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MMPA Newsletter - April 2003
MMPA Board Visits Governor Baldacci
President's Message
MMPA Member Company Profile - Sounders Manufacturing
EASTEC
MMPA Resource Page
Legislation Matters
Free CMTC Machine Tool Certificate Program
"Battlebot" Project in Southern Maine
Calendar of Events
MMPA Board Visits Governor Baldacci
On Thursday, March 20, the MMPA Board of Directors met with Governor John Baldacci at the State House in Augusta. The Board requested this meeting to give the Governor a closer look at MMPA, and to offer our support in finding solutions to metal industry challenges. Present were: Governor John Baldacci, Jack Cashman, Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Baldacci; Bob King, Steele and Marshall; Wick Johnson, Kennebec Tool & Die; Peter Anania, MEGA Industries; Leo Dionne, Pratt & Whitney; Steve Boulet, WahlcoMetroflex; Allen Estes, Rich Tool & Die; Dick McCann, McCann Fabrication; Bonita Pothier, I. Zaitlan; Bruce Tisdale, Mountain Machine; Duane Gushee, D&G Machine; Donna Church, Church's Welding; and the MMPA staff.
Wick Johnson gave a brief presentation to the Governor on the history of MMPA and the current state of the industry. The presentation indicated why the metal trades is a great industry, and what our industry needs in order to succeed. The Governor responded in a very positive way and indicated that he is aware that our industry is important to the State of Maine.
At the end of our time with Governor Baldacci, he offered passionate remarks about his proposed budget. The Board was soon offering our collective approval and support to our new Governor in his quest to get this budget passed.
Jack Cashman, Senior Policy Advisor, presided over the question and answer session that followed.
After leaving the State House, the MMPA Board met with President John Fitzsimmons of the Maine Technical College System. The Board was eager to find out more about the new Community College program and how it will impact the metal trades industry.
The meeting with President Fitzsimmons resulted in some ideas about how MMPA can work with the Technical College to attract students to the metal industry.
We thank Governor Baldacci, President Fitzsimmons, and the MMPA Board of Directors for these productive opportunities and a successful trip to Augusta.
Letter from the President
By the time you receive this letter, some signs of spring should be revealing themselves! MMPA continues to gain members as we move forward with the Manufacturing Supply Chain Consortium, LEAN Manufacturing workshops, monthly meeting tours and a host of other activities on behalf of MMPA members.MMPA will be hosting two LEAN workshops in April, at United Technology Center in Bangor on April 17, and in Portland at Nelson and Small on April 29. Also MMPA will be attending EASTEC on May 20-22 in Springfield Mass. As we attend trade shows and various functions, MMPA displays our member products. Please let us know if you want us to display your brochures and a sample of your product(s) on our table.
MMPA has been working hard on the MMPA web site! Please take a moment to visit the web site! Check out fellow member listings, job postings, partners, MMPA newsletter and much, much more…..
I would like to thank all the members who attend the monthly meetings. It is an important show of support.
Bob King, VP & Co-Owner, Steele & Marshall, Inc.
MMPA Board President
SAUNDERS MANUFACTURING
A FAMILY OWNED COMPANY
Member Since 1988
A FAMILY OWNED COMPANY
Member Since 1988
Saunders Manufacturing Co. Inc. is a family owned company rich in history and commitment to a singular vision: consistently provide superior, outstanding service and fair, friendly dealings with all of our customers….it's our way of doing business.
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As technology has entered our daily lives it has changed the way we all work. While paper documents and forms are still widely used, the onset of the digital age gave us a new opportunity to protect forms…digital forms. We capitalized on our core competency of Aluminum Form Holders and acquired a company by the name of RhinoSkin™, creators of the original Titanium protective case for the Palm Pilot PDA. We have since expanded RhinoSkin™ to be a cutting edge provider of PDA cases by offering the broadest product line in all form factors including aluminum, titanium, premium quality leather and synthetic sport materials. RhinoSkin™ is a leading brand provider of PDA cases and has expanded across device platforms to position itself as the leading brand of cases for mobile technology products. Saunders positions itself to meet the needs of our end-user customer base by providing Solutions for How You Work™.
Saunders continues to set standards of excellence in quality and craftsmanship by offering high performance adhesives manufactured by UHU. Saunders expertise in the retail and commercial office products channel has positioned us as a national distributor for UHU GmbH, the premier international brand of adhesive products. These products are diverse in functionality and targeted to meet the needs of school, home and office, and arts and craft users.
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Titanium Case for Palm Pilot |
For more info contact:
Saunders Manufacturing & Marketing
PO Box 243
Nickerson Hill Road
Readfield, ME 04355
phone: 207-685-3385
fax: 207-685-3238
website: www.saunders-usa.com
EASTEC
SME, in cooperation with the Greater Boston Manufacturing Partnership (GBMP), has developed one of the most comprehensive lean manufacturing programs ever assembled at this year's EASTEC, May 20-22, 2003, held at the Eastern States Expositions Grounds. As an SME Partner member you can attend the EASTEC show free, and save serious money on sessions at the all new EASTEC Lean Manufacturing and Business Improvement Pavilion and Conference. SME is practically giving away top-of-the-line education for SME and its partner members. All sessions range from a low of $25 for one-hour courses to a high of $99 for half-day programs. Those not being a member of SME or our partnering organizations will invest double that amount. More importantly, what is included in this investment package can not be overlooked. All paid attendees to one or more session include the following SME materials and benefits.
The Lean Manufacturing & Business Improvement Pavilion will feature your association's booth as well as many products and services that can help you make the lean transition. This area will also feature the Lean Learning Center (booth # 6442)...a visual showcase of lean manufacturing terminology in action with many educational books, videos and materials on the subject. You can also meet one-on-one with lean consultants and find out more about state grant programs that pay for employee education and lean implementation training.
You can register for the event on our website www.sme.org/eastecconference. Deadline to register by May 2, 2003 to attend the show for free and qualify for the lowest discounts on educational programs!!!
SME has developed a partnership with the Manufacturing Extension Partnerships of the six New England states to offer new business opportunities for your members. I recognize that many of you represent members that are job shops, machining/engineering companies and contract manufacturers. I also realize that now more than ever, you could use some new business and would certainly welcome options with the Defense Industry. Well here's your chance. EASTEC will be the meeting ground for small to mid-sized manufacturers to join the Manufacturing Supply Chain Consortium's "quick response" manufacturing database.
SME, MEP Make it Easy for Manufacturers to Do Business with Defense Industry despite spending billions of dollars on supplies, the defense industry is shrinking its supplier base, like most enterprises. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are making contracts less available to small businesses by trying to use their purchasing system more effectively, and buying larger numbers of items in a single contract. This practice puts many contracts out of reach of a single small business. The response to this situation is the defense supply chain initiative, spearheaded by the Manufacturing Supply Chain Consortium (MSCC) a new resource for small-to-medium enterprises throughout the six New England states, provided by New England centers affiliated with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) network.
SME has made this partnership with the MEPs in New England to provide new business options for its members and EASTEC attendees. Participation in the defense supply chain initiative provides SME members & EASTEC attendees with unprecedented opportunities to be chosen to supply components to OEMs under contract to the defense industry without the need for large investments of time and capital in order to meet defense industry certification requirements, by becoming part of a database of designated defense industry suppliers. Visit the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) in Booth #6658 for more details.
I would encourage you to either use the below link or call me directly (I would welcome the calls) to find out more about this initiative. www.manufacturingsupplychain.org
Contact Information:
Dan Radomski
Show & Sales Manager, Expositions
Society of Manufacturing Engineers
One SME Drive * PO Box 930
Dearborn, MI 48121
phone: (800) 733-3976 ext. 3147
phone: (313) 425-3147
fax: (313) 425-3407
e-mail: dradomski@sme.org
MMPA Resource Page
| JOB Seeker's Corner CNC Machinist, Portland Scott Staffing For job details, contact information, and most up-to-date selection, see our job posting board at www.maine-metals.org/scripts/jobposting/default.asp TO EMPLYERS: Post jobs on-line at MMPA to fill any open positions within your company !! |
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| Market Development Center - Assists Maine small businesses obtain
government contracts with the Department of Defense, other Federal
Agencies, state/local governments and prime contractors. For more info contact Rachel Lynch Market Development Center at Eastern Maine Development Corporation One Cumberland Place, Suite 300 PO Box 2579 Bangor, ME 04401 voice: (207)942-6389 or (800)339-6389 fax: (207)942-3548 e-mail: rlynch@emdc.org website: www.mdcme.org |
KENNEBEC TOOL & DIE HIRES HARVEY SMITH
TO MANAGE BUSINESS OPERATIONS
TO MANAGE BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Augusta, ME, March 10, 2003 - Kennebec Tool & Die, a supplier of precision machined components and assemblies to the aerospace, semiconductor, medical, and communications industries, announced today that it has hired Harvey J. Smith as Operations Manager. Harvey joins KTD from Sanmina-SCI where he held various positions including Production Manager and Quality Manager and will report to Wick Johnson, President.
"Harvey rounds out our Senior Management Team," said Mr. Johnson. "His broad operational background and experience in lean manufacturing make him a solid match for our expanding operations. We are delighted to welcome him aboard."
Smith brings to Kennebec Tool & Die an accomplished background in lean manufacturing practices and successful implementation of a variety of management systems. He is a graduate of the Babson College with a BS in Finance.
Legislation Matters
Our Legislators do listen…but it's up to Maine people, especially Maine business people, to speak up to be heard. Finding the time to participate is often a problem. The Maine Economic Research Institute (MERI) has designed our weekly electronic newsletter with this in mind. You'll find this powerful tool quick and efficient.
You can get up to speed on this week's top five business bills in Augusta, through the MERI web site www.me-ri.org
Get details on the legislation, on the legislative committee working the bill, or track the bill's sponsors and email them with a single click. Public Hearings on these bills are imminent so the time to speak up is now!
Of course, you can always investigate your legislator's economic report card (where applicable) through the MERI website or by getting your copy of the published MERI Almanac of Maine Politics. MERI is hard at work preparing for our next publication on the performance of the 121st Maine Legislature for its first session ending in June, 2003.
The bottom line? Listen to what they say…but measure what they do!
Engage in the process! Subscribe to MERI today!
Maine Economic Research Institute
7 University Drive
Augusta, Maine 04330-9412
phone: 207-622-9075
cell: (207).215.6082
fax: (207)622.0371
email: gdfoss@me-ri.org
website: www.me-ri.org
Powerful Information for Effective Action
Free CMTC Machine Tool Certificate Program to Start in May -
Adult Refresher Courses Available Now
Adult Refresher Courses Available Now
Central Maine Technical College and the River Valley Technology Center will offer the third session of their program leading to a Certificate in Machine Tool Technology starting in May. This 29-credit program will be provided at no cost to qualified participants; however participants must have good English and algebra skills. Anyone considering taking advantage of this program should contact their local CareerCenter to determine whether they qualify to take the course at no cost and whether they need to upgrade their English and Math skills. If they do, refresher courses are now being offered (also at no cost to qualified participants) at Vocational Region 9.
In the Mexico-Rumford area, contact the Rumford Career Center at 364-3738 or 1(800) 421-7915; in the Norway-South Paris area, please contact the Norway CareerCenter at 743-7763.
This program is made possible through a special federal grant designed to offer high tech training to dislocated workers in the Rumford-Mexico area, but anyone interested in a career in metal products is encouraged to apply. For more information about the Machine Tool Technology Certificate contact the CMTC Admissions Office at 1-800 891-2002.
"Battlebot" Project in Southern Maine
An interview with Michael and Sarah Stanley
An interview with Michael and Sarah Stanley
MMPA is involved in a Business/Education project in Sanford with area organizations and business. The partners include Sanford/Springvale Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development, Pratt & Whitney and Sanford Regional Vocational Center.
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Sarah Stanley |
The purpose of the project is to build a Battlebot with the students at the Sanford RVC in Metal Trades/Machine Tool, Electronics and Drafting programs. Steve Abbadessa, an engineer with Pratt & Whitney in North Berwick, is donating his time and efforts to guide the students through the design, prototyping, development and building process. The Sanford students, Sarah and Michael Stanley, and Mr. Abbadessa meet every Wednesday after school to work on the project. The machine tool students, at the first meeting in January said, "We had to flip a quarter to see who was going to attend the first meeting!"
The following explores the vision of these extraordinary young people, how the project was started, and what they envision the project will become.
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Michael Stanley |
Michael: "I was watching Battlebot on TV. The more I watched, the more interested I was. Then I went to my dad and asked if there was a way we could do that (build a Battlebot)?" " Dad said yes and he would see what he could do."
What do you see as the benefit of this project?
Sarah: "This will get people more interested to try new things."
Michael: "I see this as a way to learn new experiences and exposure. It is good for the community."
< Why is this project important to Education?
Sarah: " It's important because you need to learn and it gives you something that is "hands on."
Michael: "It's important because it gets you interested in working with machines and you can see that there are good careers in technology."
Why is this project important for business?
Sarah: "It gets business involved in school activities and other activities in Sanford and in the state."
Michael: "It's a way to get business acknowledged and become involved by being a sponsor of a school project."
What do you see as the end result?
Sarah: "We will come out with something we worked hard on and it was fun! It will turn out great!"
Michael: "The end result will be the finished project (the Battlebot). It is something that will keep us focused and give us a feeling of accomplishment."
Who will benefit from this project?
Sarah handed this question to her older brother.
Michael: "The vocational school and students because they have an exciting project that is really fun and they can learn from. It's a great extracurricular activity."
What would you say to other girls about this project?
Sarah: " Don't be afraid to do something that a boy or man would do."
What would you say to other kids?
Michael: " This is something that everyone should do as a learning project. Get involved to keep your mind going!"
What is the ultimate result of this project?
Both: "Go to the International Robot Sparing Competition!"
These two young people are exceptional, articulate and very knowledgeable. The responses are direct quotes from Sarah and Michael.
MMPA is involved to support the Business/Education partnership and assist with fundraising and sponsorship. For more information: contact MMPA or Rick Stanley, Sanford/Springvale Chamber of Commerce at 324-4280, sancoc@psouth.net or www.sanfordchamber.org
Maine Metal Products
Association
Copyright © 2003 - 2004 MMPA, Inc.
All related marks, content, material and logos are trademarks of MMPA, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Copyright © 2003 - 2004 MMPA, Inc.
All related marks, content, material and logos are trademarks of MMPA, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.