Association Update: American Mold Builders Association

The American Mold Builders Association (AMBA) has been busy filling its calendar with several upcoming events and posting the details on its new website, amba.org. The organization has enlisted the services of JMVC Transitions Group, LLC, to present a four-part webinar series on succession planning as part of its Peer Networking program. Kym Conis, managing director, says, “Peer Networking is an AMBA members exclusive opportunity where professionals in common positions connect virtually with peers and discuss new ideas, explore methods of improvement and expand their professional networks.” Additionally, three new reports were released by the AMBA: The AMBA Wage and Benefits Report, Business Forecast Report and Best Practices in Filling the Sales Pipeline Report.

April 1 will see a call for applications for the American Mold Manufacturing Advancement Grant (AMMA), the purpose of which is to support programs/projects that fall within three primary areas: training, advocacy/industry promotion and R&D. Conis says the AMBA has set aside $60,000 in grant money for 2019. The AMBA is accepting applications for its National Scholarship Program through April 19. Finally, the AMBA will hold its 2019 Annual Conference on May 8-10 in Itasca, Illinois. This year’s theme is Strategies. Executed and will showcase industry trends in technology, operational best practices and benchmarks that will help attendees learn, improve and grow.

On a local level, April 10 marks the AMBA Chicago Chapter’s Fifth Annual Suppliers Night Fundraiser, which benefits the chapter’s Education Committee and its efforts to promote exciting career opportunities in moldmaking to educators, students and parents throughout Northern Illinois. Last year, the Education Committee’s Tools for Schools program granted a total of $15,000 to 12 Chicago area schools to assist them in purchasing supplies and curriculum for manufacturing programs. Chapter grants also benefited students visiting the IMTS SmartForce Student Summit by helping to offset travel costs, plus Chicago AMBA members led tours and promoted moldmaking. Outstanding apprentices from member companies were recognized at the annual Mold Your Career Award ceremony. Josh Salinas from PM Mold received a $1,000 gift card to purchase tools, while the other six nominees each received $100 for the same purpose. Schmolz+Bickenbach sponsored the event, offering a generous discount on purchases made.

AMBA’s West Michigan Chapter will host its annual Vendor Night on March 27. Like Chicago, West Michigan raises much-needed funds during its Vendor Night and at its popular golf outing that support its own scholarship program. In 2018, $17,000 in scholarship money was awarded to deserving students. The chapter also presented eight, $500 gift cards to apprentices as part of its Tooling for Apprentices Program. The cards will be used to purchase tools for moldmaking. Dykehouse Company manages the gift cards and tool purchases, and provides apprentices with a generous discount.