus on one of three priority areas. More information and applications here.

Donate
Donations are welcome and encouraged! Donations are eligible as a 501(c)3 charitable contribution. You may send your contribution to PO Box 150, Elbow Lake, MN 56531 with AMFA ET in the memo line or email Rachel@MidwestManufacturers.com.
AMFA information and member directories
Lower your operating costs
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...
Since its inception in 1997 more than 125 companies have benefited from reduced costs, an improved safety environment, and increased control over claims management. Learn more.
Thank you to our valued sponsors!
Shoptalk is produced and edited by Midwest Manufacturers Association. If you have comments, suggestions for future stories, or would like to inquire about advertising, please contact us.