ANNUAL REPORT 2020-2021
CONTENTS FROM THE CHAIR
WHO WE ARE
MEMBERSHIP
FINANCIALS
ACCOMPLISHING OUR GOALS
A Message From Our Executive Director The 2020-2021 Fiscal Year was a year of overcoming challenges. Like everyone else, the status quo was completely disrupted. We had to figure out how to accomplish our mission with our hands tied behind our backs…while blindfolded. As an organization, we utilized the resources available to us within the parameters allowed to continue our mission. With the support of our manufacturing community, I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish and the ways we were able to help manufacturers stay strong amidst seemingly insurmountable challenges that just kept coming. It was encouraging to see how our membership came together, utilizing the SVAM network, to both learn from and strengthen one another. SVAM members got through it together and it was a joy to see. We continued to show the community that manufacturing is alive and well through the utilization of our digital platforms. We got creative. We thought outside of the box. As a supporter of SVAM, I hope you will be as proud as we are of what we were able to achieve. - Lennie Gail Mitcham, Executive Director, SVAM
FROM THE CHAIR This is my first letter for the Annual Report, having accepted the chairman role as of September 2020. I want to first thank and recognize Alex Lupi for the excellent job he did as our former chairman.
To say this past year was challenging and ever changing would be an understatement. It is undoubtedly one of the most difficult years any of us and any industry has faced in quite some time. We have all learned that we are stronger and more resilient than we imagined having to adapt and change to keep our businesses going and our people safe. I am proud to say that The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing adapted and persevered as well.
In the face of these challenges and changes, what remains, and is even stronger today, is the fact that SVAM remains a manufacturers-driven organization with a strong, dedicated board, a talented, hard working small staff, and broad-based support across the region’s manufacturing community. SVAM did not allow the challenges surrounding COVID-19 to stop our efforts, instead we took the position to find creative and alternative ways to continue to serve our members. You’ll see various ways throughout this report that SVAM utilized virtual platforms to continue our mission and support Southwest Virginia manufacturers. To fulfill our goal of improving the image of manufacturing, SVAM focused on virtual platforms to spread the message that manufacturing is alive and well in our region, utilizing platforms like Zoom, podcasting, and social media to reach thousands of individuals. With the uncertainty that an unprecedented pandemic brought came a great need for our membership to be able to connect with one another, share ideas and ways that they were reacting to challenges and changing regulations. SVAM met this need by providing such opportunities on a regular basis and keeping our membership connected.
Today we see the economy picking up as we come out of this pandemic. Some organizations now face record demand and new challenges with supply chain disruptions, transportation issues, and labor shortages. It is a time of great opportunity that I believe we in Southwest Virginia will be able to benefit from. SVAM is also ready to support our members through this challenging time and help you all be successful.
I want to sincerely thank our board members for volunteering their time and abilities, our Executive Director, Lennie Gail Mitcham, and our Program Assistant, Mandy Rust-Barker, for staying positive, hopeful, being flexible, and working very hard. I also thank our community partners for your continued support throughout the year.
I thank you all for your support, and I look forward to this year as we rebound together.
Sincerely, Alan Freeman Global Safety Manager, Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials
1
WHO WE ARE Mission Statement: Supporting the sustainment and advancement of manufacturing in Southwest Virginia through regional collaboration, improving the image of manufacturing, and closing the skills gap.
Our History
About Us
The Southwest Virginia Alliance for
The Southwest Virginia Alliance for
Manufacturing, Inc. (SVAM) began as a joint
Manufacturing, Inc. is a manufacturing-led
effort between the Smyth-Washington County
501(c)(3), non-profit organization focused on
Industrial Facilities Authority (SWIFA) and local
supporting the sustainment and advancement
manufacturers. As part of discussions among
of manufacturing in Southwest Virginia. Our
the group, the lack of organized participation by
vision is to unite the region’s manufacturers to
manufacturing employers in the development of
strengthen our position as a world-leading
facilities and the workforce was identified as a
region of advanced manufacturing
“gap in service” that should be addressed. As a
opportunities. SVAM’s initiatives are created
result of the discussions, a core group of
with the intention of meeting its three goals:
interested employers were identified and began to meet to explore the possibility of a formally-
Goal 1: Establish and promote regional
structured organization. In 2003, through a
collaboration in support of manufacturing and
Planning Grant, the group conducted a Workforce
its careers as part of an educational and
Demand Study, identifying deficiencies in the
economic development initiative.
area’s workforce. During this time frame, the core group of employers became known as the
Goal 2: Redefine the image of manufacturing
“Southwest Virginia Association of
with young people, their parents, their educators,
Manufacturers”. As this group grew and
the community, and policy makers in a manner
strengthened, its members saw the need to
that increases the number of young adults and
develop their own legal entity. In 2007, The
other members of the workforce who pursue
Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing
manufacturing-based careers.
became incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Since its establishment, the
Goal 3: Close the skills gap for regional
organization has seen tremendous growth and
manufacturers by aligning educational and
has made many positive impacts to strengthen
workforce training resources with the most
manufacturing across Southwest Virginia.
pressing demands of area industry.
2
Board of Directors Officers of the Board Chair: Alan Freeman Global Safety Manager
Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials
Vice Chair: Gene Chumley Director, Virginia Operations
Strongwell
Treasurer: Eric Miller President and Owner
Wolf Hills Fabricators, LLC
Secretary: Steve Barrett Color and Compounding Manager
Universal Fibers, Inc
“Maker’s Row said it best in their mission statement, ‘Manufacturing is our history, our roots, and our future.’ Growing up in a family business, this statement is very personal to me.
Board Members Melinda Roberts
Manufacturing IS my
history, IS my roots. I serve on the SVAM Board to help mold the future of manufacturing in Southwest Virginia.” - Kelly DeBusk, Compliance Manager, Appalachian Plastics, Inc.
Human Resources Manager
Scholle IPN Packaging, Inc.
"I serve on the SVAM Board of Directors as Scholle IPN's representative Dedra Helbert
to help promote continuous improvement in manufacturing. SVAM
General Manager
provides recruitment, training opportunities, and many other
Human Resources and General Affairs
Tadano Mantis Corporation
resources to industry, with lots of networking opportunities available. It’s a pleasure working with the SVAM board to help advance the
Fred Vermeer
growth of manufacturing. Great folks, great organization." - Melinda
President and CEO
Roberts, Human Resources Manager, Scholle IPN Packaging, Inc.
Hapco Pole Products
Alex Lupi Director of Operations
Tempur Production USA, LLC
“I fully support SVAM’s goals of promoting regional collaboration in manufacturing, improving the image of the manufacturing sector, and closing the skills gap. I believe that every manufacturer should give back to the community, and being a SVAM board member allows
Jeff Dunnack General Manager of Supply Chain Management
Somic America
me to share my knowledge and experience and to help advance the existing programs and develop new initiatives. The board members and the Staff are a great group of people, and I have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge, networking contacts, and best
Stacy Street Human Resources Specialist
practices from working with them.“ - Alex Lupi, Director of Operations, Tempur Production USA, LLC
Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company
Kelly Debusk Compliance Manager
Appalachian Plastics
Larry Wyatt Plant Manager
Innovative Millwork Technologies, LLC
“I serve on the SVAM board to connect with other businesses and share our ideas and suggestions to grow manufacturing careers in our region. SVAM is an excellent platform to work with area manufacturers to help educate our youth on opportunities manufacturing has to offer and allow them to have a rewarding career and continue to live in Southwest VA.” - Larry Wyatt, Plant Manager, Innovative Millwork Technologies, LLC
3
MEMBERSHIP As a membership-driven organization, we spend the majority of our efforts in service to our member companies. Manufacturing members see SVAM as a beneficial way to connect to other manufacturers and to impact the community’s perception of what careers in manufacturing look like today. Our non-manufacturing members play an important role in SVAM’s availability to connect manufacturers with the resources available to them across the region. While members remain a priority, it is also SVAM’s intent to provide services that support the manufacturing population across the region as a whole.
Member Testimonial "Tadano Mantis Corporation (TMC) has been a member of SVAM for several years, and each year we have been able to utilize the many different
Member Exclusive Benefits Member-Exclusive Trainings Access to Resources/Connections Networking Opportunities Job Openings Promotion Company Promotion/Marketing Peer Groups Recognition Opportunities for Employees Discounts with Partnering Organizations As always, SVAM is ready and able to respond to the needs of individual member companies as
40%
they arise.
Of SWVA manufacturing employment population is represented through SVAM membership.
services that SVAM has for its members. SVAM promotes and supports member collaboration and offers multiple opportunities to network with others in manufacturing. With the recent training classes offered through SVAM for its membership, TMC was able to offer more employees opportunities to participate in personal and professional development sessions. SVAM is member focused and is continuously seeking ways to support its members through legislative roundtable sessions as well as educating the communities about all that manufacturers have to offer for individuals who are in manufacturing or considering a career in manufacturing. SVAM has established peer group break-out sessions for HR and EHS professionals of member groups allowing members to share challenges and best practices and is currently evaluating the need/interest for other peer groups. SVAM leadership is always exploring different options to bring added value to its member groups. For folks in manufacturing, if you are not a member, I encourage you to make the connection - you'll be glad you did!" - Dedra Helbert, General Manager Human Resources & General Affairs, Tadano Mantis Corporation
4
FINANCIALS
20% increase
Financial Highlights
in manufacturing membership this fiscal year
We are committed to sharing not only our program success stories with you, but our financial information as well. The numbers below are unaudited.
Funds Revenue and Expenses (2020-2021) Generated Revenue
Expenses
5
ACCOMPLISHING OUR GOALS Services for Manufacturers SVAM Member Peer-to-Peer Virtual Meetings These groups are made up of professionals within SVAM member companies who meet for networking and to discuss challenges and best practices.
Input Sessions In an effort to ensure SVAM understands the needs of our membership, ensuring our programs remain relevant, we provided the opportunity for members to discuss their needs during a series of Member Input Sessions which were open to all member companies.
Free Trainings for Members SVAM offered free virtual trainings for its membership. Members also have the option of watching the replay of
360
these training videos online at their convenience.
participants took advantage of FREE trainings Job Openings Promotion & Job Fairs Filling job openings is well known as a critical challenge for manufacturers right now. Along with marketing job openings for SVAM member companies digitally, SVAM participated in and helped organize several job fairs this year.
Preferred Vendors Report We gathered a list of vendors in forty-nine categories that SVAM member companies would recommend to one another. The information was compiled and shared with SVAM members.
6
Improving the Image
Podcast Launch In 2020, SVAM launched our Made In SWVA podcast! This podcast is a way for us to share all things manufacturing and educate the community, in an engaging way, about the incredible things happening in manufacturing in their own backyards.
293
downloads of 8 podcasts Opportunities in Manufacturing Virtual Presentations and Videos Publication Each spring SVAM visits with career and technical education centers in Southwest Virginia to talk to students about opportunities in manufacturing. This year we set up virtual presentations via Zoom and also made a helpful playlist of videos for students and educators to access.
New Website and Logo Launch This spring SVAM launched our brand new, revamped website and logo. The new site is full of resources, news, and membership information. It also includes career opportunities from our member companies.
179,804 Facebook reaches promoting manufacturing and its career opportunities in SWVA
7
Eighth Annual Manufacturing Awards Each year, in celebration of National Manufacturing Month (October), SVAM seeks to highlight the significant accomplishments of our region’s manufacturing companies. The main way we do this is by recognizing the achievements of Southwest Virginia manufacturers through the presentation of awards. SVAM’s eighth annual Manufacturing Awards was held online due to COVID-19 restrictions. SVAM presented winners with their awards via Zoom throughout October and November. The winners gave a presentation about their companies and projects for which they were being recognized. Available presentations can be viewed on SVAM’s YouTube channel.
2020 Award Winners Environmental Excellence Award: Hapco Concord American Flagpole of Abingdon, VA Innovations in Manufacturing Award: Wolf Hills Fabricators, LLC of Abingdon, VA Excellence in Safety Award: Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company of Glade Spring, VA Manufacturer of the Year Award: West River Conveyors and Machinery of Oakwood, VA Community Choice Award: Tempur Sealy of Duffield, VA
Outstanding Woman in Manufacturing Award Each year SVAM accepts nominations for its Outstanding Woman in Manufacturing Award. The nominees are scored by a panel of judges based on impact on both their company and their fellow employees. Through the Outstanding Women in Manufacturing program, many amazing women have been recognized for their contributions to the world of manufacturing in Southwest Virginia.
2021 Winner “I am truly honored to be recognized by SVAM as the 2021 Outstanding
Caroline Rich, Quality Manager, Hollingsworth and Vose Company
Woman in Manufacturing. Contributions from strong and capable women are integral to the success of the manufacturing industry and I am proud to be included in such an accomplished group of honorees from our area. I want to thank the team at Hollingsworth & Vose for providing me opportunities to initiate improvements and grow within my role. I am very excited about our future.” – Caroline Rich
8
The Honorees (Pictured Above, Left to Right) Lelia Fugate, Shipping Clerk/Production Control Clerk, Samuel Pressure Vessel Group Judy Cox, Finance Manager, Schaffner MTC LLC Mandi Koziol, Manager, Oak Hall Cap & Gown Carol Blankenship, Shipping & Receiving Clerk, Tadano Mantis Corporation Ruthie Selfe, Manufacturing Operations Supervisor 1, General Dynamics Mission Systems
Manufacturing Careers Scholarship Each year SVAM awards scholarships to deserving high school seniors who wish to pursue postsecondary education in a manufacturing related field. SVAM awards these scholarships in pursuit of its goal to promote manufacturing and its careers. The purpose of the scholarship is to raise awareness about manufacturing careers and retain the talented worker pool we have in Southwest Virginia. This year, SVAM awarded scholarship funding to 8 students who exemplified a desire to pursue a manufacturing career in Southwest Virginia. The scholarship will assist applicants in their pursuit of careers such as welding and engineering. SVAM would like to thank the Scholarship Committee, made up of manufacturing members, for taking the time to interview the students and help choose the most qualified candidates.
$7,000 in scholarships awarded to 8 students
“I was first introduced to the SVAM Manufacturing Career Scholarship through my technology instructor, Dr. Aaron Hurd. During this time, I was enrolled in Engineering and Manufacturing I at Virginia High School to further explore my interests in the field. My father had worked for over 20 years in Southwest Virginia as an industrial maintenance technician, so I held a massive passion for local manufacturing. I knew that I wanted to use my technological interests to benefit our area, so I applied to the SVAM Manufacturing Career Scholarship to help with this goal. Ultimately, receiving this scholarship means an indescribable amount. I find it extremely encouraging and empowering that I have the ability to use my talents and interests, with the support of the SVAM Scholarship, to turn my dream of technology-based community aid for Southwest Virginia into a reality.” - Eric McCracken
Manufacture Your Career Panel Discussions For the fall of 2020 and spring 2021, SVAM moved our Manufacture Your Career panel discussions to virtual events. Students and educators tuned in via Zoom both individually and as classes. These events focused on a panel discussion highlighting the manufacturing sector and the career paths it offers. Panelists discussed multiple topics including pay and benefits, facility safety, common misconceptions, employer desired soft skills, and different job opportunities. Participating colleges included Virginia Highlands Community College, Wytheville Community College, Southwest Virginia Community College, Mountain Empire Community College, and The University of Virginia's College at Wise.
9
SVAM Manufacturing Members
Affiliate Members Manufacturing Technology Center; Machine Tech, Inc. (Mazak Corp); Southwest Virginia WDB; Virginia Highlands Community College; Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center; Hollingsworth and Vose; At Work; Brown Edwards & Company, L.L.P.; Lawrence Brothers; Appalachian Environmental Resources; Employee Benefit Consultants; GBC Wellness Center/The Medfit Center; Tri-County Skill Center; Occupational Enterprises, Inc.; United Way of Southwest Virginia; Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority; Alliance Engineering; GKT; Dickenson County Board of Supervisors; New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Area Consortium Board; Joint IDA of Wythe; Mountain Empire Community College; Allegheny Brokerage Company; Micronic Technologies; Virginia's Industrial Advancement Alliance; OpX Solutions, LLC; SWCC's Procurement Technical Assistance Center; Wytheville Community College; The Southwestern Virginia Technology Council; King University; Smyth County Chamber of Commerce; Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce; UVAWISE Office of Economic Development; Emory & Henry College; UVA-WISE; Radford University; Old Dominion University; Virginia Tech; Ballad Health
County Partners Smyth County Board of Supervisors, Washington County Board of Supervisors, Wythe County Board of Supervisors (Affiliate), Scott County Board of Supervisors (Affiliate)
Special thanks to our member companies for providing photos for us to use on the cover and throughout the report.
The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing, Inc.
|
851 French Moore Jr Blvd, Abingdon, VA 24210
|
(276) 492-2100
|
swvam.org