Letter From Les
It’s hard to believe we’re already in March, where does the time go? I’ve been keeping busy these past few months gearing up for 2010 and letting our communities know that manufacturing is still a strong and important part of our economy. In a time where media presents so much doom and gloom I feel it’s extremely important for all of us involved in one aspect or another in manufacturing to tell the world we’re hanging in there and working hard to remain an important supplier of goods and provider of great jobs.
If you’re looking for opportunities to have your voice heard I urge you to consider joining CMMA on Tuesday, March 9th, when we go to the Minnesota State Capitol to talk to our legislators. We had a great group going in 2009 and I’m hopeful even a larger group will come and join us for this important opportunity. Watch the CMMA website at www.centralmnmanufacturing.com for upcoming information on this event.
I’m excited about 2010 and believe we’re off to a strong start. I’m hearing good news all around me from the manufacturing community. Thank you to all of our new members as well as new volunteers; we’re thrilled to have you on board. I would also like to thank everyone who participated in the board elections. Congratulations to our new board members, and thank you to the returning board members, your service is invaluable to CMMA. As always, thanks to you all for being a part of this great organization.
Featured Member: Starrett Tru-Stone — Manufacturer of the Year
Harry Larson, Carlo Schwinn, Jim Chirhart, Tim Zipoy
Who they are...
Tru-Stone Technologies joined the L.S. Starrett family of companies in May of 2006. They have been providing solutions in precision granite, ceramic, carbon fiber and other mediums used in precision metrology applicants for over 50 years.
In January, 2010, Starrett Tru-Stone was awarded the first annual Central MN Manufacturers Association’s Manufacturer of the year for 2009.
What they do ...
The Tru-Stone Division of Starrett combines the natural benefits of granite with the industry’s most in-depth knowledge and techniques to provide a custom product that is perfect for your application. Granite is the material of choice for machine bases and metrology components for a variety of reasons. It is rustproof, easy-to-clean, machinable and provides ultimate flatness. Starrett Tru-Stone has produced product from the size of a dime to parts that are 55 feet long and weighing 70 tons.
They produce high-precision, custom-engineered granite machine bases and accessories to manufacturers of inspection and measurement equipment and other industries, including semiconductors, flat-panel displays, advanced microelectronics, aerospace, automotive, medical, optical and general industrial. Starrett is ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accredited.
Starrett - Tru-Stone, Waite Park
Where they are ...
Starrett’s 90,000 sq. ft. facility, located in Waite Park, employs 50 people in a variety of functions from cutting, shaping, and lapping of granite and other materials through clean room assembly.
T.O. Plastics currently employs about 200 people.
How to contact ...
For more information, please call 320-251-7171,
email carlo@tru-stone.com,
or visit www.tru-stone.com.
Board Bio: Harry Larson
Where do you work, what do you do?I am a Business Growth Advisor for Enterprise Minnesota. Enterprise Minnesota is a non-profit organization established by the State, to work with manufacturers in Minnesota to help them grow profitably. We provide services such as Lean Manufacturing, Product Development, ISO consulting, Web Development, Financial Assessments, Strategic Management and various growth services. I personally work with the manufacturer to help determine the area of most concern and how Enterprise Minnesota can work with them.
What was your first job?I worked in a Cement Factory making staves for silos. When we had enough staves in inventory I worked in the yard loading cement blocks onto trucks..
Hometown: Starbuck, MN.
Family: Wife Linda, 2 daughters Robin and Katie, Son-in-law Greg and 2 grandchildren, Madeline 6, and Hayden 4.
Do you have a favorite book or author?Personally, my favorite Author is Dan Brown, favorite book is “Angels and Demons”. Professionally my favorite author is Doug Hall, and my favorite book is “Jump Start Your Business Brain”
Favorite movie? It’s a Wonderful Life
Favorite food? A Norwegian dish called Potato Klub. Lutefisk comes in a close second!
Do you have any hobbies, play any sports or favorite games?Golf is my main sport I currently play. I also am a huge fan of SCSU Men’s Hockey and College of St. Ben’s Women’s Basketball.
What would CMMA members be surprised to learn about you?I rode across Minnesota 7 times on my bicycle for the MS Society on their fundraiser, “The TRAM”. Each time was a 5 day ride with a day’s mileage between 50 and 100 miles. |
Did You Know?As a member of CMMA you have access to the Trifac Fund, a workers' compensation self-insurance program designed to save premium dollars and improve control over workers' compensation claims. Founded with just seven members in 1997, Trifac has grown to represent more than 115 companies with combined annual premiums of more than $8 million.
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UPDATE: "FIRST" Grant
On
August 27, 2008 CMMA submitted a competitive grant application to Minnesota’s
Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for a “Framework
for Integrated Regional Strategies” or “FIRST” grant.
The purpose of FIRST grants is to support new or existing collaborative
networks of economic development, workforce development, education,
and private business leaders who set and achieve strategies that grow
the region’s economy.
CMMA leadership determined that the purpose of the grant was consistent with the organization’s mission and goals. The grant would further empower the group to develop and support the vitality of manufacturing in central Minnesota.
CMMA and its partner organizations submitted a grant application with
the following goals:
- Refine CMMA mission, vision and bylaws.
- Develop an outreach plan to further engage k-12 education in manufacturing by showcasing career opportunities within this sector with the focus on core skills including Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).
- Inventory, assess, strategize, and prioritize the delivery of effective tools and techniques to strengthen, grow and retain the manufacturing industry in central Minnesota.
- Follow industry recommendations for manufacturing sustainability gathered from advisory committees and previous area FIRST grantees.
On November 3, 2008 CMMA received notice from DEED that the grant application had been approved and that $50, 000.00 was available to initiate action and implement stated goals. CMMA is very thankful to DEED for supporting our efforts and supplying financial means to achieve specific goals to support manufacturing in our area. These funds have been utilized in unison with CMMA’s additional funding streams to achieve scale.
To date, CMMA has utilized
these special funds to achieve several notable outcomes.
CMMA significantly invested FIRST resources into the very successful “Tour
of Manufacturing” that occurred on April 25, 2009. The purpose
of this event was increase interest in manufacturing careers, to educate
the general public about what manufacturing is really like and to dispel
thoughts that all the jobs are going overseas and are dirty, dark and
dangerous. Manufacturers need skilled workers who can work with leading
edge technology and they need some of the brightest and the best to
choose careers in manufacturing. Between 5000 and 5500 visits were
made to the eleven participating companies. Parents and kids
attended, students received class credits, groups and individuals both
young and old made visits, so mission accomplished!
CMMA has also invested FIRST funds in a collaborative edition of the Initiative Foundation’s “IQ” magazine which focused upon and celebrated manufacturing in our area. This widely read and acclaimed publication is a very effective tool for the work of CMMA. For more information, visit www.ifound.org FIRST funds have also been invested into the development and maintenance of the organization’s website www.centralmnmanufacturing.com. Watch for upcoming improvements in the education section of the site.
CMMA engaged FIRST funds to support the recent successful STEM Summit at St. Cloud State University. Many area middle and high schools sent their students to SCSU for a fun and educational event highlighting technology and related careers. FIRST funds were used to pay for student bus transportation to this exciting and inspiring day of discovery.
CMMA wishes to convey appreciation and gratitude to DEED and our many great partners we have in accomplishing the work of fortifying our job creation engine called manufacturing and helping to sustain jobs, schools and communities through central Minnesota.
Submitted by Tim Zipoy
Meeting Notes
Upcoming meetings:
Thursday March 25, 2010
The meeting will be held in Lester Priarie, MN with Leonard Segal presenting
on the "Employee Free Choice Act." After the meeting, there
will be a tour of RiteWay Manufacturing.
Thursday April 22, 2010
April’s meeting will be at Viking Industries in St. Joseph.
For full event listings and details, please visit our Events page here.
Do you have any suggestions for speakers or topics you'd like presented?
Please contact Sandy Kashmark at midwest@runestone.net
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Copyright© Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association Sandy Kashmark • 800-654-5773 • info@centralmnmanufacturing.com |