MCMA NEWS
Board Meetings Scheduled
Board meetings are scheduled on the second Tuesday, bi-monthly. Remaining 2012 meetings are May
8, July 10, September 11 and November 13.
MCMA Receives State Recognition
The Mason County Manufacturers Association, along with West Shore Community College and the Mason County Growth Alliance, has been selected as the 2008 Michigan Works! for People Annual Conference Excellence in Innovation Award. The MCMA was nominated by Michigan Works! West Central and the Michigan Works! System for their commitment to workforce development in Michigan. This award was the result of the Lean Users Group Training. The fact that local manufacturing companies in Mason County pulled together in joint learning and collaboration accomplishments has resulted in this excellent state recognition. An awards ceremony has taken place at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center on Monday, September 8, 2008. Attendees from all partnering organizations (MCMA, WSCC, MCGA) were present to accept this award.
Lean Training in a User Group Format
Thirty employees from nine MCMA Member Companies completed ten months of training on a range of Lean Manufacturing topics during 2007/2008, all of which enable manufacturing to be accomplished and managed in more efficient and effective ways. Participants engaged in interactive classroom training in a user group format with each session hosted by each participating company in turn. One valuable aspect of this format is the ‘waste walk’ at each company, where the user group tours the host facility to view and offer constructive input on any aspect of that company’s operation. This objective and helpful outside view has proved invaluable to each hosting company, in addition to the learning gained in each session. The training was largely funded by the State of Michigan and is the first collaboration of this kind between manufacturers in a regional area. A second phase of training focused on the next steps in lean manufacturing has been approved for 2008/2009. Participants are exited about the opportunity for more learning and increased beneft.