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AMBA Government Relations
Call for Action: Letter Writing Campaign Needed - 11/23/09
Dear AMBA member:
Please personalize and send the following letter regarding the healthcare reform bills to your state Senators and Representatives.
(Download the letter here, or cut & paste the letter below.)
This is an important initiative needed to insure the healthcare reform bills do not harm small manufacturers and business.
Thank you for supporting our industry!
Melissa J. Millhuff
Executive Director
American Mold Builders Association
AMBA Completes Successful Fall Conference in Washington, D.C.
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AMBA Carolinas Delegation, (left to right)
Tim Pratt of Richmond Tooling;
Dave Bowers of JMMS, Inc.;
Scott Phipps of United Tool & Mold;
Congressman Patrick McHenry of North Carolina;
Nika Bailey of United Tool & Mold;
Robbie Earnhardt of Superior Tooling;
Roger McGinnis of Richmond Tooling and
Steve Rotman of Ameritech Die & Mold.
Photo courtesy of Creative Technologies, 2009.
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The American Mold Builders Association completed a successful 2009 Fall Conference in Washington, D.C., as AMBA members paved the way for the mold manufacturing industry's continued push for fair trade, incentives to retain -- and regain -- U.S. manufacturing, and other issues of importance to U.S. mold manufacturers.
The AMBA Fall Conference attracted 57 members from across the country, who met on September 14 and 15, in pre-arranged meetings with 56 Senators and Representatives from various states and districts of the members in attendance, as well as those Congressional members who serve on committees important to trade and other issues.
Special guest speakers Alan Tonelson of the U.S. Business & Industry Council, and Lloyd Wood of the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition, kicked off the conference with statistics and other information helpful to AMBA members as they approached Senators and Representatives with the issues. Tonelson noted in his report that the recession has hit manufacturing especially hard. "Whereas the entire economy grew by 0.74% in real terms in 2009, the non-bubbled manufacturing sector shrank by 2.74%," Tonelson said. "Manufacturing's output losses so far in this recession (down 16.70%) already exceed even those of the 1973-75 recession (15.32%) -- formerly the worst U.S. downturn since the Great Depression."
Lloyd Wood of the AMTAC, whose goal is to preserve and promote domestic manufacturing, concurred with Tonelson. "Some things out here [in U.S. manufacturing] are truly shocking," he said. "U.S. manufacturing never came out of the 2000 recession and it was made even worse a year ago. We produce less than we did 10 years ago. That's absolutely stunning."
Tonelson added, "The health of the U.S. mold industry is an indicator of the health of the U.S. manufacturing sector overall. You are all at ground zero of the efforts to strengthen U.S. manufacturing," he added. Wood noted that without the buying power of the U.S. consumer, developing nations would have few places to export their goods. "The U.S. is the goose laying the golden egg for China," he said.
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AMBA Michigan Delegation (left to right)
Bill Berry of Die-Tech & Engineering;
Congressman Fred Upton of Michigan;
Sandra Berry of Die-Tech & Engineering;
Hank Baxter of Miller Mold;
Todd Finley of Commercial Tool Group;
Andy Baker of Byrne Tool;
Dave LaGrow of Maximum Mold, and
John Blundy of Incoe.
Photo courtesy of Creative Technologies, 2009. | Steve Rotman, President of the AMBA and President of Ameritech Die & Mold Inc., (Mooresville, NC), noted that he's been fortunate to achieve the American Dream and fulfill his entrepreneurial spirit. "For those coming up behind my generation, it's becoming harder than ever for them to sustain that American Dream, take the risks and become successful," Rotman said. "That's why we're here in Washington, D.C. - to let our elected officials know what's happening to the American Dream, and why we need to keep the entrepreneurial spirit alive: because it's the life blood of this country."
AMBA members went in teams to visit their assigned Senators and Representatives, and everyone felt that it was a tremendous effort that was well worth the time spent. Tim Peterson of Industrial Molds Group (Rockford, IL) was impressed with the meetings he and his team had with Congressional people. "It was useful to talk to them and present our issues," he said. "It's important to really know who's on your side and who's not, and who can be swayed, and know not to waste time on those who can't."
Rotman said his group had a total of nine meetings representing the Southeast. "We found great discussions from both sides of the political spectrum, and felt that we were able to articulate the concerns of plastics manufacturing, moldmaking, small businesses, and the overall concern of how to get the economy going again. Everyone in our group feels that the time they invested was well worth it, and they hope to participate again."
AMBA Executive Director Melissa Millhuff, added that being in the Nation's Capital is exciting. "Talking to congressional people is what makes a difference for U.S. manufacturing and especially for our companies," she said.
Millhuff and Rotman both expressed the need for all U.S. mold manufacturers to become involved with the AMBA and to work with the organization as the AMBA continues to push for fair trade, lower business taxes, affordable healthcare with choice, and other issues important to mold manufacturers.
"With all of the changes that have been done, or are being considered, there has been no time like the present to get engaged and active," said Rotman. "Without public participation, our politicians are not sure what we like and what we don't like. The experience continues to bring out how proud and blessed we are to have the freedoms we enjoy every day. To see our government up close and personal is an experience I will never forget."
GM has filed a Motion for Sale of Property - Bankruptcy Information - 6/5/09
From David Lefere, a Michigan Attorney specializing in Mold/Tool Liens
Tool and Die Companies,
As you are no doubt aware, on June 1, 2009, General Motors Corporation (“GM”) and many of its affiliates filed petitions in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York seeking relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. While I do not know all of the ramifications of the Bankruptcy filing on your business, there are a few important aspects that you should be aware of and consider at this time.
First, the bankruptcy’s automatic stay generally prohibits the enforcement of a lien against GM without a proper motion filed with the bankruptcy court.
Second, if your company has a direct contract with GM I would advise you to contact me so that we can discuss the expected course of action. I would expect that you would get some sort of Notice/Letter from GM that talks about the procedures of GM accepting or rejecting the contract.
Third, GM has filed a Motion for Sale of Property that may attempt to sell tooling free and clear of liens. Any and all objections to the Sale will need to be filed by June 19, 2009. Chrysler filed a similar Motion in its bankruptcy. I filed numerous objections in the Chrysler bankruptcy court; all of the objections were resolved by adding language to the Chrysler Sale Order that protects tooling liens (Click here for: Chrysler – Insert to Sale Order re Supplier Issues). I am currently reviewing the GM Sale Motion and Order documents to see if Objections will be needed in order to get the same language inserted. Ultimately, if your company has any tooling for GM that has not been paid, whether the tooling has been shipped or it is still in production, it may be necessary to preserve your rights in the bankruptcy court.
Finally, if you are currently working on tooling that is for GM, either via a direct contract with GM or through a GM supplier, you should be analyzing what program the tooling is for and the stability of the supplier that you are working through.
David S. Lefere
Bolhouse, Vander Hulst, Risko, Baar & Lefere, PC
Phone: 616-531-7711
davidl@bolhouselaw.com
AMBA Government Activity - North American Automotive Tooling Coalition - 4/9/09
 AMBA Members and Partners:
We are working with the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA), the Canadian Tooling and Machining Association (CTMA), the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) and a group of tool, die and mold companies that are not members of a formal association (Independents) and have recently formed a coalition which we refer to as The North American Automotive Tooling Coalition ("The Tooling Coalition").
The primary purpose of the Tooling Coalition is to assure long term viability of the North American tooling sector, a critical supplier in the automotive supply chain for the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as well as key supplier to manufacturers of equipment and supplies for the military, medical sector, energy industry, agriculture and construction industry and virtually every other manufactured product in North America.
Tooling is where manufacturing innovation is often derived. Historically the industry has been fragmented
and we believe that it is important to review and discuss the issues currently facing our industry, as one group and present a strong voice on behalf of the tooling sector in working to develop resolution for the following key issues:
1. Identify, discuss and develop a course of action addressing the implications of a Chapter 11 filing by GM or Chrysler on the tool, die, mold and machining sector (Tier 2 tooling suppliers);
2. The need to establish "reasonable commercial payment terms" for tooling by reducing project contract cradle-to-grave time periods for tooling projects, which provides
improved access to working capital for the tooling manufacturers and improved liquidity;
3. The need to develop a mechanism to ensure "safe passage" of funds intended for tooling payments from the OEM thorough the Tier 1 parts manufacturer to the Tier 2 tool builder;
4. The need to reduce direct tooling acquisition costs for General Motors and Chrysler to assist them maintaining a competitive position in the global auto industry; North American Automotive Tooling Coalition Page 2 20/04/2009
5. The need to reduce/eliminate/mitigate costs associated with tooling during the Chapter 11 filings of financially challenged Tier 1 parts manufacturers who serve as a middleman between the vehicle manufacturer and the tooling manufacturer for tooling acquisition.
The Tooling Coalition has drafted a letter and mailed it to the Ron Bloom, the Senior Advisor on the Presidential Task Force in Washington, D.C.
Click here to view the full letter.
Thank you,
Melissa Millhuff
Executive Director
AMBA
AMBA Sends Letter Requesting Meeting with Chairman of General Motors - 3/19/09
Click here to view the letter.
Your Immediate Action Needed - Moldmaker Payment Issue!
I am encouraging you to download a letter (click here for letter) that we are asking you to send to your state Senators and House of Representative members. The AMBA is supporting a national effort to create a proposal for government loan proceeds to OEMs. While taxpayer loans have been extended through the government, we are requesting the Tool and Die manufacturers be paid in a "commercially reasonable manner" and to create a mechanism to ensure that OEM tooling disbursements make it down to the tool source. Past payment terms have made it difficult for many moldmakers to take jobs in the automotive sector. By creating such terms this can potentially open up new market opportunities for all AMBA members. Review the proposal for government loan proceeds to OEMs, click here.
Whether this truly impacts your current business model or not, we need to ask you to support this for the good of the AMBA. The more politicians that hear this message, the better the opportunity we have to get this intiative recognized and enacted. We can make this happen…the Canadian Moldmakers Association already has included this information inside their government bailout. If this type of information can get to our legislators, we really can show that yet another unfair trade imbalance exists through unfair comptetition right across our northern border.Please take a moment to read the downloadable letter. To email this letter to a senator, simply email it to senator@lastname.senate.gov. So if your Senator's name was Bob Jones, it would be senator@jones.senate.gov. The letter will need to be faxed to your House members. Please enter this information on page one as it applies to your state, enter your company name on page one, and sign the letter on page four. When complete, please email and fax the letter to the state Senate and House members listed.
The AMBA needs strong participation in this and we appreciate your assistance in this effort. Please feel free to conttact me with any questions regarding this intiative. Thank you so much! Download a copy of the U.S. Tooling Proposal Talking Points.
Melissa J. Millhuff
Executive Director
American Mold Builders Association
AMBA Joins New Coalition to Fix America’s Economy
At a press conference on Oct. 2 on the Cannon Terrace of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Cannon House Office Building , Lloyd Wood of the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition (AMTAC) announced the formation of a new coalition of business, labor, and agriculture groups that will adopt a policy platform with the goal of fixing flaws in America ’s economy. The AMBA has joined in this effort.
In outlining the coalition’s goals, Wood said, “In an effort to fix the flaws in U.S. economic policy that significantly have contributed to the current financial crisis, 33 national, state and local business, labor and agriculture organizations along with 73 individual companies, have created a new, non-partisan ad hoc ‘Coalition to Fix America’s Economy.’” The coalition’s sole purpose is to press candidates for public office to endorse and support its one-page statement of principles/policy platform called “Fixing America’s Economy: Ensuring Good Jobs, Prosperity & Security.”
The AMBA Board of Directors were on hand for the press conference, including Melissa Millhuff , Robbie Earnhardt (Superior Tooling), Mike Armbrust (Mako Mold and AMBA VP), Dan Glass (Strohwig Industries), Scott Phipps (United Tool & Mold) Donna Pursell (Prestige Mold) and Mike Walter (MET Plastics). AMBA President Steve Rotman spoke on behalf of the U.S. mold manufacturing industry about how unfair current trade laws are hurting AMBA members and U.S. manufacturing in general. Rotman’s speech was carried on C-Span and was also featured on Lou Dobbs on Friday, October 3, and in a featured article in the Los Angeles Times newspaper.
CLICK HERE - view the C-Span Press Conference (click link, then click red circle to start video.)
The one-page statement outlines the problems facing U.S. manufacturing and the economy, noting that “ America ’s international economic policies threaten our prosperity and national security. These policies have handicapped domestic manufacturers, service providers, farmers, and workers, leading to massive trade deficits, stagnant wages, the loss of millions of manufacturing jobs, a dangerous erosion of our industrial base, a long-term decline in our food and agriculture surplus, and the unprecedented transfer of trillions of dollars of American wealth overseas.” Click here to see the one-page platform and signatories.
U.S. Manufacturing & the Global Economy
Participating in the global economy while making every effort to strengthen and maintain our manufacturing base in the U.S. requires a unique balancing act. AMBA is committed to helping its member companies find optimum ways to succeed in business and be competitive in the global market place.
We believe that the key to our success as an industry - and as individual member companies - is implementing sound business practices, strategic marketing planning and sales, and continued dedication to providing excellent customer service and the highest-quality products - all critical to sustaining a strong manufacturing base in the U.S.
New Trade Policy Needed to Restore Health of U.S. Manufacturing
Domestic manufacturing is mired in the midst of a crisis unprecedented since the Great Depression. Deeply flawed U.S. trade policy is the single most important root cause of the illness, undermining U.S. manufacturing competitiveness on a global basis.
Absent a rational U.S. trade policy, U.S. manufacturing should be experiencing the best of times. Consider the following. Since 1950, U.S. Gross Domestic Production (GDP) has grown 550 percent in inflation-adjusted terms while the U.S. population has doubled from.....(read more).
USBIC - United States Business & Industry Council
The AMBA has joined the United States Business & Industry Council (USBIC). The USBIC has been the vanguard of business-related issues, as well as foreign policy and defense issues, for the past 70 years. Beginning with its founding in 1933, USBIC has served as the principal voice for America’s domestic businesses, most of them family-owned or closely held. USBIC seeks to expand the domestic economy, with particular emphasis on U.S. manufacturing, processing, and fabricating industries, and through the resulting growth, to extend a higher standard of living to all Americans. In the past 12 months, USBIC’s current and immediate past Chairmen of the Board, other members, and the Washington staff, have testified before the U.S.-China Commission and various Congressional Committees on national policy issues ranging from China trade and currency manipulation to the U.S. auto industry crisis and the disappearance of America’s printed circuit board industry. USBIC research on trade flows and manufacturing activity is also heavily relied upon by many Congressional offices and federal agencies.
State of the Industry & Business Conditions
As the voice of the American mold building industry, AMBA keeps current on industry conditions, specifically through our quarterly Business Forecast Surveys that help us keep our finger on the pulse of mold manufacturing. This survey also provides information to industry trade publications and other interested parties who look to the AMBA for industry statistics. This valuable information provides a picture of the state of the industry, its challenges as well as its successes and increased productivity through the implementation of technology and lean manufacturing techniques.
Write to Your Elected Officials
Identify and contact your elected government officials (federal & local) quickly and easy via email at http://www.congress.org/. This website is a "one-stop-shop" where one can identify their Congressional representatives; research Congressional voting records; learn about the issues of the day; and send e-mail directly to Congress. Constituents can even opt to have their e-mail message hand-delivered to their Representative or Senator's office on Capitol Hill - all without ever leaving their computer.
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