The American Mold Builders Association is rolling out its new long-term strategy for members, stressing networking and benchmarking activities that can help toolmakers keep pace with the global economy.
AMBA, based in Rolling Meadows, Ill., has been assessing its strategies and direction for more than five months, working with consulting group Harbour Results Inc. of Berkley, Mich., to ensure the 35-year-old organization will be vital for coming generations of mold-making companies.
Those shifts include new programs designed to help members reduce costs and increase efficiency through networking, benchmarking studies and cooperative efforts such as pooling their purchasing power.
The association has also brought in First Resource Inc. of Indianapolis to oversee the organizational changes, with Managing Director Kym Conis working directly with AMBA on the shift.
“Our goal is to provide more and better resources for our members,” Conis said in a Jan. 24 telephone interview.
First Resource is headed by Troy Nix, who is also executive director of the Manufacturers Association for Plastic Processors, which stresses the lessons business owners can learn from each other.
AMBA President Mike Armbrust, owner of Mako Mold Corp., said First Resource provides unique services to U.S.-based manufacturers, and it seemed a good match to bring in a company with a track record of providing value-added services to members.
The new direction is also aimed at providing specific goals for AMBA that its members will be able to take advantage of, especially as tooling companies change hands between generations in an owner's family, or are sold to new owners, Conis said.
AMBA will roll out details of its new programs and services during its annual convention in Las Vegas in March.