ABI Heads to Fort Dodge - Monday Memo 11/25/19

November 25, 2019

ABI Events Next Week in Fort Dodge

ABI and the ABI Foundation will host two events in Fort Dodge next week on December 5.  The Leadership Iowa class will be in the middle of its next session (read more below).  The LI session and another event will highlight the day. 

The morning of December 5 will see ABI host the next in a series of Connecting Statewide Leaders events.  You can register for the Connecting Statewide Leaders event now at http://www.cvent.com/events/connecting-statewide-leaders/event-summary-e3b7200d1fdc41bda126a27754945b8b.aspx.  

A special appearance by Iowa Department of Education Director Dr. Ryan Wise will highlight the Connecting Statewide Leaders event.  See you in Fort Dodge next week. 

Leadership Iowa Class to Converge on Fort Dodge

Fort Dodge is the site for the third session of the 2019-2020 Leadership Iowa Class.  Class members will meet next week on Thursday and Friday.  In fact, most members of the class will arrive for a special event Wednesday evening.The session will focus on education and a terrific slate of speakers is on tap. 

As always, special thanks go to the Leadership Iowa Board of Governors and to the ABI Foundation Board of Directors for maintaining a terrific LI program.  

State Leaders Will Attend 2020 ABI Legislative Reception; Register Now

Key state leaders such as Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg, and all 150 members of the Iowa General Assembly have been invited to the 2020 ABI Legislative Reception.  As you know, this event is one of the most popular events ABI hosts all year long.  It is likely that over 500 people will attend the event, including more legislators of both parties than at any other similar event.  

The attendance of these state officials is one more confirmation of your importance to Iowa policy makers.  They attend because YOU attend. 

You can register (over 200 of you already have) by clicking on the following link: http://www.cvent.com/events/2020-legislative-briefing-reception/event-summary-2c2f288944e64f1aa787141a79efb869.aspx.  The 2020 ABI Briefing and Reception will be held Wednesday, January 15 at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in downtown Des Moines.  Plenty of convenient parking is available nearby. 

I hope you will attend the reception, which is a very important event.  Of course it is a lot of fun and you’ll see great ABI colleagues from all over Iowa.  Even more vital, however, is your discussion with your local legislators.  Building relationships between legislators and ABI members is what the event is all about.   Your perspective (and that of your employees) is a crucial component in helping Iowa policymakers understand the needs and concerns of business people in our state.  On behalf of our ABI officers, I look forward to seeing you in Des Moines on January 15. 

December Executive Committee Teleconference in Two Weeks; January 15 is Date for Next ABI Board Meeting

The final meeting of the ABI Executive Committee for 2019 is scheduled to be held two weeks from Wednesday, on December 11.  Later next week, committee members will receive the usual packet to help in preparing for the meeting, which will be called to order by ABI Chair Cindy Dietz (Collins Aerospace, Cedar Rapids) at 9:30 a.m. 

The board will meet next month.  The ABI Board of Directors will hold its regularly scheduled January meeting on Wednesday, January 15, 2020.  

Because it falls on the same day as the annual ABI Legislative Reception, the January meeting is typically one of the best-attended of the year.  Please mark your calendars now for January 15. 

NAM Report: Manufacturing Production Down; Today’s Report: Positive News

Last week's Monday Economic Report from the National Association of Manufacturers noted that manufacturing production was down in the Untied States.  Automobile and related production was down 7 percent.  Take that number away and total production would have been up substantially.  The good news is that a number of factors seem to be in place to lead to an increase in total production for November.  

In fact, more positive news was included in today’s Monday Economic Report, which the NAM published a little early (it just hit my email in-basket a few moments ago).  Housing starts are up almost four percent.  Good news for the construction industry, but also good news for manufacturers that supply products to construction firms. 

These reports and others are pointing an improved manufacturing sector in 2020.  If you would like to see either or both of the reports for yourself, please reply to this memo and I will get the information to you at once. 

Leadership Succession Announced at Sukup Manufacturing Co.

Former ABI Chair Charles Sukup (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield) is a well-known and greatly-respected Iowa business leader.  Last week, it was announced that Charles will soon transition from Chair, President, and CEO of the company to Chairman of the Board.  Charles’ brother, Steve Sukup (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield), who has been CFO and Vice President, will become President and CEO.  In his new role, Charles will be a very active ambassador for the company. 

Read about this news here: https://www.sukup.com/News/9287/Sukup-Manufacturing-Co.-Announces-Leadership-Succession.  ABI salutes and congratulates Charles, Steve, and the Sukup Family.  Their leadership of their family company founded over five decades ago has led to continued growth, innovation, and success.  Very best wishes to all involved! 

Annual Shine Bros. Holiday Event is December 13

Each year, the good folks at longtime ABI member company Shine Bros. Corp. host a terrific holiday gathering.  And you, ABI board members and former board chairs, are invited. 

The 2019 event will be held December 13 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at the company’s Spencer headquarters.  Many of you have attended this event in past years and know that it is a great time for fellowship and good cheer.  If you have questions or need information, please contact/RSVP to Vicki at Shine Bros. at (712) 262-5579, extension 113, or vicki@shinebros.com.  In the meantime, thank you to former ABI Chair Toby Shine (Shine Bros. Corp., Spencer) and former ABI Board Member Eva Shine (Shine Bros. Corp., Spencer) for the invitation! 

Mary Andringa Inducted in AEM Hall of Fame

It was exciting to read the news Friday that former ABI Chair Mary Andringa (Vermeer Corporation, Pella) had been inducted into the Association of Equipment Manufacturers Hall of Fame.  Mary was honored for her leadership in the manufacturing industry and for the innovations, ideas, and success she has brought to that industry and to her company.  Read more about this honor here: https://www.aem.org/news/aem-hall-of-fame-inducts-mary-andringa-of-vermeer-corp/?fbclid=IwAR1K-5-mbYwK9tWwD9jONbBkMN2zZ7C-GMcPNqHHe16CisBNc5FxHb5O6rY

Mary is well-deserving of this honor; ABI salutes and congratulates Mary Andringa! 

Ned Stockdale Passes

Many ABI members knew Ned Stockdale.  Ned was the husband of former ABI Chair Joanne Stockdale (Northern Iowa Die-Casting, Lake Park) and was a key part of that business for many years.  I learned that Ned passed away earlier this fall in Spirit Lake.  Read more about his life here: https://turnerfuneralhomes.com/tribute/details/1508/Ned-Stockdale/obituary.html.  ABI sends deepest condolences to the Stockdale Family.