Newsletter Volume 3 Edition 2 - Southwest Virginia Alliance for

A NEWSLETTER OF THE
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
ALLIANCE FOR
MANUFACTURING, INC.
IN THIS ISSUE:
What is SVAM?
Made in SWVA
SVAM Annual Meeting
SVAM Scholarships
Utility Trailer’s 75,000th
Trailer Celebration
Trainings
Manufacture Your Career
at SWCC
Center of Excellence
Update
Manufacturing Matters
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Who/What is SVAM??
The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing, Inc. (SVAM) is a non-profit, 501c3 organization focused on
supporting and strengthening all manufacturers currently in the region as well as welcoming new industry. SVAM
accomplishes this in a unique way—by being governed by a Board of Directors made of up southwest Virginia
manufacturers. Programs and initiatives —many outlined in this newsletter—are held to carry out SVAM’s strategic
plan. More information about SVAM can be found at www.swvam.org/about-svam.
Our Mission Statement: To establish and promote the regional collaborations in support of
manufacturing and manufacturing careers as part of an economic development initiative.
Made in Southwest Virginia Tours
On May 25 & 26, 2016, a Made in SWVA (#MadeinSWVA)
two day tour of ten manufacturing facilities was provided by
SVAM and the SVAM Center of Excellence. Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) Career Coaches, Instructors, and Mechatronics Students were given a unique insight
into the production, assembly, and/or fabrication of products, made – right here in southwest Virginia. The event was
coordinated and directed by Stephanie Muncy Surrett, Director of SVAM-CoE, and Lennie Gail Mitcham,
On Wednesday, May 25, the group toured the following facilities: Tadano Mantis Corporation, Richlands – develops and produces hydraulic telescopic
boom crawler cranes; PBE Group, North Tazewell –
a global electronic engineering and manufacturing
company, specializing in safety and production systems; ABB, Bland – manufactures and services
power and distribution transformers, worldwide;
Somic America, Wytheville – machines and assembles steering and suspension parts for Toyota; and
Pepsico, Wytheville – manufactures and distributes
a variety of Pepsi products.
The group continued touring the following facilities
on Thursday, May 26: Steel Fab, Lebanon – manufactures and distributes pressurized tanks; General
Engineering, Abingdon – engineers, manufactures,
and repairs hydraulic cylinders; Utility Trailer
Manufacturing Company, Glade Spring – manufactures
customized dry van trailers; General Dynamics Ordinance and Tactical Systems, Marion – designs, produces,
and distributes aircraft structures; ZF TRW, Atkins –
designs, integrates, and produces all major steering technologies, as well as a major player in linkage and suspension systems.
Attendees received information about each manufacturing facility to the members of the group. Upon arrival at
each facility, everyone received safety procedure instructions, as well as necessary Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE), which usually included safety glasses, hard hats, ear
plugs, yellow vests, and in some cases hair nets. As the
participants proceeded to walk through each facility, they
were given detailed explanations of the production processes beginning with the raw materials, assembly, and/or
fabrication. In addition, their guides answered their employment related questions, which included the following
topics: training requirements; hiring practices; number of
shifts; hours of work per week; pay rates and bonuses;
promotions; and fringe benefits. This type of learning
experience was extremely educational. Now, the participants have a new perspective about the world of manufacturing; and most importantly, they can share their
findings with others to let them know that there are
“manufacturing jobs available” in southwest Virginia.
SVAM Annual meeting
On June 21st, Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing hosted the 2016 Annual Meeting at the Higher
Education Center in Abingdon, Virginia.
The meeting recapped accomplishments in the 20152016 fiscal year, including program achievements, community support, organization financials and more. The
2016-2017 strategic plan was adopted, board member
terms were extended, and new board members were
elected.
Copies of the 2015-2016 Annual Report were distributed to attendees. A copy of this report can be found
on the SVAM website. Members of the manufacturing
sector, political representatives and other community
members were in attendance.
There was ample opportunity for questions and comments regarding the 2015-2016 summary and the
2016-2017 strategic plan. Thank you to all those who
attended!
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SVAM Scholarships
For several years, SVAM has been awarding scholarships
to students in support of its goal to promote manufacturing and its careers. This scholarship awards funds to
students interested in pursuing post-secondary education in a manufacturing related field, which includes all
areas of
manufacturing both technical and administrative.
SVAM GOALS:
The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing operates under the following
three goals which guide programming and initiatives to
support the sustainment and
advancement of manufacturing in the region:
1.
2.
3.
To establish and
promote the regional collaborations
in support of manufacturing and manufacturing careers as
part of an economic
development initiative.
To redefine the image of manufacturing with young people and their parents, their educators, the community
and policy makers in
a manner that increases the number
of young adults and
other members of
the workforce who
pursue manufacturing careers.
To close the skills
gap for regional
manufacturers by
aligning educational
and workforce training resources with
the most pressing
demands of area
industry.
This is a very unique scholarship in that it is able to
provide funds to students who are attending any level of
post-secondary education including technical programs. The
scholarship seeks to increase the number of students interested in pursuing a career in manufacturing to raise awareness
for the career opportunities in manufacturing right here in
Southwest Virginia.
SVAM received many applications for the 2016
Manufacturing Related Scholarship from graduating
seniors in SVAM’s membership counties. These students are planning to pursue careers in welding, accounting, engineering, computer science, and more. The
Committee interviewed each qualified applicant at their
schools as part of the selection process.
This year, SVAM offered twenty-two scholarships to
students from Washington, Smyth, Russell, Wythe,
Tazewell and Buchanan Counties. Scholarships totaling
$17,500 were awarded to outstanding students who
demonstrate a desire to pursue an educational path
related to manufacturing.
Utility Trailer’s 75,000th Trailer
Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company in Glade Spring recently hosted a celebration to mark their 75,000th trailer
milestone, which was well attended by several notable city
and state officials that included the Washington County
Board of Supervisors, the Mayor of Glade Spring, and a
member of the Virginia House of Delegates.
“We were honored to have the leadership of our community attend this special event,” said Sam Cassell, Utility’s
Glade Spring, Virginia Plant Manager. “We are also pleased
to have Barry Pottle and his family with us to receive the
75,000th trailer. Pottle’s Transportation has been a longstanding customer of Utility and we appreciate their commitment.”
The celebration took place on Wednesday, April 13th at
the Utility Trailer Manufacturing Plant in Glade Spring.
Lunch-N-Learn Trainings
Employment Laws Training-
FMLA/ADAAA Intersection
Training-
Motivating Employees Training-
On June 22nd, Jim Christensen, ReOn May 10, 2016, Matthew Davison gional Vice President for Dale Carnegie
Training of Tennessee, led a training on
led a training at Somic America on
Motivating employees at General Dythe FMLA/ADAAA Intersection.
namics in Marion, Virginia.
This session dove deeply into the
The training included a discussion of legal intersection points between the
The training focused on teaching those
developments with regard to an extenin management and supervisory posiFMLA & the ADAAA, focusing on
sive list of employment law issues. Atthe employer’s obligations and best tions how to inspire their employees
tendees were given insight into the exist- practices related to coverage and
and create a culture of cooperation
ing regulations and upcoming changes to compliance issues under both stat- within their organizations.
employment laws in 2016.
utes.
Thank you to General Dynamics for
SVAM provided lunch for attendees.
hosting and providing lunch and to Jim
Thank you to Somic America for
Thank you Matthew Davison for leading hosting and providing lunch and to
Christensen for leading the training.
the training.
Mr. Davison for leading the training.
On April 5th, Matthew Davison, lawyer
and shareholder with Baker Donelson
law firm led a training , “2015 Employment Law Wrap Up & 2016 Look
Ahead. “
Peer-to-Peer Trainings
CPR TrainingOn June 14th, Carolyn Powers,
Employee Performance Specialist at
Scholle IPN, led a CPR class specifically designed for the manufacturing environment.
This class is from the National
Safety Council. The training included first aid and adult; child
and infant CPR/AED; and blood
borne pathogens.
MANUFACTURING
MATTERS
Lean TrainingOn May 26th, Bristol Compressors’ employees led a training on
how they have implemented the
Managing for Daily Improvements
component of Lean Manufacturing
at their facility.
10-Hour OSHA Outreach TrainingOn May 3rd and 4th 2016, Carolyn Powers, OSHA Authorized General Industry
Trainer and Employee Performance Specialist at Scholle IPN Packaging, Inc., led a OSHA
10 Hour Outreach Training Program to
teach workers about their rights, employer
responsibilities, and how to file a complaint
Attendees were given the opporas well as how to identify, abate, avoid and
tunity to tour Bristol Compressors
prevent job related hazards.
for an interactive visual representation of lean in practice.
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Manufacture your Career-SWVCC
presentation was followed by a panel
discussion featuring professionals in different positions within manufacturing
organizations in Southwest Virginia. Panelists included Christa Glassburn-Chief
Operating Officer at The PBE Group in
Tazewell, VA ; Mary Myers-Operations
Manager at PBE; Kelly Queen-Sales ManStephanie Davis, Director of Career Services at SWCC, successfully promoted the ager at Consolidated Steel in Cedar Bluff
event and recruited students from a variety VA; and Tom Lester-Consultant for
of technical programs to participate. Over- Consolidated Steel. The panelists discussed a range of topics and students
all, there were 35 people in attendance.
asked insightful questions about the inThe event began with an Advanced Manu- terview process, opportunities for advancement in manufacturing and more.
facturing presentation given by Richard
Morgan and Alice Scott, which encouraged Overall, the sense was that the students
valued the opportunity to learn more
students to challenge their perception of
manufacturing and discover the new types about manufacturing careers.
of manufacturing that exist in Virginia. The
On April 13th, in cooperation with Southwest Virginia Community College, Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing cohosted Manufacture Your Career, a panel
discussion highlighting the manufacturing
sector and the career paths it offers.
The event concluded with
door prizes provided by West
River Conveyors, Somic
America, and Tempur Pedic.
Students and panelists enjoyed the provided breakfast
and coffee, and were given
the opportunity to network
with panelists after the event.
SVAM would like to thank the
volunteer panelists, give-away
sponsors, Southwest Virginia
Community College, and the instructors
who encouraged their students to attend. SVAM would like to thank the volunteer panelists, give-away sponsors,
Mountain Empire Community College,
Beth Boggs, and the instructors who
encouraged their students to attend.
Southwest Virginia Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence Update
Why become a
member of SVAM?
Networking
opportunities
Access and free
admission to
trainings
The second quarter of 2016 has been a very busy, but productive time for the SVAM
Center of Excellence (SVAM-CoE): #MadeinSWVA tours were conducted for workforce development specialists; the mechatronics, machining and fab lab equipment was
delivered and setup; and, Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies were held for two of the three
satellite sites.
Priority access
#MadeinSWVA Manufacturing Tours - Workforce Development Specialists Participate
SVAM Center of Excellence hosted Workforce
Development Specialists, in partnership with the Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board, for a tour of the Abingdon CoE and Scholle IPN in Chilhowie. Workforce
Development Specialists (WDS) are tasked with assisting the unemployed, underemployed,
dislocated workers and those transitioning residents with training and employment. Advanced Manufacturing is one of the industries to which the WDS are steering these participants. The tours of the CoE and Scholle IPN provided a first-hand learning opportunity for
these professionals to see an example of modern, advanced manufacturing versus what
most perceive manufacturing to be. Based on survey results, the tours did help better inform the WDS about the manufacturing industry and the diverse jobs available. Further, the survey reflected a positive
change in perception of manufacturing.
sure on website,
at events, on
newsletter, etc.
to SVAM
worker pool
Company expo-
Mechatronics Lab Equipment Delivered and Set up
The required equipment for Siemens Level 2 Mechatronics training has been delivered and set up. The Siemens Mechatronics Level 2 training, which prepares students
to test for their Siemens Level 2 Certification as a Mechatronic Systems Associate, is
scheduled to begin in late August. Upon completion of Siemens Level 1 or with experience, students can start coursework for Siemens Level 2 Certification. For entry
level Mechatronics training, please contact your local community college. For more
information about the Level 2 certification and what it means to you, visit http://
www.siemens-certifications.com/content/0/6/7/3389/44/.
Precision Machining Equipment Commissioned and Set up
Advanced Precision Machining training, leading to National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certifications, will be facilitated at the Abingdon CoE Campus and Wytheville Satellite. The Trak Lathe and CNC Milling Machine have been delivered
and set up for manual machining training at the Abingdon Campus. In addition to traditional machining, training for the newest
technology will also be facilitated. The Mazak Vertical Center 500A-5-Axis, Mazak Horizontal Center 40003R and Mazak
Quick Turn 200MY machining centers have been commissioned and set up at the Abingdon Campus. The Machining Lab will
be fully operational by the end of July.
Continued on Page 4
MANUFACTURING
Peer-to-Peer
Best Practices
Meetings
Free admission
to all SVAM
events to include Manufacturers Appreciation Dinner
Community
outreach opportunities to
change the image of manufacturing
Training Sharing
And much
more!
For more information, contact the
SVAM Office at
276-492-2100
MATTERS
Southwest Virginia Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence Update (cont’d)
CoE Satellites Renovations and Improvements completed – Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies Held
Bluefield – On May 17th, more than 78 partners joined the SVAM and CoE staff for the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the Bluefield
Satellite CoE. located at 670 Camp Joy Road in Bluefield, VA. The CoE Satellite grand opening was the result of many partners contributing in many different aspects. Offering Advanced Welding and Siemens Mechatronics Level 2 training, the CoE Satellite will serve the
manufacturers, residents and partners in Tazewell and contiguous counties.
Duffield- On May 10th, more than 60 attendees participated in the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
for the Duffield Satellite CoE. The Duffield Satellite CoE, located within the Pioneer Center in
Duffield, will serve the manufacturers, residents, schools, residents and partners in far Southwest Virginia. There are three components of the CoE Satellite: classroom space for distance
learning, Welding Lab and Fab Lab.
The Welding Lab is equipped with state of the art welding equipment, which will be utilized in
advanced welding training as well as assessment and preparation for AWS certifications in
SMAW (Stick), GMAW (Mig), FCAW (Flux Core) and GTAW (Tig) welding processes.
The onsite Fab Lab is a technical prototyping
platform for innovation and invention, providing stimulus for local entrepreneurship. A Fab Lab is
also a platform for learning and innovation: a place to play, to create, to learn, to mentor, and to
invent. To be a Fab Lab means connecting to a global community of learners, educators, technologists, researchers, makers and innovators- -a knowledge sharing network that spans 30
countries and 24 time zones. Because all Fab Labs share common tools and processes, the program is building a global network, a distributed laboratory for research and invention. Manufacturers, entrepreneurs and school systems can reserve the use of the Fab Lab on a scheduled
basis starting in late August. Public access will begin in September, where the Fab Lab will be
open to public 1-2 days per week. There will be a fee for use of the Fab Lab. More information
will be distributed and advertised in early August.
If you would like to learn more about SVAM-CoE or schedule a presentation at your business or organization,
contact Stephanie Surrett, Director of the Center of Excellence at (276) 525-1400 or [email protected].
Members of The Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing, Inc.
Associate Members:
Manufacturing Technology Center, American Wood Fibers, Mazak Corporation,
Southwest Virginia Workforce Investment Board , Virginia Highlands Community College,
Hollingsworth and Vose, Titan Wheel , Vanguard Furniture
Affiliate Members:
Tri-County Skill Center, Occupational Enterprises, Inc., United Way Virginia Highlands,
Russell County IDA, Russell County Government, Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, Alliance Engineering, Virginia Economic
Development Partnership-International Trade, Keith Thompson, Dickenson County Board of Supervisors, Genedge Alliance,
Joint IDA of Wythe, New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Area Consortium Board, Mountain Empire Community College,
Allegheny Brokerage Company, Inc., Virginia’s aCorridor, OPX Solutions
Local Government Partners:
Washington County Board of Supervisors and Smyth County Board of Supervisors