Think all credit is frozen? Think again…

Lad Daniels

The economic recovery that supposedly began several quarters ago is much slower and will be much more protracted than any of us anticipated a year ago. I recently surveyed a number of our members. The results indicated that very few members have loosened the purse strings for capital investment or for hiring permanent employees. There is a belief that companies will not be able to defer capital investment decisions much longer. This is due to wear and tear on existing equipment, technical advances, and need for increased productivity to remain competitive.

A major handicap to purchase of plant and equipment is the tightening credit guidelines from traditional lenders coupled with a weakening in the financial sector, particularly among community banks. We do not anticipate a rapid change in these conditions.

We know you need money. Where can you and other manufacturers go to secure financing for their necessary replacement and expansion needs? FCMA has scheduled a workshop for Wednesday, May 11 to introduce the SBA 504 Loan Program to our membership. Many businesses have been reluctant to consider SBA because of its bureaucratic structure and the more strict underwriting criteria including loan limits.

The workshop is to introduce the new, more business friendly and responsive SBA. Among the changes are: an increase in the loan amount, an increase in the SBA guarantee, and a more streamlined underwriting process. The SBA program is tailor made for manufacturers.

Kristen Tackett, Loan Officer at Florida First Capital Finance, who has extensive knowledge of Northeast Florida, will be joined by Rose Fletcher, Senior VP of BBVA Compass in presenting this workshop. Testimonials will also be given by borrowers that have used SBA.

Financing in today’s market is difficult and manufacturers need to be aware of every possible alternative to help satisfy your monetary needs. I encourage you to attend this workshop to evaluate this source of financing.

Welcome to…

Aegis Fire Protection Systems
Contact: Allen Andone, President-AFIS
Phone: (904) 215-9669
156 Industrial Loop S., Orange Park, FL 32073

…primary supplier and fabricator of fire protection systems and integrated aftermarket repair and inspection services for extinguisher, alarm, and sprinkler systems.

Sponsor: George Robbins, Vistage Florida

BIS Frucon Engineering
Contact: Tom Buchmiller, Business Development Manager
Phone: (314) 413-4307
4019 Woodcock Drive, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32207

…a full service provider of consulting engineering and architectural services for project owners, contractors, and major equipment suppliers in government and institutional markets.

Sponsor: Mike Templeton, Renessenz

Omni Hotels
Contact: Jeanne Galvin, Corporate Sales Manager
Phone: (904) 791-4841
245 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202

…four-diamond hotel specializing in corporate business travel and groups.

Sponsor: FCMA

Yotta280
Contact: Reggie Rogers, Executive VP, Sales & Marketing
Phone: (904) 674-2110
9310 Old Kings Road, South, Suite 401, Jacksonville, FL 32257

…provides disk-to-disk backup technology that powers software and state-of-the-art online services to automate customers’ data protection processes, enabling them to conform to industry-specific compliance and security regulations.

Sponsor: Mike Templeton, Renessenz

New Website Coming Soon


FCMA is a driving force in manufacturing and in the forefront for many important issues facing the industry. To continue to be effective, we strive to get our message out using the latest technology. Using the newest tools available, we plan to improve communication with our members, prospective members and the business community. We also continue to provide a vehicle to keep our members connected with each other through enhanced social networking channels.
To accomplish these goals, we have begun the process for 1) www.fcmaweb.com redesign, 2) a new logo, and 3) a new tagline which demonstrates our allegiance with the logistics industry.

These new communication tools are in the process of being completed. You’ll be pleased with the results. Stay tuned for the official roll-out later this month.

Tallahassee Visit

Mark your calendars for our annual lobbying trip during the Legislative Session! We will be walking the halls April 5 and 6. If you have not had the opportunity to visit our state capitol, please consider joining us.

Annual Golf Outing

It’s not too late to join in and support the FCMA Golf Outing for the UNF Engineering Scholarship Fund for April 15 at St. Johns Golf and Country Club.

We need single players [FCMA will pair you up to network and have a fun filled morning golfing]. We have a few more foursome spots available. A few more hole sponsors are available as well.

Still looking for goody bag items; door prizes; and silent auction items. Click here for more details.

Thank you to the following SPONSORS:

Signature Sponsor: Yotta280
Corporate Sponsor: Solantic
Hole in One Sponsor: Peak 10
Bag Sponsor: Spectrum Logistics
Lunch Sponsor: Corporate Traffic
Breakfast Sponsor: The John Stokes Company
Photo Sponsor: Energy Reduction Solutions

OSHA Update Workshop

Presenter: Eric Peterson, Compliance Specialist, Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Where: Golder Associates (9428 Baymeadows Road, 5th Floor, Jacksonville, FL 32256)
When: Wednesday, April 27, 2011, 7:30 – 9:30AM
Cost: $35 Members / $50 Non-Members, Includes continental breakfast
RSVP: Email Sherri

SBA 504 Loan Program Workshop - May 11

Think all credit is frozen? Think again… Economic recovery is slow and it seems there is nowhere to turn. Commercial lenders are faced with tightened credit guidelines, and some have quit making small business loans altogether. Come hear about this little known yet powerful financing alternative and learn how your company can benefit. Click here for information!

MAF Events in May

Manufacturers Association of Florida (MAF) is teaming up with the Volusia Manufacturers Association to bring you two back to back events. Both events will take place at Daytona State College and agendas are posted on their website with registration materials. Registration is now open so feel free to register online at www.mafmfg.com.

Legislative Session Post Session Briefing and Volusia Plant Tours - May 18

Discussion Forum on Educating and Certifying Florida’s Manufacturing Workforce - May 19

April 25 at The Ronco Group

Join us on April 25 from 4:00-6:00pm at The Ronco Group, located at 3400 Agricultural Center Drive in St. Augustine. Ronco owns and operates several companies that provide industrial and commercial contracting services and manufacturing facilities.


A special thanks to Jacksonville Aviation Authority for hosting our March 28 meeting at Cecil Airport. JAA is a quasi-governmental agency which was created by a special act of the Florida Legislature. Its mission is to manage and develop the community’s publicly owned aviation facilities.

M.O.N.E.Y.

FCMA’s first Members Only Networking Event for You (M.O.N.E.Y.) of 2011, held at the Jacksonville Suns Ball Field, was a major success. Admission was only $5 and all of that money went to awarding cash prizes to those attending. Our next M.O.N.E.Y. event will be in June.
           

Thank you to our sponsors!

Main Metal Recycling
Linda Watkins
(904) 354-3708

Randstad
Mark McKenzie
(904) 288-6437

Waste Management
Julie Radigan
(904) 370-1907


Miller Electric Company
Ron Autrey
(904) 388-8000

(No video. Not present at the event)

Health Care Update Workshop

Laura Miller Andrew with Smith Gambrell and Russell revisited our group to give the latest update on Healthcare Reform. Several changes mandated by the Health Care Reform Legislation became effective on January 1, 2011 for employers who have calendar-year group health plans. The 2012 presidential election will also be a determining factor for the future of the health care reform legislation - If President Obama is re-elected, implementation is likely to move forward. Contact the FCMA office for more information.

Special thanks to Golder Associates for hosting this workshop.

Lobbying 101 Workshop

Great workshop and primer for our Tallahassee lobbying trip was held March 3. Participants got excellent pointers from the pros! Special thanks to Golder Associates for hosting this workshop.

Internet Strategy Workshop


Nelson Bruton of Interchanges (pictured right with PR Committee Chair Jane Bachtell) presented a workshop on March 3 about how companies can develop an internet strategy to help grow their business. Attendees were given the opportunity to have their company websites critiqued by Nelson, who gave them tips on how to improve the appearance and functionality of their websites.

Special thanks to Golder Associates for hosting this workshop.


This month’s guest was Austin Cassidy, Editor of the Jacksonville Observer and former FCMA staff member. He gave us an election outlook for the primary and briefed us on other “insider” issues. Special thanks to our host Brown & Brown Insurance.

EHS at Anheuser-Busch - The Committee had a great experience at Anheuser-Busch this month. It was our first in our quarterly series of site visits to share best safety practices. This meeting focused on Confined Space Safety and we were privileged to see A-B’s emergency response teams training on the plant floor! See pictures…

The first class of the year was held at WhiteWave Foods. Sessions included personality assessments, teambuilding exercises and financial planning. Not only did they get to sample WhiteWave’s products, but they got a great tour as well. Many thanks to Milton J. Wood Company for sponsoring breakfast, and WhiteWave Foods for hosting the day and providing lunch!


Fleet Readiness Center Southeast…grows military sensor overhaul work. Click here to read the article from the JBJ.

Gerdau Ameristeel…donated about 2,600 pounds of rebar to the ABC television show “Extreme Makeover Home Edition.” The steel was used for the foundation of a 3,400-square-foot home built for a family in northern Clay County.

Harden…hired Jennifer Woods as director of risk management in its commercial insurance division.

Henry’s Hickory House…makers of frozen Bubba Bugers will reopen the Times Grill restaurants in Jacksonville into a new fast-casual restaurant concept.

Holland & Knight LLP…partner George Gabel was appointed a Commissioner to the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission.
Holland & Knight is also raising money for the American Red Cross to aid in relief efforts in the wake of the devastating natural disasters in Japan. Each of the firm’s offices will raise money through individual contributions. The first $100,000 will be matched by the firm.

Jacksonville Lean Consortium… would like to invite FCMA members to two special workshops: Lean Healthcare with presenter John Toussaint, MD in May 3 and Building a Dream Team Culture: People Powered Lean with presenter Joe Barto on May 5.

Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce…hired Esther Bullard as director of sales and Michael Dryden as leadership level account manager.

Jimerson & Wilson, P.A.…has relocated its offices to the nearby Riverside office building, Riverside Center, to better accommodate the growing needs of its practice. The new address is 701 Riverside Park Place, Suite 302, Jacksonville, FL, 32204. All phone and fax numbers remain the same.

McGuireWoods LLP…named Eric Bilik office managing partner of the Jacksonville office. Bilik has been with the firm nearly 20 years.

Penser SC…was featured in an article in the JBJ about implementing cultural change and a marketing plan to take Penser SC to next level. Click here to read the article.

Pine Castle…named Beverly Pascoe to its board of directors. Pascoe is an attorney at Rogers Towers PA, another FCMA member.

Rayonier…has sold 3,088 acres of land along the Clearwater River in Washington to the Nature Conservancy with the goal of bringing salmon back to historical levels of abundance.

Saft…has decided to move its North American headquarters from North Carolina to Jacksonville, bringing seven more jobs to the area and positioning the city for future growth.

University of North Florida…banner centers to boost work force training. Click here to read the article.

WorkSource…Vice President of Communications, Candace Moody was named Corporate Leader of the Year in the 2011 Women in Business Awards.

  • Thrasher highlights three key business issues - “Port funding, education reform and cleaning up the St. Johns River were at the top of state Sen. John Thrasher’s agenda when he met with the Jacksonville Business Journal last week.”
  • New doors open to NE Fla. companies in Brazil - “Two new outlets are available to Northeast Florida companies looking to increase the business they do in Brazil or get a foot in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets.”

YOU need photos for your marketing, THEY need locations for their photo shoots

Here’s an opportunity to get professional photography of your people and/or facilities at no charge. Golden Pixels LLC is a producer of stock photographs for distribution worldwide, and they seek access and use of your manufacturing facilities to do their photo productions. In return, you can use these photos for your marketing needs. Contact FCMA office for a brochure, or contact Golden Pixels directly by calling Tara Ferreira at (904) 742-6352.

Click here to see sample photos from Golden Pixels.

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