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WELCOME!
Welcome to the "Manufacturing Matters" e-newsletter!
Please send company news to info@mainemfg.com. Enjoy!
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Media Watch
Last week MEGA Industry and the Manufacturers Association of Maine were featured on MPBN talking about jobs in manufacturing on Thursday Nov. 10th.
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The 2011 Annual Meeting
The Manufacturers Association of Maine held its 47th Annual Meeting on October 27, in Lewiston.
The Event Sponsor, Peoples United Bank, hosted a VIP session where keynote speaker Mr. F. Lee Bailey met with members of the MAMe board, and distinguished guests.
The evening started with a brief MAMe business meeting where the members approved an amendment of the by-laws to increase the number of board members to diversify its membership and ratified two new board members: Rodney “Beau” Mears, President of Northeast Laboratory Services and Jack Samson, Sr. Manager of Manufacturing at LL Bean.
The Keynote sponsor was Mid-State Machine for Mr. F. Lee Bailey. Mr. F. Lee Bailey engaged the crowd by sharing the experience of owning a manufacturing company and the CD2 concept of confidence, discipline and determination as three elements of doing business in Maine. Mr. Bailey ended his speech with two stories of cases he had worked on including Sam Sheppard, the physician who was accused of murdering his wife and Captain Ernest Medina for the My Lai Massacre. Mr. Bailey opened the floor for questions and said he would answer any questions that anyone asked. The question that everyone wanted to ask...
The evening ended with Comedian Bob Marley who always manages to create a gut-splitting show for us! The room was alive with laughter but on a serious note, Bob thanked the crowd for the hard work and good jobs the manufacturers supply in Maine.
Thank you to our VIP Event Sponsor Peoples United Bank, Keynote Sponsor Mid-State Machine, Champions of Manufacturing Sponsors: Manufacturers of Maine Group Trust, Newfab, Inc, WahlcoMetroflex, MEMIC, LL Bean, Mountain Machine Works, Southern Maine Industries, IDEXX and Mechanic Savings Bank, Table Sponsors: Pratt & Whitney
Baldacci Group/Wentworth, , Northeast Laboratory Services, Mountain Machine Works, University of Maine-Advanced Manufacturing Center, Bath Iron Works, Howie's Welding & Fabrication, Inc., D&G Machine, Anania & Associates (2), Northeast CNC and Saunders Electronics. The Network Sponsors: Albin, Randall & Bennet, Coastal Enterprises Inc., Constellation New Energy, Airtemp Inc.- Comfort Systems USA.
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F. Lee Bailey engages the audience with a powerful and meaningful speech.
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VIP Networking Hour - Chip Roche, Tom Happe, Dick Bolduc, Cheryl Bolduc, F. Lee Bailey and Lisa Martin. (from left to right)
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Comedian Bob Marley filling the venue with laughter.
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MAMe Manufacturing Marketing and Media Focus:
Last week in the media, MEGA Industries in Gorham and MAMe were featured on Maine Watch, MPBN on Thursday, Nov 10, 2011.
Maine Watch with Jennifer Rooks is Maine's only televised statewide public affairs program. It airs on MPBN Television Thursday evenings at 8:00 pm with rebroadcasts on Friday evenings at 9:00 pm and Sunday afternoons at 5:00 pm. An audio version of the program airs on MPBN Radio at 12:30 pm on Friday afternoons.
You can find the web link at www.mpbn.net/mainewatch
To find links to recent media events on manufacturing, go to http://mainemfg.com/Home
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What’s Happening at MAMe?
New Members: Please welcome our newest members to MAMe!
Sea Bags, Inc., Portland, ME
Beth Shissler, President.
Handmade Custom Tote Bags www.seabags.com
Pacios, Rausch & Chasse, LLC, P.A., Lewiston, ME
Daniel P. Chasse, Partner
CPA Services + Business Consulting
mainecpa.com
Howard Tool Company, Inc., Bangor, ME
Marty Arsenault, President
High Quality Craftsmanship of Precision Parts
www.howardtoolco.com
Thyssen Krupp Materials, NA, Boston, NY
Mike Cartechine
Stainless Steel and Aluminum Flat Rolls
www.thyssenkrupp.com
Corporate Finance Associates, Portland ME
Peter G. Moore
Investment Banking, mergers & aquisitions, growth capital
www.cfaw.com/portland
Solution Mates, Scarborough, ME
Phil Pastore, President
Health promoting, environ-friendly consumer items
www.solutionmates.com
The MAMe Business Services Division:
Business Growth Services (BGS) …. An important component of our association’s outreach to members is access to our network of BGS business consultants. They will not try to sell you pre-packaged training or products but will work with you to understand your business’s unique constraints. They will be your advocate in delivering integrated solutions to help you grow your business. MAMe Business Growth Services have been engaged recently to:
Ø Implement timely management reporting and costing updates resulting in one tool & die shop’s $70,000 per month loss turning into a $500,000 annual profit.
Ø Manage the ITAR certification for plating operations at Silvex to qualify for increased aerospace component business.
Ø Manage successful MTI seed grant applications for product development at the Montalvo & Soleras companies
Ø Project manage design & construction of a major production facility expansion to improve work flow at Specialty Products Co.
Ø Conduct time studies for cost standards at Vic Firth Manufacturing.
Make the most of your MAMe membership. I would encourage you to engage them as a growth resource for your companies. FMI call MAMe at 854-2153 or email info@mainemfg.com
Education and Training: Maine Industry Partnership Initiative/Sector Development:
The Manufacturers Roundtable for Education and Training: MAMe, in partnership with Maine DOL, is preparing the Maine’s Industry Partnership Initiative (MIPI) model that is data and demand-driven. The Manufacturers Roundtable and MAMe Education Committee will meet with the Governor's Admistration to roll out the MIPI and a statewide manufacturing marketing plan.
Ø Welding Training Consortium: Plans to assess the welding training needs of businesses is underway.
Ø RF/Electronics/Wireless Communication Consortium met on November 4, at Howell Labs in Bridgton to assess company needs and develop assessment tools to determine training.
Cluster/Sector Development: MAMe has been awarded a $50,000 Feasibility Study grant from MTI for the High Performance, Advanced Textile Manufacturing Industry. The project will focus on vertical integration, supply chain, business development, training and challenges of the industry.
Compliance Plus Program: MAMe will meet with the staff at DEP and Bureau of Labor Standards this month to begin implementing the Compliance Plus Program. The design team is ready to present the model of Compliance services to assist members on how to become and sustain compliance within the company. Training and direct assistance for members will be available soon.
Business Insurance Services: MAMe Paradigm Health Plan has rolled out the Paradigm Health Plan. We currently have several members signing up! We can also arrange for company meetings with Walker Winslow, Paradigm Health Consultants. If you want more information, please call us at 207-854-2153 or email info@mainemfg.com
Member Group Programs:
Legal Shield (formally Pre-Paid Legal Services) —We are pleased to introduce Mark Michaud, Legal Shield Account Representative. Mark will continue to provide MAMe members with Legal Shield programs and services. Welcome aboard Mark! If interested, please contact MAMe directly for referral.
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Members in the News
People's United Bank in Portland recently hired Patti Camelio as Senior Commercial Loan Officer, Senior Vice President in its commercial lending team.
Willis of Northern New England, Inc. is proud to announce that Judith M. Conley has been promoted to the position of Vice President, Client Advocacy, Human Capital Practice.
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Upcoming Events
MAMe 2011-2012 Tour/Seminar Season
Please check our calendar of events regularly for new events. All members are welcomed and encouraged to attend these events!
NOVEMBER
Nov 15th:MEAA Meet-n-Greet: Forming a true business and partnering to maximize business opportunities and jobs in Maine.
Time: 8:00AM-9:30AM Location: Fireside Inn & Suites, Auburn
Nov 17th: MAMe and JMQC Monthly Meeting Tour: Thomas Moser
Time: 4:00PM-7:00PM Location: Thomas Moser, Auburn
Nov 30th: Business Succession Planning Seminar: Sponsored by Albin, Randall & Bennett, HighTower, Hopkinson & Abbondanza and Corporate Finance Associates.
Time: 8:00AM-9:30AM Location: Cumberland Club, 116 High Street, Portland
________________________________________
DECEMBER
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Manufacturers Donate to Our Troops
Anania & Associates, a MAMe member, worked with Brian Pendleton, of Biovation to gather items to send to our troops in Afghanistan. Here’s what one solder had to say:
Kevin writes - "It was so cool man to have my troopies come in there and rip open boxes like kids at Christmas! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it man! These guys were really stoked and I couldn't have been more proud to explain where they came from! It was awesome man! You guys are the best!"
The Maine companies that contributed include:
Mega Industries, Lighthouse, Maine Cedar Log Homes, TrakTec, IMOS, Grow-Tech, mWAVE and Biovation. They received some nice items from Micucci Wholesale Foods, Sterling Rope, McCann Fabrication, Manufacturers Association of Maine/members, Coastal Forest Products, KMA Consulting, Bangor Savings Bank and several other outside individuals…
Thank you to all the members that donated to the troops!
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What's Happening in the MEAA?
By: Rich Grich, MEAA + Cluster Director
I attended a Marcum Cronus Forum in Hartford, CT on Nov. 2nd that presented International Opportunities: Global Partnerships and Offshore Operations.
Robert K. Quinn, Director, Partnership Programs, Pratt & Whitney, spoke on Enhancing Market Participation through Global Partnerships, and David A. Rugaber, Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Oberg Industries, spoke on the Opportunities and Challenges of Offshore Operations.
Save this Forum Date!
MEAA Business to Business Member Breakfast Forum, Nov. 15th, 8:00AM – 9:30AM, at the Fireside Inn & Suites, 1777 Washington Street in Auburn. The MEAA Steering Committee and Future of MEAA meeting members highly recommended we have such a forum. Topics to be discussed – Forming a true business alliance and partnering to maximize business opportunities and jobs in Maine. If you have need of partners bring your needs with you and partner with other members.
Canada
I met with the Executive Director of the Ontario Aerospace Council (OAC) that brings together over 200 Ontario aerospace companies. Ontario aerospace OEM’s and Tier 1 Systems Integrators have market-leading positions in several product and service niches including: Regional Turboprop Aircraft Integration, Business Jet Aircraft Integration, General Aviation Aircraft, Helicopters, UAV’s, Landing Gear Systems, Aircraft Structural Assemblies, Space Robotic Systems and Control/Avionics/Communication Systems and training simulators. OAC agreed to distribute our information and member capabilities among OAC members.
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Legislation Matters
"Current Legislative Information for the Industry"
NLRB Delays New Notice Posting Requirement
Information provided by Pretti Flaherty
On August 30, 2011, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) published a Final Rule imposing a new posting requirement on employers, intended to explicitly advise employees of certain rights under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), including the right to form, join or assist a labor union, to bargaining collectively through representatives, to engage in protected and concerted activities including striking and picketing in protest of employment conditions, as well as the right to refrain from engaging in such activities.
The Final Rule required that a 11x17 poster be put up conspicuously where other notifications of employee rights or personnel policies are posted for employees to view. The poster also advises employees of "unfair labor practices" under the law, or actions by an employer that are in violation of the law. These include maintaining or enforcing rules that unlawfully limit the employees' rights under the NLRA, interrogating employees regarding union support or activities, and retaliating or discriminating against employees for engaging in protected activities, among others.
Prior to this new rule, employers were required to post notices regarding employee rights only as a remedy in cases where the employer was found to have violated the NLRA or had voluntarily settled allegations of such violations.
Originally, this new posting requirement was set to go into effect on November 14, 2011. On October 5, however, the NLRB postponed until January 31, 2012 the effective date of this requirement.
Originally proposed by a divided NLRB in December 2010, it was published as a Final Rule in the August 30 Federal Register (76 Fed. Reg. 54,006). The Final Rule has drawn heavy criticism by business groups and at least three legal challenges. The NLRB's October 5 announcement said the effective date of the notice posting rule was being pushed back "to allow for enhanced education and outreach to employers, particularly those who operate small and medium sized businesses."
The NLRB's decision will allow federal judges in Washington, D.C., and South Carolina additional time to consider legal challenges to the rule. The National Association of Manufacturers and the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace have filed a challenge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (National Association of Manufacturers v. NLRB, D.D.C., No. 11-cv-1629, and the National Right to Work Legal Defense and Education Foundation and the National Federation of Independent Business have filed another legal challenge (National Right to Work Legal Defense & Education Foundation Inc. v. NLRB, D.D.C., No. 11-1683). After the NLRB postponed the Rule's effective date, Judge Amy Berman Jackson consolidated the two lawsuits and has scheduled a December 19 hearing on the parties' challenges. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce have filed a third lawsuit challenging the NLRB rule (Chamber of Commerce of the United States v. NLRB, D.S.C., No. 11-2516). The Court in that matter has not set a schedule for consideration of that case.
For employers, there will be no financial consequences for a failure to post, as the NLRB's enforcement powers do not include the imposition of fines. However, the NLRB has indicated that it may view a failure to post as interference with employee rights resulting in an order, that it may view failure to post as evidence of unlawful intent when investigating allegations of other unfair labor practices, and that it may consider tolling the NLRA's six-month statute of limitations with regard to other violations on the grounds that the affected employees were not made aware of their rights as required.
Questions?
Contact Matthew LaMourie at mlamourie@preti.com or 207.791.3000.
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Take control of your workers’ compensation insurance costs!
Since 1993, the Manufacturers of Maine Group Trust has returned 28% of insurance premiums to its members.
To learn more about how our aggressive safety and claims management programs can put you in control of your workers’ compensation costs, please contact Steven McKay at steve.mckay@willis.com or 1-800-698-3267 ext.1013
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MEAA TRAINING FUNDS AVAILABLE
There are MEAA training funds available! Contact our offices at (207) 854-2153 or clickhere to email us for more information.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
PLEASE CHECK OUR
FOR EXCITING
UPCOMING EVENTS!
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