Winter 2023
Letter from Les
A new year, a time to reflect on past accomplishments, review lessons learned, and lay innovative plans for continuing progress toward goals. This has been the recent work of CMMA and our leadership group.

We’ve renewed our focus on educating our members, preparing our future workforce, and partnering with elected officials to advocate for the interests of manufacturing in our area. We’ve refined and elevated our commitment to deliver value for membership and exceed expectations.  

As for accomplishments, CMMA has made long strides in workforce development again this past year. We’ve been fully ... Read more.
Member feature
Structural steel, metal joist, metal decking, and miscellaneous metals for commercial construction
Ben's Structural Fabrication, Inc.
Ben's Structural Fabrication was founded in 1959 by Benjamin Schwartz, the first generation of the family-owned business. The company started essentially as a black smith shop making, modifying, and sharpening tools for the granite industry. Ornamental iron fabrications such as railings and spiral stairways grew from the earliest days. After several successful years building and installing the ornamental iron products, the company was asked to provide some simple structural steel for projects in Central Minnesota. In 1980... Read more.
Events
Marketing for Manufacturers Series
February 15 • 11:00 am
Online
Print Marketing: Connection with Customers Through Mail and Mass Mailings
Presenters: FaceTime Business Resources
Employer Health Plans
February 17 • 9:00 am
Online
If you have five or more employees and are interested in saving money on your health plan, we invite you to invest 30 minutes to learn more.
New Member Orientation
February 21 • 2:00 pm
Online
Meet the staff, learn what your membership entails, and ask questions.
Workforce Development Webinar
February 22 • 11:00 am
Online
8 Steps to Financial Wellness by Jenna Witherbee, 401K Plan Professionals.
CMMA Breakfast Meeting
February 23 • 7:15 am
Maple Lake
Tax Incentives for Manufacturers by Matt Carlson, BerganKDV.
Marketing for Manufacturers Series
March 15 • 11:00 am
Online
Topic: TBA
Presenters: Whitebox Marketing
CMMA Breakfast Meeting
March 23 • 7:15 am
St. Cloud
Automation in manufacturing by Pete Rogers of Central McGowan
Tour: Central McGowan Automation
Past Event Recordings

Check out past events, meetings and webinars.

CMMA news & happenings
Legislative Action Alert: $1 billion tax increase and 24-week paid leave mandate moving quickly
The Minnesota Legislature is quickly moving a pair of workplace mandates through the process. If passed, businesses of all sizes would see a $1 billion tax increase and be required to offer 24 weeks of paid leave to employees. 

The time is NOW to reach out to your legislators and share how these mandates and costs would hurt your business and your employees. 

The state shouldn’t be raising business taxes by $1 billion when there’s already an $18 billion surplus. 

Moreover, these bills are simply not tenable for employers. HF2 / SF2 would create a new, mandatory 24-week paid leave program for all Minnesota employers and employees. This would make it nearly impossible to find replacement workers given the state’s historic worker shortage. Click here for fast facts on this bill. 

It’s important that you contact your legislators today and urge them to vote no on workplace mandate bills HF2 / SF2 and SF34 / HF19. 
Board of directors election results - officers named
We are pleased to announce the 2023 Board of Director election results that were confirmed in December. Candidates were listed on the electronic ballot issued in December, with eight seats available. 
 
We are pleased to welcome Mark Stafford (Coldspring) to his first term on the CMMA board of directors. Read more.
CMMA January 2023 Meeting
CMMA members and guests enjoyed speaker King Banaian, Dean of the School of Public Affairs at SCSU, sharing economic trends in manufacturing post-pandemic at the January 26 CMMA meeting.
Member of the year nominations by February 16
Each year, CMMA recognizes members that have distinguished themselves by making outstanding contributions to manufacturing in Central Minnesota. The Member-of-the-Year awards celebrate CMMA’s primary purpose of contributing to the growth and success of manufacturers.

Help us identify members that went above and beyond in 2022! Submit your nominations for MANUFACTURER of the Year and COLLABORATOR of the Year. Read more.
CMMA Prepaid Meeting Tickets Available
You can now purchase (10) prepaid CMMA meeting "tickets" for $200 through the eCommerce store. The tickets can be used for attendance at CMMA meetings, with no expiration date. Use the tickets however you wish: i.e. one person can attend ten meetings; ten people can attend one meeting, etc. Purchase here.
Member and sponsored events

Welding Discovery Day • March 6, 9a-12p
At: SCTCC
By: Career Solutions

At: SCTCC
By: Career Solutions and Career Force

The Sartell robotics are nearing completion of their robot with the electrical crew finalizing the drive motors, and controllers. Read more.
The K12Navigator update
After the expansion of the K12Navigator with collaborator Otter Tail County the number of entries has grown to 156. The K12 Navigator is an online directory that allows employers of all industries and sizes to engage with schools and students interested in exploring careers within career fields that they offer. The tool allows students to connect with employers that are.
Youth Apprenticeship Toolkit launched to help manufacturers
If you're interested in starting a Youth Skills Training or Youth Apprenticeship program, you now have access to step-by-step instructions, costs, forms, and other resources here. Help spread the word.
2022 CMMA annual report
Check out the CMMA 2022 activities and accomplishments in this annual publication.
2022 Printed Membership directory

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.
Like and share CMMA
Welcome new members
4316 Upton Ave S. Ste 204, Minneapolis, MN
Expedited shipping, Indirect Air Carrier
475 Progress Road, Waite Park, MN 56387
Structural steel
4040 42nd Street S, Fargo, ND 58104
Commercial insurance
2670 Patton Road, Roseville, MN 55113
End-to-end solar development and financing
715 15th Ave NE, St. Joseph, MN 56374
Commercial construction
9362 Nason Ct NE, Otsego, MN 55330
(507) 250-4705
Business, manufacturing and marketing consultant
Member Anniversaries - Thank You
5 Years
CMMA Foundation
Donations are welcome and encouraged
Foundation donations in 2022 totaled $6,500. That's a grand total of $132,490 since 2008.

K12 schools can apply for CMMA grants and scholarships here

Funds support youth manufacturing programs. Donations are eligible as a 501(c )3 charitable contribution. Donate online at Community Giving, or send to 101 7th Ave. S. #100, St. Cloud, MN 56301 with CMMA Fund in the memo line.
Lower your operating costs through CMMA Membership
Responding to your needs, we have carefully selected three vendors — 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.

Contact Stacey to learn more: 320-249-4791.