Regional Spring Association Report

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CASMI Report

By Michael Bandy, CASMI, Co-Executive Director

SpringWorld 2022 Kickoff Dinner

CASMI Hosts Golf Event at Bridges of Poplar Creek

The Chicago Association of Spring Manufacturers, Inc. (CASMI) invites all CASMI members, SpringWorld 2022 exhibitors and suppliers who are considering exhibiting 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, to be held Oct.12-14 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, 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 it gives leaders the skills to manage and help their teams improvise, adapt and innovate in an ever-changing world. Details and registration for this event are available on the CASMI website, www.casmi-springworld.org.

Upcoming CASMI Events

CASMI has the following events scheduled for the remainder of 2021. Details will be available on the organization’s website before each event. • SpringWorld Kick-off Dinner,

Oct. 21, 2021, Maggiano’s,

Schaumburg, Illinois • Membership Dinner Meeting,

Nov. 11, 2021, Cooper’s Hawk,

Orland Park, Illinois • Annual Holiday Party, Dec. 9, 2021,

Cooper’s Hawk, Arlington Heights,

Illinois

CASMI hosted its 2021 Golf Outing June 16 at Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club, Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

It was a beautiful day as nearly 100 CASMI members and SpringWorld exhibitors took part in the 18-hole, best-ball tournament and dinner. The event included lunch for golfers, and the tournament was followed by a reception, dinner and the presentation of awards. Awards were presented for the first and second place teams in two divisions (four total), as well as closest to the pin, longest putt and longest drive.

Additionally, three “wine and beer” gift baskets were raffled off as door prizes.

CASMI designated charity support to Chicago Veterans, a nonprofit community of military veterans who share a common passion for helping fellow veterans, whether it is veteran homelessness, PTSD awareness, trauma, benefits or camaraderie building. Participants contributed $1,145 for the day to support this worthwhile cause.

CASMI’s 2022 Annual Golf Outing will be held Thursday, June 16, returning to Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club.

NESMA Midyear Update

By Lucas Karabin, Acme Monaco

The New England Spring and Metalstamping Association (NESMA) has been working to ensure the transition from dormant areas of our organization to live events. Although last year we did have a few in-person events, we had hoped to resume these with our Aug. 23 golf outing. Due to heavy rains from tropical storm Henri, the golf outing was postponed and will now be held Tuesday, Oct. 5. It is presently expected to draw many new sponsors who have some wind at their back, as all companies report strong order backlogs. The golf event is at Chippannee Country Club in Bristol, Connecticut. Our next major event is our annual Holiday Party at the DoubleTree in Bristol Dec. 2, 2021.

This past spring, we awarded our annual scholarships to Erin Klum, a recent graduate of Southington High, and Alyssa Lavoie, currently enrolled at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. We are proud to award scholarships and make them available to children or grandchildren of member companies. Each student will receive $1,010.00.

A technical seminar on “R&D Tax Credits” was provided by Marcum Accountants and Advisors. Ted Lucas,

Former wood shop converted to Manufacturing, Engineering & Technology (MET) Academy at New Britain (Connecticut) High School.

NESMA Technical Development Committee tours the high school facilities of the MET Academy at New Britain High School.

board member and treasurer, introduced guest speaker Bill Kuhlman via Zoom. Kuhlman explained the fine details of the R&D tax credits and practices manufacturers can follow to take advantage of such programs. If you have questions regarding the services provided by Marcum to claim R&D tax credits, email William.Kuhlman@marcumllp.com.

NESMA has held on to voting rights on the Connecticut Manufacturing Collaborative. This is made up of the leading manufacturing groups representing various industries such as tooling, aerospace, small manufacturers and springmakers. This intense group provides direct communication to the governor’s office and state senate. Money being spent to help develop our schools manufacturing programs, tax policy and social issues are at the heart of the group’s decision making. One example was a recent awarding of $34 million toward Connecticut Technical High School and The Manufacturing

Innovation Fund planned over a two-year period. The Manufacturing Innovation Fund has also recently secured $10 million a year, committed for the next two years.

The NESMA technical committee is presently forming classes in partnership with Naugatuck Community College. Classes have not happened since the fall of 2019 due to the inability to gather for night classes. These 30-hour courses immerse students in springmaking technology and are ideal for apprentices. State funds will likely be made available to offset some of the class expense, with hours counting toward a registered apprentice’s time.

The technical committee regularly meets with local community colleges and high school leaders spearheading technology education programs. New Britain High School recently teamed up with the nonprofit Community Foundation of Greater New Britain. They raised over $600,000, mostly from local manufacturers for their Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Academy (MET). This money was stretched a long way to buy new milling machines, Bridgeport machines, 3D printers, lathes, surface grinders, computers and a total overhaul of the dusty classrooms to reflect a modern manufacturing environment. They have also hired a local consultant to place students of the New Britain MET with manufacturers seeking apprentices. We look forward to students getting back to normal and the opportunity to take full advantage of this program that is designed to help future generations.

For more information about NESMA, visit www.nesma-usa.com. n