by Dianna Brodine, managing editor
The American Mold Builder

The American Mold Builders Association (AMBA) has committed to a significant investment in the future of the industry through the creation of the American Mold Manufacturing Advancement Fund (AMMA). The association set aside $100,000 for the first year of the program, and initial grants in the amount of $60,000 have been awarded. A second round of applications for funding will be solicited in the fall.

AMMA fund aims to spur industry growth

The purpose of the fund, according to the application available to AMBA member companies, is to support programs and projects that fall within three primary categories: training, advocacy/industry promotion and research and development.

“We want to encourage and reward member companies that are engaging in their communities,” said AMBA Managing Director Kym Conis. “As workforce development is a primary focus, it’s critical that we invest in our members so they can support local programs to increase exposure to the mold building industry.”

Examples of funding areas to be considered included apprenticeship programs, capital equipment installations and software upgrades in educational institutions, career fairs, promotional materials and partnerships with other industry participants to create a benefit to the industry as a whole.

Award amounts ranged from $1,000-$10,000, most with one-time funding intentions, but multi-year projects also were considered. The grants are available only to AMBA members.

Applicants were asked to provide in-depth information on the proposed program and how it would support one of the three pillars of the fund within their own communities. Beyond methodologies, significance and expected outcomes, AMBA member companies also were asked to describe a planned evaluation process to ensure the funds are used effectively.

“AMMA was created because the AMBA Board of Directors felt a responsibility to support our members’ efforts to promote and grow our industry,” said Michael Bohning, owner and CEO of Creative Blow Mold Tooling and immediate past president of the AMBA Board of Directors. “The goal is to reinvest in our industry through the specific efforts of members that already have programs in place or are developing programs to promote the mold manufacturing industry through education, advocacy or research.”

First AMMA recipients named

Response to the original grant application period was overwhelming – a testament to AMBA members’ excitement about increasing the opportunities for young people entering the moldmaking trade. A committee carefully evaluated applications based on established criteria, and eight companies were selected for funding in the initial round. A second round of applications will be solicited this fall for another $40,000 in AMMA awards.

“Moving forward, I expect to see an increase in the number of member companies that submit applications for grant awards,” said Bohning. “I also see the good works that are being supported by AMMA funds boosting the profile and image of the AMBA and what we are doing, as an association, to grow our industry.”

Member companies submitted proposals for a range of purposes, including offsetting job shadowing costs, funding transportation for Manufacturing Day 2017, installing a CNC machine within a high school and more. Descriptions are as follows:

Prodigy Mold & Tool, Inc.: Southern Indiana Career & Technical Center
The Precision Machine Program (PMP) within the Southern Indiana Career & Technical Center will receive funding for its computerized machining program to upgrade software, such as Mastercam, and upgrade existing equipment, such as Haas and Prototrak. Promotional materials also will be created.

M.R. Mold & Engineering Corp.: Manufacturing Day 2017
Funding will support transportation for students from neighboring communities to tour M.R. Mold on Manufacturing Day, to be held October 6, 2017. Funds will support 10 classes of students, introducing a new generation to manufacturing and mold building as a career choice.

Westminster Tool, Inc.: Makerspace Education
Westminster Tool and Moosup Elementary School are forming a partnership to bring Makerspace Education to the school, an enrichment program that integrates science, literacy, writing and math into hands-on classroom learning for students in grades kindergarten through third grade.

TK Mold & Engineering, Inc.: Romeo Machine Tool Program
Grant funding will be used to update classroom materials for the Romeo Engineering and Technical Center program, a part of Romeo High School. In addition, promotional materials will be created to advertise the program and host an open house to promote the program to parents of future students.

Superior Tooling, Inc.: North Carolina Triangle Apprenticeship Program
Funds will support the purchase of a 3D printer to begin training apprentices within the North Carolina Triangle Apprenticeship Program on its use and application in the moldmaking industry. Additional classes in CNC programming and Megatronics also will be supported.

Extreme Tool and Engineering, Inc.: Northwoods Manufacturing Outreach
Northwoods Manufacturing is the recipient of an AMMA award, which will be matched by Extreme Tool and Engineering, to establish a manufacturing outreach program at its local high school promoting mold manufacturing, not only to students but to adults in the community as well.

Eifel Mold & Engineering: Southwest Macomb Technical Education Consortium
A partnership between DMG Mori and the Southwest Macomb Technical Education Consortium at Lincoln High School will benefit through the installation of a CNC milling machine, enabling young adults to be trained on industry-standard equipment in the manufacturing and CAD classrooms.

Century Die Company, LLC: Mold Maker Professional for a Day
Funding will help support moldmaking and skilled trades, as well as attract future apprentices, through a program with local high schools. Throughout the year, students in grades 7 through 12 have weekly opportunities to job shadow and discover what a skilled career looks like in a modern manufacturing facility.

Funding the next generation

“We are very grateful to receive the AMMA grant money,” explained Rick Hecker, president of Eifel Mold & Engineering. “This is a huge boost to Warren Lincoln High School’s CTE Program and will affect hundreds of students, which brings capable new employees to the moldmaking industry.”

“We are extremely honored to be recognized by the AMBA for the work that Century does in educating our youth about the great career opportunities available in manufacturing, especially in moldmaking,” said Tim Myers, general manager for Century Die Company, LLC. “This grant will help us continue to expand the program so we can engage more youth and ultimately strengthen our industry.”

Darrin Schmitt, owner of Prodigy Mold & Tool, echoed the sentiments: “I want to thank the AMBA for awarding this $10,000 grant to the Southern Indiana Career & Technical Center Precision Machining program. The support for educating and training the next generation of skilled craftsmen/women is greatly appreciated!”