Manufacturing Conference This Week - Monday Memo 9/30/24
September 30, 2024
Big Week: ABI Manufacturing Conference/Legends Luncheon Wednesday
As you have read about in the last few editions of this memorandum, two of ABI’s most popular annual events are being combined and will be held this week. The 2024 ABI Iowa Manufacturing Conference will be held at the FFA Enrichment Center on the campus of Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in Ankeny on Wednesday (October 2nd). Register now for this important event at Summary - Iowa Manufacturing Conference & Legends In Manufacturing Awards (cvent.com). The conference will include a luncheon focusing on the annual Legends in Manufacturing Awards.
Over 300 people have already registered for the event, but you can still register and participate by clicking on link above. A fabulous lineup of speakers has been developed for the manufacturing conference. There will be two great keynote addresses. One by former ABI Chair Kirk Tyler (Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Des Moines) and ABI Board Member Rob Feeney(Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Des Moines), who will speak in the morning, and Technology Futurist Jack Shaw, who will speak in the afternoon. Throw in terrific workshops, great information, cool manufacturing tours, and high-value networking and you have a fabulous event. Click on the link above and finalize your plans now to participate.
2024-2025 Leadership Iowa Class to Hold Opening Session in Algona This Week
The initial session of the 2024-2025 Leadership Iowa class will be held later this week in Algona. The class will hear from terrific speakers, such as ABI Chair Chad Reece (Winnebago Industries, Forest City) and ABI Board Member Todd McDonald (ATW Training Solutions, Urbandale), and get to know each other. The class will meet again in November. As members of the board, you will have multiple opportunities to meet the LI class during the coming months. In the meantime, thank you for your support of the LI program.
Business Record Filled with ABI Leaders this week
The Des Moines Business Record is a great ABI member/partner. In this week’s edition, you can read terrific articles involving some fantastic ABI leaders. There is a really great story involving two super ABI members, it features the Sukup Manufacturing Co. acquisition of Ramco Innovations (now known as Sukup Innovations). Sukup President Steve Sukup (Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield), Sukup Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel Emily Schmitt(Sukup Manufacturing Co., Sheffield), and Chief Innovation Officer/Ramco CEO Hank Norem (Sukup Innovations, West Des Moines) are all featured in the story.
In another Business Record article, which shares information from a manufacturing video panel held earlier in the month, three other great ABI leaders are featured. Former ABI Chair Lori Schaefer-Weaton (Agri-Industrial Plastics Company, Fairfield), ABI Board Member Heather Bruce (Osmundson Manufacturing, Perry), and ABI member Luke Mohrhauser (McKee Voorhees & Sease are all highlighted in this story.
You can read the Sukup article for yourself here: A multiplying effect on manufacturing — Made In Iowa (madeiniowabr.com). And you can view the panel discussion here: Made In Iowa (madeiniowabr.com). In the meantime, ABI sends big congratulations and a thank you to these six terrific ABI/Iowa business leaders!
Next Board Meeting November 20th (will be held at ABI); Executive Committee Meets Next Week
ABI Chair Chad Reece (Winnebago Industries, Forest City) is inviting all former chairs and members of the board to participate in the final board meeting of 2024. The board will meet at ABI headquarters in Des Moines' East Village on Wednesday, November 20. You can expect a full agenda. Again, this will be the final board meeting of the calendar year; I hope you can attend. The ABI Executive Committee will hold its monthly meeting by Zoom a week from Wednesday, on October 9.
Attend Employee Ownership Conference October 16th
ABI is a partner in development of the Iowa Employee Ownership Conference. This is the second annual conference, which is led by the Iowa Center for Employee Ownership at the University of Northern Iowa. The conference will be held October 16th at the FFA Enrichment Center at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in Ankeny and you can register and find more information here: Summary - IA-CEO 2nd Annual Employee Ownership Conference (cvent.com). If you are considering transitioning your company to an ESOP or even if you are already an ESOP, you’ll find great information at this conference.
ABI Member Launches New Executive Networking Group
Longtime ABI member Marni Hockenberg (Hockenberg Search, Des Moines) has over three decades of leadership in working as an executive recruiter. In fact, she led a manufacturing networking group in Minneapolis for many years. Marni has now created ExeConnect Iowa, a new invitation-only networking community exclusively for vice president to C-suite level executives in Des Moines and Central Iowa. ExeConnect Iowa’s first event will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 on the afternoon of October 15th in Des Moines. The event will be held in the “In Confidence” speakeasy inside the Hotel Fort Des Moines – a very cool venue. Marni is inviting ABI leaders to attend AND providing a link to register for free. If you are interested, simply reply to this memo and I’ll get you the link and more information.
Iowa Events Center Again Location for Annual ABI Legislative Reception; Registration Available Soon
ABI’s award-winning public policy advocacy is successful for many reasons. One is a terrific staff. Another is a sophisticated array of tools and programs in place to support that work. But the critical reason for our success is you. Your personal relationship with your legislator is vital to ABI’s success.
The association’s second largest event held each year is a great tool to use to help in maintaining that personal relationship. The annual ABI Legislative Briefing and Reception is always a terrific event. Watch for registration information for this event to be available soon. For now, please mark the date on your calendar. The 2024 Reception will be held January 15th.
In the meantime, the big news related to the event is that it will again be held at Des Moines’ Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center. And, parking is plentiful and convenient. Please make plans now to attend.
NAM Report: Production Up, Inventories High
Last week’s Monday Economic Report, published by ABI partner the National Association of Manufacturers, seemed to indicate a steady phase for manufacturing. Headlines include a rise in production (thought that simply seems to mean a return to normal) and news that inventoried goods remain high post-pandemic. As always, if you wish to tread the full report, simply reply to this memo and I’ll get it to you at once.
Birthday Wishes to Kim Augspurger and John Krogman
ABI Board Member Kim Augspurger (Saxton, Des Moines) recently celebrated her birthday and former ABI Board Member John Krogman (Elkhart Plastics, Atlantic) will celebrate his birthday on October 6. Happy birthday and best wishes to Kim and John!
Dennis Murdock Marks Birthday
Former ABI Chair Dennis Murdock (CIPCO, Des Moines-ret.) celebrated his birthday September 27th. ABI sends belated best birthday wishes to Dennis Murdock!
Al Jennings Celebration of Life Wednesday; You are Invited
As I noted in last week’s memorandum, former ABI Chair Al Jennings (EFCO, Des Moines) passed away a week ago yesterday. Mr. Jennings had been battling Alzheimer’s for some time. You can read about his terrific life here: https://www.ilesfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Albert-Al-Laurence-Jennings/Johnston-Iowa/1892608.
Mr. Jennings’ grandson Scott Walter (EFCO, Des Moines), who now leads the family company, has invited Mr. Jennings’ fellow ABI members to attend a Celebration of Life Ceremony at EFCO Wednesday afternoon. You can find more information by using the link above. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Scott and the Jennings Family at this time.
ABI Staff Second to None
People are being exceptionally kind regarding my coming retirement. So much so that I feel quite inadequate when it comes to expressing my gratitude. Gratitude for having had the opportunity to work for the very best people I’ve known and with some terrific colleagues.
A huge failure on my part over the last 19 years is that I have not often enough commended the ABI staff to you. They are great at what they do, they are terrific people, and they all care about you and your business. I mean it when I say I can’t imagine working with better people. I am deeply grateful for that opportunity. Please join me in thanking (in alphabetical order) Nicole Crain, JD Davis, Brad Hartkopf, Olivia Jones, Jane Galloway, Levi Lefebure, Jessi McQuerrey, Holly Mueggenberg, Kelsey O’Connor, Meg Schneider, and Michelle Vollstedt for all they do.