Regional Spring Association Report

NESMA Update

By Lucas Karabin, Acme Monaco As we entered 2021, it seems we were ready for some changes, not all of them being virtual. Rollouts for COVID-19 vaccine shots kept us guessing, but the vaccination efforts have been nothing short of remarkable. I had my second shot in late April and I have to tip my hat to our National Guard, law enforcement and health care workers, whose performance makes us proud. Despite many, if not all of us being fully vaccinated, our NESMA board is presently maintaining our virtual meetings. Though convenient, we do miss our breakfast gatherings and look forward to meeting again in person.

Event Committee

This year, NESMA has leaned into the virtual environment with our 2021 Seminar Series. Board member and FENN Torin president Ryan Cutter agreed to participate with the professional help of Jessica Morgan, the company’s marketing coordinator. The webinar featured team members from FENN Torin giving a smooth introduction to their catalog of impressive equipment. Thank you to those among our turnout of 50 plus registrations. We were excited that members from outside New England registered, demonstrating the mass appeal.

We are doing our best to keep the fires burning in this category with new member Markum LLP presenting “Research and Tax Development Tax Credit.” This event was scheduled for May 5 and was hosted by board member Ted Lucas, CPA and his colleague William Kuhlman, CPA.

We hope to keep the events coming, delivering a value to our members both in terms of education and capacity, to reach our membership in an unintimidating manner. If you have an event you

FENN Torin sponsored one of many NESMA 2021 seminars.

would like to present to NESMA, you are encouraged to reach out to our events committee chairperson Bob Swanson, president of United Wire.

We will be meeting in person for our annual Golf Tournament at Chippanee Country Club in Bristol, Connecticut Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. Last year we had a great turnout and the support was overwhelming. You can register for the tournament on our website, www.nesmausa.com. We will close out the year with our annual Holiday Party at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bristol Dec. 2. Discounted rooms can be reserved by registration code; details to follow on our website.

Legislative Front

Our new board member Allen Nadeau of Southington Tool & Mfg. Corp stoically volunteered to represent NESMA in the recently formed Connecticut Manufacturing Collaborative. This is an organization intended to tie in multiple manufacturers’ trade groups with direct communication to the governor’s office, high schools and colleges, Department of Economic Community Development, and the general assembly. Time is spent on multiple fronts defending businesses from unpopular legislation like a truck tax, and to provide a voice for workforce needs. The cost to maintain the lobbyist for the group is under pressure, and like any byproduct of dealing with the government legislative efforts, it is not a passive effort. This group will face challenges as underfunded organizations reboot from 2020.

Technical Committee

Our Technical Development Committee continues to focus on recruitment efforts through the promotion of our website’s “Apprenticeship Connections.” This link allows a potential candidate, interested in exploring a career in manufacturing, with the first chance to get their name out to participating members. Our efforts haven’t been helped by COVID restrictions, but ideally the students will be able to visit multiple companies and perhaps start working before they finish school. We are reaching out to area high schools and technical schools in an attempt to position ourselves as a viable option. continued on next page

CASMI Report

By Michael Bandy, CASMI, Co-Executive Director

IP Automation Hosts CASMI Plant Tour

Nearly 20 CASMI members and industry professionals attended the CASMI Plant Tour Thursday, May 6, at IP Automation Inc. in Downers Grove, Illinois. The event featured presentations, a tour, equipment demonstrations and lunch.

During the plant tour and demonstration, IP Automation demonstrated the latest CNC wireformers, which include the i6-SC, a 4-axis compact wire bender, the i13-S, 13mm 3D wire bender and the i8-D, dual head 18 axis CNC wire bender. IP Automation also demonstrated the latest Fanuc robots as well as the Fanuc CRX series of collaborative robots.

IP Automation’s founders and upper management team have extensive experience and knowledge in the CNC wireforming and automation industry. The company was founded to help solve the manufacturing challenges in the wireforming industry. IP Automation is one of the very few companies that can handle processes from raw material to finished parts to packing in shippable containers with the most precise and streamlined processes. IP Automation has used their “out- of-the-box” approach and thinking to help customers grow their bottom line and add value to their business.

continued from previous page

Students are critical to our talent pool, and we realize starting students is benefit to everyone involved and may reduce their hours in pursuit of apprenticeship.

We plan to have a spring and fourslide set up class in the fall. It might be under a different curriculum than previous classes. Spring or fourslide equipment found at schools is sparse and generally mechanical. Newer spring and fourslide equipment is needed to attract next generation talent at schools. Tunxis Community College in Farmington, Connecticut is opening a new manufacturing site in 2022 and is actively seeking equipment donations. To donate, contact Mary Bidwell at MBidwell@acc. commnet.edu.

As we reopen, we know there are many challenges ahead of us, but also many behind us. Please make sure you’re subscribed to our NESMA newsletter by contacting Dee Babkirk at d.babkirk@ nesma-usa.com and be sure to like our events on our LinkedIn page at www. linkedin.com/company/nesma-usa.

SpringWorld Kick-off Dinner Scheduled for October

All CASMI members, SpringWorld 2022 exhibitors and suppliers who are potential exhibitors are invited to attend the SpringWorld 2022 Kick-off Dinner Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021, at Maggiano’s in Schaumburg, Illinois. The event will feature an update on the 2022 SpringWorld trade show, the opportunity to secure exhibit space, network with industry colleagues, and a dynamic speaker.

Avish Parashar will present “Ding Happens!” This presentation provides attendees the tools and motivation to embrace change, rather than fear and resist it, and gives leaders the skills to manage and help their teams improvise, adapt and innovate in an ever-changing world.

After being canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SpringWorld 2022 has been rescheduled so that it will not conflict with Yom Kippur. According to CASMI president Tony Pesaresi, the event, which was scheduled to take place Oct. 5–7, 2022, will now take place Oct. 12–14, 2022 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.

According to Pesaresi, “SpringWorld taking place during Yom Kippur could have a negative impact on the event in terms of exhibiting company participation and attendance. CASMI strives to provide the best possible business atmosphere for buyers and suppliers at SpringWorld. Therefore, we decided to move the show to the second week in October.” SpringWorld is renowned for bringing springrelated businesspeople together. In 2018, nearly 2,200 attendees and exhibitors from around the world participated. The event is conveniently located at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, just five minutes from O’Hare International Airport. Attendance is free and is limited to spring, stamping, fastener and wireform manufacturers and OEMs.

For more information about exhibiting or attending, please visit www.casmispringworld.org or call the CASMI office at 630-359-4273.

Wong Delivers Valuable Presentation at Live Membership Meeting Baseball Event Scheduled for August

Mike Wong, partner, SmithAmundsen’s Labor & Employment Practice Group, presented the 2021 CASMI Legal Update March 16 to a live CASMI audience during a membership dinner meeting.

Wong advises clients regarding their day-to-day employee issues, employee handbooks, policies and procedures and represents clients in lawsuits, charges of discrimination and administrative matters involving discrimination and harassment, Title VII, ADA disability issues, FMLA administration and claims, wage and hour issues, class actions, cannabis in the workplace, and other labor and employment issues.

During the meeting, he addressed a variety of topics, including: • 2021 – Consolidated Appropriations Act and PPP Loans • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and State

Covid-19 Updates • American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and FFCRA • Vaccinations Oh My! • Workers’ compensation • SB 1480 –Changes to IHR Are:

Convictions and Equal Pay Act • BIPA • Minimum Wage Reminder

Members can access the presentation handouts on the CASMI website under the section: “Member Central, Presentation Resources.” CASMI will host its third installment of “An Evening at the Ballpark” at Impact Field, Rosemont, Illinois, the home of the Chicago Dogs, a team of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball (AAIPB). The AAIPB is the largest and most successful independent minor league baseball league in the United States. The event will take place Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021.

Successfully launched in 2018 (unfortunately the 2020 event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic), this event has consistently delivered a great opportunity for all CASMI members to network while enjoying a baseball game. The event includes your game ticket, networking, seating, food and beverage.

According to CASMI president Tony Pesaresi, “This has been an extremely popular event and we look forward to its return in 2021. It’s great to be scheduling live programs again, and we look forward to hostingthis eventfor our members this August.”

Details and registration are available at https:// www.casmi-springworld.org/event/ballpark21. n

FIVES, A LEADER IN SPRING GRINDING ABRASIVE TECHNOLOGY

GARDNER ABRASIVES:

— Custom engineered — Consistent manufacturing process — Higher speeds & stock removal rates — Advanced bond technology — Over 110 years of abrasive expertise

Visit us at the smi metal engineering expo Booth 619

www.fivesgroup.com

— Cutting Tools | Abrasives E: cuttingtools.abrasives@fivesgroup.com - Concord Twp., Ohio - South Beloit, Illinois - USA