ABI DC Fly-In Next Week - Monday Memo 10/18/21

October 18, 2021

Biennial ABI DC Fly-In One Week from Tomorrow

The 2021 edition of the Biennial ABI DC Fly-In will be wheels-up for Washington, DC a week from tomorrow.  A small group of ABI leaders will hit the ground running in DC, with meetings Tuesday through Thursday of next week.  Meetings with every member of the Iowa Congressional Delegation (not staff, the members themselves) and with the National Association of Manufacturers, BIPAC, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and with Governor Reynolds’ staff representative in Washington are all on tap.  Thank you to those participating. 

Conference Workshop Proposals Sought

Preparations are well underway for the 2022 Taking Care of Business Conference.  A fabulous program, exciting new venues, and terrific speakers will make the conference one of the very best ever.  Mark your calendars now and join us in June in Dubuque. 

Related to the annual conference, ABI uses a sophisticated and competitive process to determine the content of breakout sessions that will be a part of the conference.  If you or your company are interested in being featured at the conference, please click on this link for information about submitting a proposal: https://www.dmacc.edu/dbr/Pages/workshop.aspx.  

Three and a Half Weeks Until November ABI Board Meeting

The November meeting of the ABI Board of Directors will be an important one.  On the agenda will be the usual operations and finance reports, a public policy update, discussion by the board on pandemic-related issues, and receipt of the annual audit, among other business.  

ABI Chair Jack Hasken (Jackson Mfg., Maquoketa) and board members will meet at the ABI office in Des Moines at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 11.  Many of you have already registered for this free meeting of the board, but if not, please reply to this memorandum and I’ll make sure you are registered.  You will receive your board packet by email in about two weeks.  In the meantime, thank you in advance for participating in this final board meeting of 2021. 

Connecting Statewide Leaders Event December 2 in Pella

The first 2021-2022 Connecting Statewide Leaders event will be held December 2 in Pella.   This forum is the next opportunity to participate in the popular series of events ABI has hosted around Iowa over the course of the past few years.  

A luncheon follows the meeting and you will have a great opportunity to visit with fellow ABI members, meet the new Leadership Iowa class, and develop new customers.  Register now for this program, which will feature a manufacturing panel: Summary - Connecting Statewide Leaders - Pella (cvent.com).  Make your plans now to join the LI class and ABI members in Pella in December. 

Make Plans Now for 2022 ABI Legislative Reception

It is not too early to finalize your plans to participate in the 2022 edition of the ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception, our organization’s second biggest annual event.  The 2022 Legislative Reception will again be held at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in downtown Des Moines.  

ABI and the facility management team are taking all possible steps related to health and safety for the event and registration related to the event will open soon.  For now, please make plans to attend. 

Two Separate NAM Reports Cite Positive Manufacturing Data While Also Citing Challenges

In last week’s edition of the National Association of ManufacturersMonday Economic Report, data was highlighted that cited manufacturing as a bright spot in recent data.  Jobs growth, new orders, and increased shipments were just some of the positive elements. 

On Thursday of last week, however, the NAM’s Global Manufacturing Economic Update monthly led with a story about smaller than expected increases due to supply chain concerns, the continuing impact of COVID-19, and worker shortages.  Following that, though, more positive data was highlighted.  The NAM reports are always interesting reading and if you would like to see them for yourself, reply to this memo and I’ll get them to you at once. 

Haskens Celebrate

Every year at this time, two great ABI leaders (and a great couple) celebrate the anniversary of their wedding.  ABI sends very best wishes to Former ABI Chair Sarah McDonald Hasken and current ABI Board Member Jack Hasken (Jackson Manufacturing, Maquoketa).  Happy Anniversary, Jack and Sarah! 

Vogel Paint Holds Groundbreaking for New Innovation Center

ABI members are known for their innovations and one of the leaders in that regard is longtime member Vogel Paint Company.  This fourth-generation iconic Iowa Company has been an industry leader for decades and is celebrated for the quality of its paints and coatings.  And, there is more to celebrate. 

Last Wednesday at its Orange City headquarters campus, Vogel Paint officials broke ground on a new, better-than-state-of-the-art research and development building.  The 36,000 square feet Innovation Center will allow for increased collaboration, as well as increased research and development.  The building is expected to be completed in late 2022.  You can read more about the Innovation Center here: Diamond Vogel breaks ground for new addition - Radio Iowa.  Congratulations to everyone at Vogel Paint, including company Chairman and longtime ABI Board Member Drew Vogel (Vogel Paint Company, Orange City)

Kreg Tool Moves into Gorgeous New Headquarters

Every day during my commute to the ABI office, I check the progress of the new Kreg Tool Company headquarters facility in south Ankeny.  The huge, beautiful building is easily seen from Interstate 35 and it is fabulous.  I checked Friday with company Chairman and longtime ABI Board Member Todd Sommerfeld (Kreg Tool, Ankeny) and he confirmed that the move to the new building had been completed. 

Office personnel moved in late last month and operations people made the move last week, Todd said.  He also noted that the company continues to utilize a building on its former campus in Huxley, just northwest of Ankeny.  Finally, Todd also offered tours of this terrific new facility and I assured him we would take him up on his offer.  Congratulations to Todd and to all Kreg team members on this grand new building! 

Gilliland Group Moves to RBC Wealth Management

When former ABI staff member John Gilliland (Gilliland Group at RBC Wealth Management, Des Moines) left the ABI payroll, he joined his father, Marvin Gilliland, in his successful financial investment and advisory firm.  The Gilliland Group has been a terrific ABI member, supporter, and sponsor ever since. 

Recently, the firm announced a transition and is now affiliated with RBC Wealth Management.  This is exciting news for John and his clients and please click here for more information: Gilliland Group - RBC Wealth Management - The RBC difference.  ABI wishes everyone involved all the best and sends hearty congratulations to John and Marvin! 

Strategic America Transitioning to Employee Ownership

There was big news out of longtime ABI member Strategic America last week, as the company announced creation of an ESOP and a transition to employee ownership.  This transition builds upon SA’s culture of teamwork and commitment to client service excellence.  The company’s founders, Mike Schreurs (Strategic America, West Des Moines) and former ABI Board Member John Schreurs (Strategic America, West Des Moines), will remain active in leadership and will continue to serve on the SA Board of Directors.  

This is great news for a terrific Iowa company and for SA employees and clients.  Congratulations to SA, its employees, and to Mike and John! 

ABI Foundation Board Retreat Offers Lessons for Association Also

Members of the ABI Foundation Board of Directors, chaired by longtime ABI member Kim Butler Hegedus (Community State Bank, Ankeny), held their regular quarterly meeting and a retreat last Wednesday.  The retreat was a terrific event and ensures that Foundation programs and operations continue to get better and better. 

Two things struck me during an afternoon discussion about board service.  Former ABI Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield) and longtime ABI Board Member Dick Davidson (Thombert, Newton) noted that clear, consistent communication and holding substantive meetings are critical to securing vital board participation.  Board Members want to add value.  That’s a good lesson for the ABI Foundation AND for ABI.  Thanks to all Foundation board members who participated and to Kim and Community State Bank, who sponsored the event.