Iowa Manufacturer Elected ABI Secretary - Monday Memo 9/17/18

September 17, 2018

Hasken Elected Secretary; Johnson Elected to Board

The ABI Board of Directors met last Wednesday in Ames. The board took two actions resulting from the untimely passing of longtime ABI Board Member Michael Sadler (CenturyLink, Des Moines).  Michael’s death resulted in two vacancies, which the board filled by electing two members. 

Longtime ABI Board Member Jack Hasken (Jackson Manufacturing, Maquoketa) was elected to the officer rotation, assuming the position as Board Secretary. Wayne Johnson (CenturyLink, Des Moines) was elected to the board.  Congratulations and thank you to these men upon their election!  We look forward to your continued service and leadership. 

Honor Kay Neumann-Thomas at AC Hotel in Des Moines on October 1

One of the highlights of last week’s meeting of the ABI Board of Directors was a special presentation by ABI Chair David Bywater (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art, Iowa City).  David shared remarks and, on behalf of the board, presented longtime ABI Foundation Programs Vice President Kay Neumann-Thomas with a commemorative gift.  Kay’s remarks in response were wonderful and everyone present showed their gratitude to and affection for Kay with a standing ovation. 

All ABI members and all Iowans will also have the opportunity to honor Kay, who is retiring September 30 after 20 years with the ABI Foundation. Please join us for a reception and program in behalf of Kay to be held October 1 from 4:00 to 6:00 in the afternoon at the AC Hotel in Des Moines’ East Village.  If you wish, you may park for free at ABI and walk the two blocks to the hotel. 

There will be plenty of food and beverages (including a Bloody Mary bar, one of Kay’s favorites) and lots and lots of good cheer. A program will be presented at around 4:45.  Please join us to honor Kay! 

Manufacturing Best Practices Tour Hits the Road Tomorrow, Wednesday

A couple of dozen ABI leaders and members are hitting the road tomorrow and Wednesday.  They will be taken by private coach to manufacturing facilities in the Quad Cities and suburban Chicago, Illinois to tour and see the latest in digital/automated manufacturing.  There is still time for you and your people to be included in the tour.  Simply reply to this memo and we’ll make sure you are registered and can participate. 

ABI Board Holds Great Meeting

This memorandum is meant to be a forward-looking report, but on behalf of our officers, THANK YOU to the many of you who made the September ABI board meeting so successful.  As it is the first meeting of the fiscal year, it is always important that the September meeting goes well.  Thanks to all of you, it did. 

The board meeting was well-attended, it was substantive, and it was marked by good discussion.  That is not just rhetoric.  Your participation in board meetings is critical to ABI's success.  So, again on behalf of ABI Chair David Bywater (Bankers Advertising/Tru Art, Iowa City) and our officers, THANK YOU for your support.

Latest Edition of ABI's Business Record Iowa Now Out

The most recent edition of ABI's monthly newsprint magazine, Business Record Iowa, has been published and should have been received by you late last week.  We are proud to partner with member company Business Publications Corp. on the magazine.

Look for ABI Board Member Kim Augspurger (Saxton, Des Moines) and ABI member partners Ron Cox (CIRAS, Ames) and Steve Healy (Pratum, Ankeny) on the cover of this month's edition.  Let us know what you would like to see in future editions.  If you have not received the magazine, please reply to this memo and I'll make sure one is sent to you at once. 

Manufacturing Legends Dinner; Iowa Advanced Manufacturing Conference in Two Weeks 

Two big ABI events are just a couple of weeks away. The annual Legends in Manufacturing Awards Dinner and the 2018 Iowa Advanced Manufacturing Conference will be held in Greater Des Moines on October 2nd and 3rd respectively.   Register now for these important events at conference at http://www.cvent.com/events/legends-in-manufacturing-awards-dinner-and-or-advanced-manufacturing-conference/event-summary-de211e47fb134bf5ad05f7564b050780.aspx.  Both events will be held at the Prairie Meadows Events and Conference Center in Altoona.  If you wish to make a hotel reservation, go to: http://www.prairiemeadows.com/.  

These events have become a must-attend for ABI members in recent years and the awards dinner is always a fun celebration of Iowa manufacturing. See you at Prairie Meadows! 

September Meeting of ABI Advisory Council Thursday

As you know, the members of the ABI Advisory Council provide important support to the association and to all ABI members. Certainly the financial support provided is of value, but even more valuable are the resources and business solutions provided by the council. 

The advisory council will hold its monthly meeting this Thursday at ABI, where members will hear a special presentation about Future Ready Iowa. Thank you to ABI Advisory Council members 21st Century Rehab, BCC Advisers, Brick Gentry P.C., BrownWinick, CIRAS, CliftonLarsonAllen, EMC, Far Reach, Focus OneSource, Global Reach, HDH Advisors, LMC Insurance and Risk Management, Principal, Shift Interactive, Tero International, The Iowa Clinic, Wellmark, and Wells Fargo

ASCP Honors ABI 

ABI Vice President Member Development and Programs Kathy Anderson has returned from the annual meeting of the Association of State Chamber Professionals in New Orleans, Louisiana.  ABI has long been an ASCP member.  

This year’s conference again featured sessions on a variety of topics. One highlight of the annual meeting is an awards dinner.  Over the years, ABI has been honored 11 times by the organization for our membership programs and activities.  This year makes it an even dozen, as Kathy has brought back for ABI the 2018 ASCP award for Greatest Retention in Member Numbers. 

The award is really a testament to YOU, ABI members across Iowa who continue to be involved in and committed to the association. Your support is important to ABI and to Iowa.  Congratulations and thank you! 

Final Call: Annual YPIowa Conference Friday

The ABI Foundation serves as the administrative entity for Young Professionals of Iowa, YPIowa is our state’s leading statewide organization to develop and advance young professionals. 

The 2018 YPIowa Annual Conference will be held on Friday in Spencer. Reports indicate that the conference has already sold-out, but if you or members of your staff wish to attend, reply to this memorandum and we’ll see that you are accommodated.  In the meantime, to see the agenda and for more information, please click on http://ypiowa.com/events/yp-iowa-conference/.   

NAM: Global Economy Expanding Slowly; Other Data Trending Strongly

The most recent edition of the National Association of ManufacturersGlobal Manufacturing Economic Update was published last week.  The news was mostly positive, in that the report cites several different data indicating the global economy is growing.  However, the growth is modest.  

That contrasts, however, with today’s edition of the NAM’s Monday Economic Report.  The Report is incredibly positive, with data suggesting a huge improvement in the manufacturing economy.  As always, reply to this memo if you wish to see either publication for yourself and I’ll get it to you at once. 

Arconic Plant Celebrates 70 Years in the Quad Cities

A longtime ABI member is celebrating a big anniversary. The Arconic operations in the Quad Cities are marking seven decades of service this year. 

The 70th anniversary milestone was celebrated at an event held at the plant last Saturday.  Over the years, thousands of employees have worked together to make high-quality aluminum products for all kinds of uses.  The plant has had a huge impact on the Quad Cities, Iowa, and the entire Midwest.  Congratulations to everyone at Arconic, including longtime ABI Board Member John Riches (Arconic, Davenport)!