WWTP Coverage

from MDNA 2022 Summer Edition

Locator Ser vices Member Bene t

A Huge Thank you from MDNA President Craig L. Ward, CEA

Well, I said I wanted this year’s WWTP to be huge, and it was exactly that. It was HUGE! We had the largest turnout for a WWTP in the history of the associa on. And based on a endee feedback, the event was a great blend of networking, educa on, socializing, and warehouse tours. This success would not have been possible without the support and par cipa on of the members who opened their warehouses, the sponsors, the Detroit Toledo Chapter Team, the presenters, and most importantly, the a endees. My purpose for this le er is twofold; first, I want to make sure that all those who missed this event know what all you missed so that even more will take advantage of the next event of this nature, but more on that later. The second reason for this le er is to personally thank all those responsible, so here we go! A Weekend With the Pros starts with a lot of hard work and planning on the ground by the local chapter and (I may be a li le biased here), but the Detroit/Toledo (my chapter) leadership team led by Nick Gibbs knocked it out of the park. They helped with every aspect, from picking the hotel to coming up with a last-minute fix to a bus supplier problem. Next, I want to take this space to thank each of our warehouse tour stops. Picture this you are asked to welcome over 200 visitors to your warehouse for a tour! Therefore, you must clean and render your facility safe for wandering folks, oh and we

ask that you provide food and beverages for this privilege. In the same order as this day unfolded, I would like to thank: Our breakfast stop was a three-for-one loca on because under one roof we visited Galaxie Corpora on, which deal in Tube & Pipe Mills, Sli ng Lines, Cut-to-Length Lines, Rolling Mills, Rollformers, and all other equipment associated with coil and steel sheet processing; Toledo Press Industries, who specialize in Presses & Press Room Equipment; and Stamping Support Group that specialize in servicing, removing, and installing stamping presses. This group put out a wonderful breakfast buffet with coffee and a few stronger morning beverages for those interested. Thank you to John and Hamilton Cauffiel and Andy Blakely Galaxie Corpora on, Toledo Press Industries, Stamping Support Group.

From our breakfast tours, we headed to the greater Toledo area or, as Terry Yoder put it, “to the home of the Holland boys,” and oh, how the Holland boys took care of us! The next stop was that of D&H Machinery. Many thanks to John Decator’s team, especially Jim Clark, who opened their facility to our roving band of machinery professionals. D&H is a full-service machinery company opera ng throughout the world. D&H Machinery. Our Lunch stop was at Yoder Brothers Machinery and to say they rolled out the red carpet is an understatement. We were treated to an amazing tour of their huge complex, followed by lunch where there was something for everyone, from salads to pizza and not to be forgo en, an ice cream truck provided dessert. All this under a huge tent, with live music. Everyone walked away in awe and extremely full. Many thanks to Ryan, Cory and Tim Yoder and the en re team at Yoder Brothers Machinery

And as wonderful as lunch was, we were only halfway done, so onto D & D Industries, where Dave and Diana Zerbey opened their doors to us. Everyone including myself were in awe of the large machinery delicately placed mere inches from one another. They needed to be adapted at that because, since 1994, D & D industries, Inc. has been a stocking dealer of Used Metalworking Equipment with over 1500 machines in stock which are stored in over 160,000 square feet of warehouse space. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Zerbey. D & D Industries

And last but in no way least, we arrived at Yoder Machinery. What a treat it was to be greeted by not only Terry and Cody Yoder but also the founders of Yoder Machinery Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Yoder. One was struck by the history, the size, and the warmth of this legendary player in our industry. Some of Terry’s toy collec on awaited true car lovers as we exited the buses (just a li le eye candy). We were all honored to be asked to sign a Yoder Machinery Flag as we entered the facility. And once inside, the ac on was everywhere. Some toured; first, some networked with the crowd, and all took advantage of the lovely recep on spread. Dinner consisted of an extravagant B.B.Q. Buffet with the works. Yoder Machinery Sales.

While at Yoder Machinery, Terry Yoder surprised the a endees with several raffled-off personal possessions, including one of his watches. This then led to the main event, the ADLSF raffle conducted by Fund President Kris ne Conroy and trustee Kim Khoury. All I can say about this is you have to play to win, and David Vali of Machinery Values is very lucky that he changed his mind and decided to buy a cket at the last minute.

I did not completely understand all the moving parts in an event like this un l I served as Seminars Chairman a few years back. Since then, I do not take for granted the efforts of First Vice President and Seminars Chairman Ed Krause and fund-raising Chairman MDNA Past President John Greene for their herculean efforts. Thank you. Our Seminars and educa on events were outstanding, star ng with the B.O.S.S. seminar on Thursday, and the Saturday seminars were chocked full of helpful informa on and even more networking. I was so impressed that the classroom on Saturday remained full of engaged members the en re day. To our presenters, I also say thank you, especially our own Ethics and Media on Commi ee, led by Chairman Feinstein. He put on one of the best Ethics programs that I can remember.

We could not have put on this elaborate event without the tremendous sponsorship support of so many wonderful companies. Here their logos are proudly displayed. If you a ended this event and enjoyed as so many of you have conveyed to me, reach out and thank a sponsor. And lastly, it is very important to me that I thank each and every a endee. You truly made this event great. You took the me and spent your money to join us at this year’s WWTP, and you made it the biggest and best one yet, and for that, I am truly grateful. Now on to the next big thing. Let’s meet, network, and make money together at the Chicago IMTS Chapter event on Monday, September 12, 2022. Canceled two years ago due to COVID this is always a huge networking event. Members from around the world converge in Chicago for the IMTS show and our Chicago Chapter recep on and dinner. If you value the networking opportuni es that this the WWTP and the Chicago Chapter Events offer, I will see you there. Register online at www.mdna.org