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MMPA NEWSLETTER - October 2003
Read our previous issues:
U.S. Secretary of Commerce
Tours D&G Machine
Tours D&G Machine
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans visited D&G Machine in Westbrook on Friday, September 5th. Secretary Evans was in Maine to showcase the Bush administrations' recent announcement of a new federal manufacturing czar position, which should help streamline processes across departments involved with manufacturing in the US and with federal government contracts.
Invited tour guests included: Peter Cianchette of Cianchette Hunscher LLC; Peter Monaghan, Regional Sales Manager of the NE Region for Cincinnati Machine; Chip Storie, Vice President of Global Aerospace Sales for Cincinnati Machine; Charlie Tarling, Plant Manager for D&G Machine; Steve Sullivan, Vice President Sales Engineer for D&G Machine and Lisa G. Martin and Laurie Cook of MMPA.
Secretary Evans met with a group of employees at D&G Machine to ask what message he can take back to President Bush regarding the issues of manufacturing. Some of the issues included overseas competition with low wages and lower costs of doing business. Sec. Evans asked for solutions from the employees and then invited Duane Gushee to Washington to present a strategic plan of real solutions that could be used as a model on how to give small businesses a "level playing field". MMPA will keep MMPA members posted as this exciting strategy unfolds.
Letter from the President
We've opened up the MMPA tour season with a great tour of the BIW Harding Facility! Thanks to ASQ, our MMPA partner, for the opportunity! In a few days, the MMPA 39th Annual Meeting will occur. Our first "Prospect Business Event" will draw members, looking for work opportunities.
MMPA has partnered with an economic development entity that works with European companies seeking US partners. We hosted the first presentation on Sept 9th with the Board of Directors. We anticipate several more presentations and will advertise the meetings so you can plan to join us. MMPA is working to establish the association to be strongly aligned with prospect business activities.
In the past few weeks, MMPA has sent out a member benefit survey. The association really would like to know what you think about member benefit programs that can help save money for your company and provide a good service to you and your employees. We have received only 15% return from our members. Please take a moment to send it back.
I cannot believe a year has passed since I was handed the MMPA gavel. During this time, MMPA has met with the Governor and commissioners, held a board retreat and has focused on bringing work to our association members, added several member-benefit programs and added new members. Of course, we have done a lot more, but in the year to come, MMPA will broaden our mission to work with the Maine manufacturing community in a strategic and coordinated effort.
Once again, MMPA is our investment for now and the future. Talk to one of your vendors or customers and ask if they are a member. If not, convince them to join MMPA.
Happy harvest season!
Bob King
MMPA Board President
MMPA Member Company Profile
The Howard P. Fairfield , Inc.
Member Since 1988
"The Municipal Specialists"
The Howard P. Fairfield , Inc.
Member Since 1988
"The Municipal Specialists"
The Howard P. Fairfield , Inc. company is northern New England's largest and most extensive distributor of municipal snow removal equipment. 
From single one ton units, to fleet purchase of hundreds of snow fighters, "The Municipal Specialists" have the experience to help you with all of your winter equipment needs. 
Browse their site, or request specific information on their response form for any special requirements or applications you may have. Let them put their extensive network of municipal services to work for you!Contact in Maine:
PO Box 188 * 9 Green St
Skowhegan, Maine 04976
Phone: 207-474-9836
Toll Free: 800-356-2813
Fax: 207-474-6526
Web: www.hpfairfield.com
PO Box 188 * 9 Green St
Skowhegan, Maine 04976
Phone: 207-474-9836
Toll Free: 800-356-2813
Fax: 207-474-6526
Web: www.hpfairfield.com
MMPA Resource Page
Job Seeker's Corner This month MMPA has 6 job opening on our website. For job details, contact information, and an uo-to-date selection, see our job posting board at www.maine-metals.org/jobpost.html TO EMPLOYERS: E-mail jobs to post on-line on the MMPA website to fill any open positions within your company !! Welcome Corner
MMPA would like to welcome the following new member to the association: Primary Steel 94 Auburn Street, Suite 22 Portland, ME 04103 phone: 207-797-8118 fax: 207-797-0187 e-mail: whales4fun2000@yahoo.com website: www.primarysteel.com contact: Mal Mango MMPA Partners
KINGSWOOD LEASING If you have an interest in equipment leasing or refinance options call MMPA for a referral. Check them out at: www.kingswoodleasing.com Cliff A. Metcalfe Jr. President MESCA - SHIPPERS COOPERATIVE Call MMPA for a member referral for all your shipping, freight and transportation needs. |
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MMPA Tours BIW Harding Facility
MMPA members and staff, along with members of ASQ, toured the BIW Harding Facility on September 18. A crowd of about 30 joined Bill Stafford III, Mechanical Engineer, for an hour-long tour. BIW was proud to showcase their efforts to implement LEAN manufacturing. It is not always an easy task to bring about change in the workplace, but BIW walked us through the process. They are in various steps of the implementation and have shown great improvements in the manufacturing process, including cost savings!
After a pleasant meal at the New Meadows Inn, Bill Stafford presented information on the LEAN process. Some of the questions asked during the presentation focused on how employees embraced the changes and implementation. BIW responded that, as in any workplace, there are those that are willing and those that will never want to participate. It was true in this case but it takes time. Lessons learned and cost savings were conveyed as were some before and after pictures of the facility.
A big thank you to BIW Harding Facility and ASQ for this great tour!
Tax Tips For Employers
If you are not already familiar with the following two IRS publications, you might learn new information to save money next time your taxes are due.
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IRS Publication 954,
Tax Incentives for Empowerment Zones and Other Distressed
Communities
…designed to inform business owners of whether they qualify for certain tax
incentives intended to help empowerment zones, enterprise communities, renewal communities, and other distressed communities. (A distressed community is any area whose poverty rate or other conditions cause any of these tax incentives to apply.)
- IRS Publication 15-B, Employer's Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits …that includes an exclusion from employees' wages of up to $5,250 of educational assistance provided under an educational assistance program.
Pratt & Whitney Announces
Program with DEP & EPA
Program with DEP & EPA
Pratt & Whitney is proud to announce that we are joining the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. EPA in offering free training for businesses who would like to develop an Environmental Management System. Pratt & Whitney will host an Environmental Management System (EMS) Roundtable at our North Berwick, Maine facility. This project, similar to projects conducted by the Strategic Goals Program in Southern California, is designed to encourage and assist small businesses who want to develop an EMS for their facility. The project will kick off on Wednesday, October 15, 2003, with a three-hour session on the basics of an EMS. After the initial session, facilities that chose to participate in the project will meet on monthly basis for six months to work on different aspects of an EMS, with training and guidance provided by Capaccio Environmental Engineering and Maine DEP staff. The goal of the program is to have all of the pieces of an EMS in place at the end of the training sessions.
An Environmental Management System provides a structured approach for managing environmental and regulatory responsibilities. The U.S. EPA has found businesses that develop an EMS are more competitive and have fewer compliance problems. Pratt & Whitney would like to encourage all companies to take advantage of this valuable training that is offered free of charge. Please join us on October 15 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM to learn how an EMS can reduce your impact on the environment and increase your bottom line. For more information or to register for this free workshop contact: Linda Darveau, US EPA, at (617) 918-1718 or Darveau.Linda@epa.gov
3D Printing Technology is here !
The New England Rapid Prototyping Center at Central Maine Community College has state-of-the-art technology to build 3-dimensional models and prototypes. Besides working with businesses to build prototypes, the College also provides training in CAD and Rapid Prototyping.
To learn more, attend a free seminar on October 16th at 2pm. Contact Michelle Lefebvre at 755-5256 or email 3dprinting@cmcc.edu to RSVP.
Visit www.cmcc.edu/3dprinting for more information.
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.