January 2023

THE BAMA BULLETIN

Florida Manufacturing Days at the Capitol

January 23, 2023 

Florida State Capitol

400 S Monroe St, Tallahassee, FL 32399

Maxwell Leadership Conference 2023

January 28, 2023 8:00 AM 

Hillsborough Community College Brandon Campus

10451 Nancy Watkins Drive Tampa, FL 33619

Oldsmar 2023 Economic Summit

January 31, 2023 8:00 AM 

Hampton Inn and Suites

4017 Tampa Road, Oldsmar, FL

General Meeting and Tour of Beckwith Electric

February 02, 2023 4:00 PM 

Beckwith Electric

6190 118th Avenue North Largo, Florida 33773-3724

Manufacturing Member Orientation

February 07, 2023 9:00 AM

Virtual

Associate Member Orientation

February 07, 2023 10:00 AM

Virtual

BAMA Science After Dark at Mosi

February 09, 2023 6:00 AM 

Mosi

4801 East Fowler Avenue Tampa, FL 33617

BAMA General Meeting and Plant Tour - Kemco Systems

February 15, 2023 9:00 AM 

Kemco Systems

11500 47th St, Clearwater, FL 33762

Clay Shoot Fundraiser 2023

February 24, 2023 8:00 AM

Tampa Bay Sporting Clays

10514 Ehren Cutoff, Land O Lakes, FL

Made In Tampa Bay Expo & Job Fair

March 08, 2023 3:00 PM

Hillsborough Community College

4001 W. Tampa Bay Blvd., Tampa FL 33614

1. How long have you been a BAMA member? 

The Pasco EDC has been a member of BAMA for about 6 months.

2. What do you like most about being a BAMA member?

BAMA allows organizations like ours the opportunity to engage with our local manufacturing community so that we can stay on top of any challenges they are facing as well as it gives us the opportunity to celebrate their successes.

3. Tell us about Pasco EDC?

Formed in 1987, the Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) is the lead economic development organization dedicated to the overall growth and prosperity of Pasco County through the development of a sustainable and diversified economy. Pasco EDC is a private, non-profit organization that promotes countywide economic development and continues to be a strong partnership funded by corporate and public investors focused on the economic vitality of Pasco County.

4. What do you consider your greatest accomplishment to date?  

With the Pasco EDC I helped launch the WorkforceCONNECT program. An award-winning initiative that assists Pasco employers engage with local workforce development resources based on their individual needs. You can learn more at www.workforceconnectpasco.com.

5. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Optimism is a big key to success. It is amazing how far a good attitude can take you in life and being intentional about keeping a smile and looking for the best in situations is something that can be easily overlooked in your day-to-day work.

6. What is the most important skill you have developed in your career? 

It sounds simple but it can be difficult, to listen. Often times we want to offer solutions and try to help or offer personal experiences, but if we don't take the time to really listen and understand we might be answering the wrong question altogether.



7. What are your hobbies or interests?

I am a technophile, so I enjoy trying out all the latest technology and gadgets. From drones to virtual reality and everything in between I will give it a try. 

BAMA is partnering with the Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and the City of Oldsmar to bring an Economic Summit to area businesses. This event is designed to be interactive and will kick off with a brief introduction and state of the city report from Mayor, Dan Saracki and City Manager Felicia Donnelly. 

We then move to a segment with guest speaker Dr. Jakub Prokop, Campus Director for the Pinellas Technology College – Clearwater Campus to discuss today’s recruitment challenges. 

The last segment of our summit will be used as a focus group to discuss the current conditions for your business and what resources could be beneficial to your company’s future.

You can sign up for the Economic Summit at utbchamber.com | Events.

As a BAMA manufacturing member, you and all of your employees receive discounts through our BAMA Benefits program. Associate Companies receive discounts for three members. Log into the BAMA website and visit https://www.bama-fl.org/BAMA-Benefits to access the program.

Discounts available for:

• Hotel Engine Hotel Room Rentals
• Enterprise and National Car Rentals
• UPS Shipping
• The GE Appliances Store
• Lenovo
• ODP Business Solutions™

St. Petersburg Collegiate High Schools will open a new academy devoted to biomedical engineering technology at the St. Petersburg College Tarpon Springs Campus in Fall 2023.  



At the academy, students can complete an Associate in Science in Biomedical Engineering Technology – completely free – while earning their high school diploma. The A.S. degree trains students to meet the growing need for biomedical equipment repairers, who maintain the sophisticated medical devices that patients’ lives depend on. 

It was great catching up with everyone at our first Brews with BAMA of 2023 at Southern Brewing & Winery!

Joined Tampa Bay Business leaders and local officials at The 2023 Economic Outlook event hosted by the Tampa Bay Business Journal this morning.

Student manufacturing tours were in full swing this week at Southern Manufacturing Technologies. SMT hosted two groups of students from Leto Senior High School.

Dunedin High School visited Clearwater Gas System as part of our year long education program #MFGDay22

Thank you Mastercut Tool Corp. and the Shaluly Foundation, LLC for presenting BAMA with a check from The 7th Annual Manufacturing 5K Run or Walk for Education! The funds will go towards STEM Education.

We had a great time at the a ASCM Tampa Bay forum 14th annual holiday networking event at the Dunedin country club.

JOB POSTINGS

If you are looking for a rewarding career in the manufacturing industry with ongoing opportunity for career growth and a competitive salary follow our job board. 

As a BAMA member, you are able to post job openings by logging into your online BAMA account, navigating to the job posting page and clicking "Add Post". 

You can also email the job description along with complete contact info to admin@bama-fl.org. Please include any preferred certifications for the job and instructions on how applicants can apply. 

If not a member of BAMA, please consider joining - here is a link to our application.

The Robotics in Manufacturing Fundamentals (RMF) credential, focused on the fundamentals of manufacturing robotics, provides a starting point for career pathways in the field of robotics.

RMF is focused on assessing a candidate’s comprehension of fundamental robotics concepts, and may be used by those currently looking to upskill or reskill into manufacturing careers before pursuing equipment-specific or career pathway-specific training in robotics. The credential can help individuals begin a lifelong career in an industry where there is opportunity for advancement and good-paying jobs.

The industry recognized RMF credential was developed by SME, with two leading organizations in the robotics education area: Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation and FIRST^®.

The RMF credential is ideal for high school and college students, dislocated workers, under-employed individuals, veterans, at-risk youth and others who are seeking new employment in high-demand manufacturing jobs.

With a RMF credential and the fundamental knowledge it represents, a candidate has many options available to them.

Candidates may pursue the RMF credential on their own, work with their local training provider or access Tooling U-SME resources to prepare for the exam.

MANUFACTURING NEWS

• Manufacturers Should Hire Neurodiverse Workers - Here’s Why and How

• Creators Wanted Gets Big Results



• How Manufacturers Can Leverage Adaptive Skills

Michael Shaluly

President

Mastercut Tool Corp.

“We were searching for ways to engage with local manufacturers, and BAMA more than delivered. We have found local suppliers for key items, enhanced our visibility in the community, and along the way, we have developed great relationships through the many and varied BAMA activities. We feel fortunate to have such a great organization to support manufacturing in our area.”

Do you know a leader in manufacturing who could benefit by being part of our association? Membership in a manufacturing association offers so many benefits and will keep members knowledgeable about important, ever-changing issues, trends, and legislation within the industry. The most popular benefit our members rave about is our networking events and tours at local manufacturing facilities. The best part is, over 70% of the attendance at these events is made up of other manufacturers who share best practices and strategies that are working for them.

THANK YOU CORPORATE SPONSORS

Take a moment to learn more about our annual sponsors by visiting their websites.