Past Events
Columbia Metal Spinning Plant Tour
DATE: Thursday, March 27, 2008
LOCATION: Columbia Metal Spinning, 4351 N. Normandy Ave., Chicago, IL
SCHEDULE: 3:30 p.m. – Tour; Dinner to follow at Cucina Biagio, 7319 W. Lawrence Ave., Harwood Heights, IL
Columbia Metal Spinning is an industry leader in close-tolerance round parts, serving the automotive, aerospace and electronic industries. To meet ever-growing quality demands, Columbia Metal Spinning achieved TS16949 certification in 2006. Through continuous improvement initiatives and new equipment acquisitions, maintaining a CPk of 1.33 on tolerances to +/- .001 is a daily event.
The acquisition of Craft Metal Spinning in 1989 added larger diameter capacities (over 80") to serve its customer base. Craft Metal Spinning services the agriculture, cryogenic and food industries.
By offering rapid prototyping, short run production, and long production capabilities to meet our growing customer base, Columbia/Craft has sustained 15-25 percent growth each of the last four years. Both companies combined employ more than 60 people in a new 75,000-square-foot building (utilizing 45,000 square feet) with eight CNC spinning machines (to 72"), four hydraulic presses (to 250 tons), seven stamping presses (to 165 tons), 10 CNC machining centers, 12 hand spinning lathes and 12 manual engine lathes with a complete inhouse tool and die department.
Outlook for 2008 and Chairman’s Night
With PMA Chairman Ralph Hart
DATE: Thursday, February 21, 2008
LOCATION: Casey’s Restaurant, 415 E. North Ave., Lombard, IL 60148
SCHEDULE: 4:30 p.m. - Networking; 5:00 p.m. - Program; 6:00 p.m. - Dinner
Customer bankruptcies . . . announcements by OEMs about plant closings . . . constant pressure for cost-downs . . . increasing healthcare costs . . . higher energy prices . . . continued concerns about availability and cost of raw material . . . and the consistent drumbeat of growing trade deficits and offshoring . . .
These are critical issues that challenge the metalforming industry. Yet orders and shipments for many PMA members are growing, profitability is rebounding and stronger tooling orders portend growing production volumes in the future.
All are encouraged to join your industry peers from the Chicago area and
PMA’s chairman, Ralph Hardt, to share information and discuss the
business outlook for 2008. Review information from the purchasing
manager’s index, machine tool orders, automotive forecasts, PMA’s
statistical surveys and other economic data. Learn more about current
legislative issues of importance to industrial consumers and American
manufacturers.
Evening with Senator Chris Lauzen
DATE: Thursday, January 17, 2008
LOCATION: Casey’s Restaurant, 415 E. North Ave., Lombard, IL 60148
SCHEDULE: 4:30 p.m. - Cocktails; 5:00 p.m. - Program with Q & A; 6:00 p.m. - Dinner
Chris Lauzen is currently the state senator serving Illinois' 25th Senate District which encompasses a large part of Kane and Kendall Counties as well as a small portion of LaSalle County. He has worked on behalf of the constituents of the Fox Valley area since his election in 1992. Chris has used his commonsense financial background to shape legislation in Springfield which has made our state government more accountable.
Prior to his life in public service, Chris was a successful business owner who built an accounting practice with a client list of more than 200 area small businesses.
In preparation for professional life, Chris graduated from Duke University with honors before earning an M.B.A. from Harvard University.
Chris and his wife, Sarah, along with their four wonderful sons, make Aurora their home.
Growth Strategies for your Company
Discovering new approaches to developing a dynamic marketing strategy
DATE: November 15, 2007
LOCATION: Spavone’s Ristorante, 266 W. Lake St., Bloomingdale, IL
SCHEDULE: 4:30 p.m. - Cocktails; 5:00 p.m. – Program; 6:00 p.m. – Dinner
Remember when the Chicago area led the nation in the manufacture of TV sets, cell phones and communications equipment? Well, times are changing and any PMA member company not prepared to cope with continuing change through an intelligent planning process is destined to encounter trouble.
Join other PMA members at the Chicago District November meeting to learn of a fresh, new approach to developing a dynamic marketing strategy. Meet Clark Neuhoff as he describes a systematic and repeatable process designed to define and execute growth strategies.
Clark will present a four-step process that analyzes a company’s current situation, identifies specific opportunities for growth, aligns each area of a business around these initiatives, and tracks progress and accountability for results.
Clark has spent more than 25 years building brands at Fortune 500 and mid-market companies by solving sales and marketing problems. He is active with the TMA, serving on several committees, and is a Professional Member of the Institute of Management Consultants. For more information, visit www.sextant-us.com.
Sko-Die Plant Tour
DATE: October 18, 2007
LOCATION: Sko-Die, 8050 Austin Ave., Morton Grove, IL
SCHEDULE: 4:00 p.m. – Tour; 5:30 p.m. – Dinner at Amici Ristorante, 7620 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles, IL 60714
Join the Chicago District of PMA for an excellent tour of Sko-Die, a local family-owned ISO certified manufacturing business that is prospering despite foreign competition.
Morton Grove-based Sko-Die Inc. manufactures metal stampings and dies for clients—mostly makers of aerospace brakes and generators—who need customized products to feed into just-in-time factory processes. Revenues grew from $8 million in 2002 to $13.1 million in 2006, nearly a 60-percent increase in four years.
Laminations represent more than 50 percent of all Sko-Die stampings. The company’s high-speed tooling offers a low-cost alternative to manufacturers with moderate stamping requirements, with an average lead time of 12-14 weeks.
Annual Golf Outing
Date: Thursday, June 14, 2007
Location: Oak Meadows Golf Course, 900 N. Wood Dale Rd., Addison, IL
Schedule: 1:00 p.m. - Shotgun start; Networking dinner to follow
Think Spring! And think about golf, especially the Chicago District PMA Annual Golf Outing on Thursday, June 14 at a beautiful course. Here are some reasons why you and your colleagues should sign up:
- We’ll play at Oak Meadows Golf Club in Addison, IL. Oak Meadows is a beautifully laid out course with challenging holes suited for all levels of play.
- A shotgun start with tee off at 1:00 p.m. This means everyone will start and finish at the same time. It also means golfers don’t have to be out of the office for a whole day.
- A great western-style picnic.
- The business environment has improved. It’s a good time to take off for an afternoon of golf.
Besides great golf, there will be opportunities to win prizes for longest drive, closest to the pin and overall team standings. Sign up as a group or as an individual and we’ll assign teams for a best ball scramble. The generous sponsorship of our associate members means we’ll have a beverage cart and plenty of individual prizes.
This year’s golf outing is sure to draw a large group. Don’t miss this opportunity to support PMA and spend an afternoon with your colleagues.
RTM Douglas Plant Tour
Date: Thursday, April 19, 2007
Location: Plant Tour - RTM Douglas, 900 N. State St., Elgin, IL; Dinner - Jimmy’s Charhouse, 2290 Point Blvd., Elgin, IL
Schedule: 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Join PMA’s Chicago District for an informative plant tour of Reliance Tool and Mfg. Co. (RTM) on April 19.
RTM is an ISO 9001 registered company with certification in the design and manufacture of dies, die components, rubber and plastic mold components, and precision metal stamping components.
Reliance and its sister company RTM Trend, offer complete design, build and run capabilities for precision die and metal stampings. The company specializes in progressive deep-draw round parts. Reliance is second tier to nearly all the automotive, construction and farm equipment companies, furnishing internal engine and transmission parts. Reliance/RTM Trend has 75 employees in 77,000 sq. ft., with 35 mechanical presses to 400 tons and five hydraulic presses to 280 tons.
RTM Douglas is the newest addition to the Reliance family. It is a tool and die shop specializing in the design and manufacture of tooling for the can-making industry. Partial product listing includes carbide and tool steel primary and rescroll dies, double dies for ends, aerosol tooling, die for paint cans, crown press tooling, bodymaker parts, notching dies, bumpers and splines and cover plates.
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