September - Products/Services - Midwest Manufacturers' Association

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Arrowhead
Manufacturers & Fabricators Association Magazine
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AMFA is a proud member of
Midwest Manufacturers’ Association

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CONTENTS
September 2012
TALK
3 Featured Member:
CAST Corporation
5 AMFA General Meetings
6 MMA Autumn Golf Social
8 New Member Corner
9 AMFA and IRRRB to Exhibit
at FabTech Expo
11 AMFA-ET Golf Social Recap
14 Grow Minnesota!
17 Membership Directory
AMFA
AMFA Shoptalk
Advertising Rates
www.amfa-mn-wi.org
Toll Free: 877-330-2632
midwest@runestone.net
AMFA Mission:
AMFA is a member driven organization
helping to strengthen and
grow the manufacturing and fabrication
industries in Northeastern
Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin.
Shoptalk: Member Ad Rates
one six twelve
month months months
1/8 page $30 $125 $200
1/4 page $50 $225 $375
1/2 page $85 $400 $675
Full page $150 $700 $1200
A bonus is offered for members who purchase advertising
space at the time of their membership renewal: Save ten
percent on the prices listed above.
Fees for nonmembers to advertise in Shoptalk will be determined
by the AMFA Marketing/Public Relations Committee
on a case-by-case basis.
SEPTEMBER 2012 SHOPTALK Page 2

Featured Member:
CAST Corporation
The AMFA featured member this month is CAST Corporation.
Located in Hibbing, MN, CAST Corporation has a
unique business model with three indirectly related specialties:
manufacturing tooling for foundries, reselling castings,
and production machining.
CAST Corporation was founded in 1995 by Tim Bungarden,
current owner and President, and a partner who is now deceased.
The company operated
for ten years from a
rented facility in Buhl, MN,
with a focus on building tooling
for foundries. The decision
to service the foundry
industry was a natural one
for Bungarden, whose family
owned and operated Municipal
Castings in Madison,
MN, during his “growing up”
years. (The manufacturer
of manhole covers closed
its doors in 2010.) As such, Bungarden had considerable
foundry experience under his belt when he went off to college
to acquire a Metallurgical Engineering degree. After a fouryear
stint with Northern Castings Corporation (also located in
Hibbing), he was ready to put his entrepreneurial skills to the
test, and CAST Corporation was born.
CAST Corporation has occupied a 27 acre site in Hibbing
since 2005. The existing 13,000 square foot facility is undergoing
expansion this summer (with assistance from long-time
AMFA member IRRRB), to bring total facility size to 21,200
square feet upon completion.
Tool and die making continues to be a primary focus for the
company. The custom-built patterns and molds they produce
are used by foundries to form material into a particular
shape. Some foundries build the tooling they need in-house,
but many prefer to outsource this service to a company like
CAST Corporation and benefit from their expertise in the industry.
CAST Corporation specializes in disamatic patterns,
match plates, core boxes, and wood patterns. The tool and
die department is equipped with CNC machining centers,
EDM capability, and CMM measuring for quality control.
Additional services beyond tool and die have been added in
due course as the marketplace reflected certain needs. In
2008, CAST Corporation acquired an existing Hibbing-based
company called Power Play Products and continues to operate
this division under that name. Power Play is a re-seller of
castings used by the utility industry (telephone and power),
such as the clamps that are attached to the top of a utility
pole to guide the wire.
In addition to utilities, customers from industries like mining,
industrial, recreation, and automotive rely on CAST Corporation’s
knowledge to source their casting needs. Bungarden
likens this arrangement to that of the insurance industry, in
that most of us rely on our insurance agent to shop the market
for us because
the agent is more
informed about that
particular industry.
The customer may
be in need of one
casting or thousands,
from aluminum
to gray iron to
high chrome iron
… CAST Corporation
has the insight
to determine which
foundry can best meet a particular need.
CAST Corporation also offers complete CNC machining capability
to complement their tooling and casting sales. The
shop floor is equipped with CNC operated lathes and vertical
and horizontal mills. They occasionally manufacture from bar
stock, but most of the work in this department involves secondary
operations on castings that were made elsewhere.
CAST Corporation has been the supplier of a product called
Truncated Domes since 2009. The Truncated Dome is an
ADA compliant detectable warning plate that is popular in the
roadway and commercial construction industries due to its
lightweight design, easier installation, and better concrete
retention properties. The modular pieces (typically 2’ wide
and 2’ to 5’ long) are used anywhere that “traction bumps”
are needed, such as street ramps, boat launches, and bike
paths. The modular pieces are produced at a foundry and
then brought to CAST Corporation for secondary work, assembly,
and shipping.
Continued on page 4
SEPTEMBER 2012 SHOPTALK Page 3

Featured Member:
CAST Corporation
...Continued from page 3
For even broader diversity, the company maintains a CAD
department - both to complement its existing departments
and to allow for expanded service, such as the requests
they receive from time to time for reverse engineering work.
For example, a current project in this department involved
the design of tooling that altered the production process for
a two-piece casting that was being welded together into a
one-piece casting process.
The 15-employee CAST Corporation will achieve ISO
9000:2008 certification this year, both in response to customer
requests and for the desire to “go through the process”
to improve the company overall. To learn more about
this progressive company, go to www.castcorporation.com
or call 218-263-8510.
Check Out This Feature on
the AMFA Website!
Log onto www.amfa-mn-wi.org to see past newsletters and
a copy of the Midwest Manufacturers’ Association Membership
Directory. Both publications are a great way to find other
manufacturing companies in and around Minnesota.
If you have any pictures of your company, please submit them
to LeeAnn Rostberg at leeannr@runestone.net. This way everyone
who happens upon the site will see your company.
Would you like your company
featured as
Company of the Month
in Shoptalk?
Contact the AMFA office at
877-330-2632 or
midwest@runestone.net
SEPTEMBER 2012 SHOPTALK Page 4

AMFA in September...
What: Membership Meeting
When: Wednesday, September 12
Meeting: Noon
AMFA in October...
What: Membership Meeting
When: Wednesday, October 10
Meeting: Noon
Place:
Chalet Lounge, Duluth
Place:
VFW, Hibbing
Cost:
$15/person
Cost:
$15/person
Guest Speaker:
Karen White, 360º Manuf. and Applied Engineering Center
“Increasing the Quantity, Quality, and Diversity
of Minnesota’s Manufacturing Talent”
360° focuses on three main objectives.
Objective 1) Enhanced Pipeline – to enhance the pipeline
that prepares students for rigorous manufacturing technician-level
programs and entices them to pursue manufacturing
careers including technology-based summer camps,
VEX Robotics competition, Dream It. Do It., and the 360º
Seamless Career Pathway.
Objective 2) Industry-driven Curriculum – to refine industrydriven
curriculum that is relevant to today’s and tomorrow’s
manufacturing industry including the eTECH online and
blended manufacturing programs and the Career Success
Project which will add career success factors to manufacturing-related
programs.
Objective 3) Authentic Assessment – to assess student
learning with industry-recognized credentials including
AWS, MSSC, and NIMS.
Tour: HydroSolutions of Duluth
HydroSolutions is equipped and experienced in cutting a
wide variety of materials, from metal to granite to paper! Tool
steel, wood, floor tile, glass -- the possibilities are endless.
HydroSolutions does more than cut raw materials -- they
provide parts that are ready for assembly. They can take
a project from design to drawings to prototype to finished
product in mass production -- all to a clients specifications.
Guest Speaker:
Kathi Schaff, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Grow Minnesota! Current Economic Conditions
What do Grow Minnesota! visits tell us about Minnesota’s
economy? Information is gleaned from close to 1,000
face-to-face visits conducted in 2012 with business leaders
statewide on such topics as:
• Employment trends
• Experience with recruiting desired skill sets
• Access to capital
• Government services for business
• Exporting trends
• and more
Tour: Hibbing Fabricators
Founded in 1985, Hibbing Fabricators, Inc. is a fabricator
of precision custom sheet metal components and assemblies.
From prototypes to short and long production
runs, they have earned a reputation for quality, dependability,
and customer service.
Using today’s modern equipment, Hibbing Fabricators
create intricate, precision components from steel, aluminum,
brass, copper, stainless, and even titanium. Most
custom fabricators shy away from delicate, hard to process
material like thin gauge tin-plate, but not Hibbing
Fabricators. They are right at home with a full spectrum
of materials ranging from 31 gauge to 1” thick!
SEPTEMBER 2012 SHOPTALK Page 5

MMA Autumn Golf Social
Thursday, September 20
Whitefish Golf Club
near Pequot Lakes, north of Brainerd
www.whitefishgolf.com
12:30 PM Registration
1:00 PM Shot Gun Start
5:30 PM Social & Dinner
This is NOT a fundraising event, but rather,
an opportunity for members of the “sister
associations” to network and develop relationships.
Donations that can be used as prizes at the
event are welcome and encouraged.
$55/Person
includes green fees, shared cart and dinner
18 hole 4-person scramble
This golf social is open to members, friends, and guests of :
• Arrowhead Manufacturers & Fabricators Association
• Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association
• Tri-State Manufacturers’ Association
Come and network with others sharing an interest in manufacturing!
Name:
Company:
MMA Autumn Golf Social
Discover, Mastercard, and Visa Accepted
Credit Card Holder’s Signature
Phone:
Email:
Dinner Only, $20 enclosed
Print Name
Card Number
Expiration Date
Amount
I prefer to golf with:
Mail registration form ASAP:
along with $55 per person
MMA
PO Box 150
Elbow Lake MN 56531
SEPTEMBER 2012 SHOPTALK Page 6

AMFA and ET
Seek Nominees for Joint
Board of Director Election
AMFA is a member driven organization whose very existence
is directly attributed to the involvement of volunteers in the
region. Founded in 1997, the 15-year old organization
has benefited from the leadership of numerous industry
professional. A total of eleven individuals have invested
their time and talent to serve as president of AMFA, with
many others serving the organization in other capacities.
(See side bar for the “AMFA presidential history.”)
Likewise, the AMFA Educational Trust relies on volunteers
to oversee its mission to raise and disburse funds in support
of technical education in the region. Formed in 2000, the ET
provides a tax exempt option for companies and individuals
making charitable contributions in support of its mission.
Historically, AMFA and the AMFA ET have been governed
by separate boards of directors, with little or no overlap
amongst the volunteers serving each organization. Earlier
this year, the membership supported a request for the AMFA
and AMFA ET to function with a shared Board of Directors
effective March 1, 2012. Sixteen volunteers are serving on
the transition board, with all terms scheduled to expire in
December 2012.
Going forward, the joint board will be composed of twelve
seats, with each term to be two years in length once we get
past the 2013 transition year.
Nominations are now being accepted for terms on the joint
AMFA/ET Board of Directors. Six two-year terms and six
one-year terms are up for election (again, 2013 is a transition
year). Nominations will be accepted through December 1,
2012.
All employees/owners of AMFA member companies are
eligible to serve on the board. Please call or email the office
to nominate yourself, an employee, or a fellow member.
Remember, the more active you are in the organization, the
more your company gains from membership in AMFA. Board
participation is an excellent way to develop relationships
with your peers in manufacturing and stay on the forefront
of new developments in the region.
Thank You
Thank you to everyone who attended the 14th
Annual AMFA Golf Fundraiser.
What:
AMFA Presidential History
1997-98 Gene Betts
1999 Mark Shervey
2000 Vern Watters
2001 Gary Corradi
2002 Gary Werkhoven
2003 Kevin Berg
2004 Richard Lien
2005-06 Dave Hogan
2007-08 Dan Larson
2009-11 Dave Sarvela
2012 Rusty Hoglund
AMFA in November...
Membership Meeting
When: Wednesday, November 7
Meeting: Noon
Place:
Cost:
World Class Precision Products
Bayfield WI
$15/person
Guest Speaker:
Bob Peltonen, World Class Precision Products
Tour: World Class Precision Products
AMFA is exploring the interest level in Wisconsin!
Make plans now to join us on November 7th – we’d
like a strong show of support as we visit our neighbors
to the east. With nearly 90% of the current membership
located in Minnesota, it was agreed to explore
growth opportunities for AMFA in western Wisconsin.
Grant Opportunity for
FabTech Attendees
First come, first serve: call the AMFA office today! If
you are interested in attending the FabTech Expo in
Las Vegas in November, call the AMFA office to have
your name added to the list of those interested in
partial reimbursement for travel costs.
SEPTEMBER 2012 SHOPTALK Page 7

AMFA Meeting scheduled
in Bayfield, WI
Mark your calendar and show your support for AMFA’s
decision to explore the possibility of serving the
manufacturing community in Northwest Wisconsin. AMFA’s
November meeting will be held in Bayfield, including a tour
of World Class Precision Products and a presentation by
company owner Bob Peltonen. World Class is a Full service
precision machining facility specializing in the manufacture
of patterns, molds & dies.
AMFA is teaming up with APEX and Bayfield County EDC
to get the word out to manufacturers in a tri-county region
in Northwest Wisconsin. This is likely the first that many
of these companies will be made aware of AMFA and its
mission to serve the manufacturing community in Northeast
Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin.
Watch your email for meeting details and registration
information. Come and network with your manufacturing
peers in Wisconsin on November 7!
Minnesota
Manufacturers Summit
October 23, 2012
Minneapolis St. Paul Hilton/Airport –
Mall of America
Minnesota Manufacturers:
Growing in a Growing Economy
Join business and industry leaders from across Minnesota
in a salute to the contributions of manufacturers! The ninth
annual Minnesota Manufacturers Summit, brought to you
by the Minnesota Manufacturers Coalition, will feature leaders
from manufacturing, higher education, and government.
Karen Kurek, national manufacturing and distribution practice
leader, McGladrey, will share findings from their national
survey of manufacturers and distributors. Chancellor Steven
Rosenstone, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
is confirmed to participate, sharing the feedback from
the manufacturing workforce assessment meetings and his
perspective on MnSCU’s role in closing the skills gap.
Complete details about the summit will be available soon at
www.amfa-mn-wi.org.
Mark Your Calendar!
Upcoming Events...
AMFA General Meeting
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 12
Location: Chalet Lounge, Duluth
Time: Noon
MMA Golf Social
Date: Thursday, Sept. 20
Location: Whitefish Golf Club
Time: 1:00 Shot Gun Start
AMFA General Meeting
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 10
Location: VFW, Hibbing
Time: Noon
State-wide Tour of Manufacturing
Date: Oct. 21-27
MN Manufacturers Summit
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 23
Location: Hilton/Airport - Mall of America
Focus on Germany
Date: Thursday, Oct. 25
Location: Hibbing Community College
Price: Discount available for AMFA
members
AMFA General Meeting
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 7
Location: World Class Precision Products
Bayfield WI
Time: Noon
New Member Corner
Trison Electronic Design & Manufacturing
3923 - 1st Avenue
Hibbing, MN 55746
Product/Service: Printed circuit board assembly and
electronic design services.
Employees: 12
AMFA contact: Mike Brusseau, Business Dev. Manager
Email:
mbrusseau@trison.com
Website: www.trison.com
Welcome!
SEPTEMBER 2012 SHOPTALK Page 8

AMFA and IRRRB to
Exhibit at FabTech
Expo in Las Vegas
Travel Funding may be available to
AMFA members.
Updated photos requested
The FabTech Expo is the largest event in North America
dedicated to showcasing a full spectrum of metal forming,
fabricating, tube & pipe, welding and finishing equipment
and technology. AMFA and Iron Range Resources
& Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) have teamed up to represent
the region at the FabTech Expo again this year.
FabTech 2012 is scheduled from November 12-14 at the
Las Vegas Convention Center. This event brings many
major players together in one building, providing a unique
opportunity to evaluate new products and technology and
interact with potential vendors, customers and suppliers.
The show attracts some 25,000 exhibitors and attendees
from across the U.S. and around the world.
AMFA members – are you interested in attending the
FabTech Expo in Las Vegas? If so, grant funding may be
available to cover a portion of your travel costs. Please
call or email Sandy Kashmark at the AMFA office to indicate
your interest in attending the show and receiving
financial assistance should the funds become available.
We Salute
You!
Recognize manufacturers during
MN Manufacturers Week
October 21-27th
Mark your
Calendar!
AMFA General Meeting
Wednesday, November 7
Noon luncheon meeting
Bayfield, WI
If you are planning to attend the show, be sure to stop
by and greet AMFA volunteers in Booth #C8242. AMFA
members planning to staff the exhibit booth include:
Mary Brandt, Sandy Bryant, Gary Grangruth, Rusty Hoglund,
Dan Larson, and Lori Spielman.
Many hours of volunteer time are required to plan and
prepare for participation in a venue like the FabTech
Expo. Currently, the planning committee is in the process
of updating information for the exhibit booth, choosing
promotional items to be used as give-aways, scheduling
flights, and more.
AMFA members – your input is needed! The exhibit booth
will contain a rolling video depicting company logos and
photographs submitted by our members. Please send an
updated logo and photos of products, components, machines/equipment,
facilities, etc. Submissions should be
emailed to leeannr@runestone.net by October 12, 2012.
The goal is to have all 86 AMFA members represented at
least once in the video.
SEPTEMBER 2012 SHOPTALK Page 9

State-wide
Tour of Manufacturing
October 21-27, 2012
Minnesota Manufacturers Week is a time to publicly
acknowledge and celebrate the significant economic
impact of manufacturing in our state and communities.
It’s also a fitting time to educate your community about
who you are and what you do. The statewide Tour of
Manufacturing provides an opportunity for you to do just
that.
Last year, the first-annual statewide event encouraged
manufacturers to open their doors on Saturday of
Manufacturers Week, knowing the intended audience
would be difficult to attract during weekday business
hours. While Saturday hours are still considered a prime
option for attracting the public, the reality is that some
manufacturers simply cannot accommodate a weekend
tour.
After listening to feedback from the 2011 event, the
planning committee has introduced a new format this year.
The entire week will be promoted as “Tour of Manufacturing
Week.” Manufacturers can choose any date or series of
dates between October 21 and October 27, 2012 to host a
tour. For tours that are held on a weekday, the company
is strongly encouraged to include “after business” hours
in the schedule –hosting a tour from 4:00 to 8:00 PM on
Tuesday evening, for example.
Any and all manufacturers in Minnesota are invited to
participate in the statewide Tour of Manufacturing at no
cost. How does it work? Modeled after the “Parade of
Homes,” manufacturers open their facility for public tours.
THE FUTURE OF MINNESOTA MANUFACTURING
Students, parents, neighbors,
employee family members,
the general public --- all are
encouraged to come and see first-hand what goes on inside
your doors. The goal of the event is to change perceptions
about the industry and increase awareness of the high skill,
high wage jobs available in manufacturing.
The planning committee will assist with informing companies
about tours being planned in the same geographic location so
that complimentary dates/timing can be arranged to maximize
attendance.
Certain regions in Minnesota, including Brainerd and Mankato,
are undertaking specific efforts to stage a coordinated Tour of
Manufacturing event in their respective communities. Kudos to
these regions! The statewide event is envisioned as a project
that allows any manufacturer in any community the opportunity
to provide a public tour – whether or not there is a coordinated
local effort underway.
Midwest Manufacturers’ Association, representing AMFA,
CMMA, and TSMA, has teamed up with 360˚ Center of
Excellence and the Minnesota Precision Mfg. Association
(MPMA) to foster the statewide project. The public can
access www.tourofmanufacturingmn.com to learn about all
manufacturing tours available from October 21-27, 2012.
Manufacturers - call the MMA office at 800-654-5773 for
information about how to participate in the statewide Tour of
Manufacturing.
Scan Me
Have you checked into the benefits of
Trifac Workers Compensation
Self-Insurance?
Call the office today for details!
877-330-2632
SEPTEMBER 2012 SHOPTALK Page 10

AMFA-Educational Trust
14th Annual Golf Social - Recap
After a seven week delay due to torrential rains and flooding
in the region on the original date (June 19), the AMFA
Educational Trust Golf Fundraiser met with perfect weather
conditions. Held on the reschedule date of August 7,
2012, at Cloquet Country Club, the 14th annual event attracted
some 70 people for an afternoon of golf followed by
a roast beef dinner, silent auction, and awards ceremony.
The event raised over $10,000 in support of the workforce
development activities of the AMFA Educational Trust. Golf
profits are used to support the AMFA-ET mission to provide
capital and/or grants to educational institutions and programs
that are relevant to the technical education needed
for employment in manufacturing. Grants, scholarships,
tool boxes for students, funding for shop classes, and robotics
teams are some of the activities funded by ET dollars
in the past. The golf social is the organization’s one
and only fund raiser each year.
Richard Lien, past president of the AMFA Educational
Trust, served as emcee of the awards ceremony. Trophies
were awarded to the first, second, and third place teams,
along with the team that “had the most fun” (last place with
a score of 77). Winners of the auxiliary contests are listed
in an adjacent box. Bruce Overson was the lucky winner
of the split-the-pot cash drawing. Lien recognized Sandy
Kashmark, who was named the AMFA-ET 2012 MVP.
Thank you to all who supported the silent auction – those
who donated items and those who were involved in the bidding.
Thank you to the event sponsors (listed on Page
XXX), with a special thanks Douglas Alexandria Finishing
for hosting a beanbag competition concluding with terrific
prizes.
A special thank you is extended to Richard Lien for coming
out of retirement to chair the Golf Committee, along with
committee members Mary Brandt, Tom Gregorich, Todd
Hanson, Rusty Hoglund, Bill Gundersen, and Mike Koppy.
AMFA-Educational Trust
HONORS Sandy Kashmark With MVP Award
The AMFA Educational Trust recently named Sandy Kashmark
as its 2012 Most Valuable Partner. The MVP award is
given out annually to acknowledge an individual or organization’s
efforts to support the mission of the AMFA Educational
Trust.
Kashmark, executive director at Midwest Manufacturers’ Association,
has long supported the Educational Trust in its
mission to disseminate information about employment opportunities
in manufacturing and provide capital and grants
to educational institutions and programs that are relevant to
careers in manufacturing. Kashmark has provided management
and support services for the Arrowhead Manufacturers’
& Fabricators Association for the past 15 years.
Past recipients of the MVP award include: Mary Brandt, John
Eagleton, Heidi Timm-Bijold, Jamie Dettmann, Gene Betts,
Bob Mars Jr., Dan Larson, Diane Rauschenfels, Rusty Hoglund,
and Diane Morin.
The efforts of the Educational Trust are spearheaded by a
volunteer Board of Directors, with Garry Krause, Wisconsin
Indianhead Technical College, serving as the current president.
Planning for the 2013 event will begin this winter. If you’d
like to help or have suggestions on how to make the event
“bigger and better,” contact Sandy Kashmark at the AMFA
office at 877-330-2632 or midwest@runestone.net.
Richard Lien (pictured on the left) Presents Sandy Kashmark
with the 2012 AMFA-ET Most Valuable Partner Award.
SEPTEMBER 2012 SHOPTALK Page 11

AMFA-Educational Trust
14th Annual Golf Social - Recap
Third Place Team with a score of 60: Bob
Johanson, Todd Hanson, Cathy Erickson,
Mike Bourd
First Place Team with a score of 59:
Mike Rengo, Dave Cran,
Gerry Cran, Sandy Hoglund
Team That Had The Most Fun: Robert
Kollender, Sandy Bryant, Chandon Bryant,
Chuck Carson
The Contest Winners Were...
Closest to the Pin
Brett Uchanski, WP & RS Mars Co.
Bob Johansen, Sure-Fab, LLC
Longest Putt
Dean Horejsi, Rockwell Automation
Second Place Team with a score of 59:
Jon Birkeland, Rob Grover, Shawn Crowser,
Jason Ross
Longest Drive
Shawn Mitchell, Industrial Fluid Technologies
Cathy Erickson, ARCC
Putting Contest
John Saccoman, Meadowbrook Insurance
– sank 2 putts
CAST Corporation
Chicago Tube & Iron
Douglas Finishing
Hales Machine Tool
Ingersoll Rand
L&M Radiator
2012 Corporate Sponsors
ME Elecmetal
Northland Foundation
Mielke Electric Works
Productivity, Inc.
Minnesota Power
Republic Bank
Moline Machinery
US Bank
National Bank of Commerce W.P. & R.S. Mars Co.
Northern Engineering
SEPTEMBER 2012 SHOPTALK Page 12

Better, faster,
more efficient
product
development
Your business moves fast, which means when it comes to process improvements you
need practical solutions that will deliver results, fast. MasterGraphics will take the
time to get to know your business — and deliver realistic solutions for leveraging
design data through every single phase of your product development process.
Let us show you how we can take your design data further.
Go to www.mastergraphics.com/manufacturing or call 800-873-7238.
© 2011 MasterGraphics Inc. Autodesk is a registered trademark of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries.
SEPTEMBER 2012 SHOPTALK Page 13

Grow Minnesota!
Arrowhead Manufacturers & Fabricators Association recently
agreed to promote Grow Minnesota! to manufacturers in the region.
Grow Minnesota! is the economic development program
of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce – a long-time TSMA
member. The primary focus of the program is to retain Minnesota
businesses and encourage them to expand here.
The program operates in partnership with more than 50 local
and regional chambers of commerce and conducts regular retention
visits with close to 1,000 Minnesota companies each year
– thanking them for operating in Minnesota and, when necessary,
providing direct assistance to help them succeed and grow
in Minnesota. AMFA has not signed on as a “full partner” but
rather, as a champion of the program to help raise visibility in the
manufacturing community.
LASERSHOWS.
FIREWORKS.
ROLLERCOASTERS.
THE ONE EVENT TO SEE THE MOST SPECTACULAR
METAL FABRICATION TECHNOLOGY. FABTECH 2012.
Watch for a Shoptalk column to be introduced next month containing
insights and statistics drawn from the thousands of site
visits the program has recorded over the years. Benchmark your
company against what others in the state are reporting on specific
issues.
North America’s Largest Metal Forming,
Fabricating, Welding and Finishing Event
November 12-14, 2012
Las Vegas Convention Center
REGISTER NOW at
fabtechexpo.com
If you are interested in hosting a site visit, or would like to learn
more about Grow Minnesota! – give the AMFA office a call.
Scan this code to
watch an exciting
preview of FABTECH.
Follow us:
Cosponsors:
Customer Performance is is the the passion of of Northern
Engineering in in Superior Wisconsin
Northern Engineering specializes in in precision
production machining as as well as as repair and and renewal
of of mechanical equipment, industrial gear drives,
conveying systems, propulsion systems, engine
heads and and valves, shaft and and bearing replacement,
analytical assessment and and testing since 1916. All All
services available twenty-four (24) hours a a day day onsitsite
or or in in shop.
Contact James Farkas at at on-
jfarkas@noengwks.com
“Financing from the
Northland Foundation
helped us bring new business
and jobs to our region.”
- Christian Benson, Frost River
Need flexible financing
to maintain or grow?
Call John Elden or
Kurt Johnson today.
Lines of Credit
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218.723.4040 • 800.433.4045
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SEPTEMBER 2012 SHOPTALK Page 14

It is all About Cash Flow
Contributed By: Brad Stevens, Relationship Manager
Cash flow is likely one of the most
difficult topics to discuss as well as
understand. Sadly it is one of those
items in your business that is crucial,
has to be managed and if you
do not have a good understanding,
will kill your business even when
your sales are growing.
There are two cash flow calculations that are generally
accepted in business. If you have a loan with a bank,
your banker should have discussed the cash flow expectations
of the business with you. The term “Traditional
Cash Flow” was likely used. The definition of Traditional
Cash Flow is simply a calculation based on the following.
Net income for the period, plus depreciation less
any distributions divided by the current maturities of the
debt payments for that period. On an average condition
company this ratio should be between 1.20 to 1.30. Any
number higher indicates a strong cash flow company,
any number between 1.05 and 1.15 is struggling and any
number under 1.0 is in real trouble.
There is also a Uniform Credit Analysis Cash Flow which
takes a mix of the balance sheet as well as the income
statement to determine a firms cash flow. This calculation
is quite involved and honestly, is used more in credit
analysis than it is in the real world. For most business
purposes, the Traditional Cash Flow formula is the best.
Why is cash flow so important? Cash Flow Repays Debt,
period. Loans are not repaid with deposits, not repaid with
collateral, nor with personal cash that has been pulled out
of the company. Deposits come and go. What is deposited
on Monday is likely spent during the next run of
checks. If you have to sell the collateral backing the loan
to repay it, you have no way of continuing your business.
If you have pulled money out of the business there was a
reason, likely you had another investment in mind leaving
the funds used and unavailable for the business debt.
Cash flow from the ongoing operations of the business is
the best source to repay the debt that has been incurred
or considered. Over the period of a year, your cash flow
cycles of purchasing inventory, processing it into final
goods, selling it and collecting the receivables should have
been completed a number of times. The net income from
the completion of the sales, for the most part should have
been collected and reflected in your net income. Adding
back the non-cash expense of depreciation gives you a
good feel for how much money you should have over a
year that would or is available to service the principal payments
on your debt. Interest expense is not included as
that amount is already taken out of the net income.
Taking the cash flow figure, backing into a cash flow coverage
ratio, typically 1.25, then backing into a loan amount
using the right interest rate and amortization, you can figure
out how much financing your firm can afford, before you go
to talk to your banker. Remember, it is cash flow that repays
debt. Let me know if you need more information on cash
flow or need help calculating your ratio.
Brad Stevens is a Relationship Manager with Alerus
Financial, a full service commercial bank serving in your
best interest. With over twenty years experience, Brad
works closely with business owners to provide advice
and financial solutions amongst the ever-changing
market cycles. Contact Brad at 651.746.6153 to
discuss fresh, innovative financial strategies for your
business.
A Cost Effective Way to Reach a
Broad Manufacturing Audience.
Midwest Manufacturers’ Association, the “shared office”
serving AMFA, CMMA and TSMA, is excited to unveil
a new promotional opportunity for members: Midwest
Manufacturing Connection. In response to numerous
requests from current members to promote a particular
product or service to the entire membership, the board
developed two promotional options, or packages – available
to members only.
Members interested in the Midwest Manufacturing Connection
will pay an annual fee in exchange for promoting
their product/service to the membership. The package
includes:
• Exposure to over 400 companies
• Display advertising options, including assistance
with design/layout
• Website promotion
• Corporate Golf Sponsorship
• Membership Directory option
Call Sandy Kashmark at 877-330-2632 to learn more, or
access details on the website at www.amfa-mn-wi.org.
SEPTEMBER 2012 SHOPTALK Page 15

Board of Directors
Rusty Hoglund, AMFA President
Superior Steel
715-395-0256
supsteel@cpinternet.com
Garry Krause, AMFA-ET President
WITC
715-394-6677 Ext 6339
garry.krause@witc.edu
Sandy Bryant, AMFA President Elect
Hibbing Fabricators
218-262-5575
sandy@hibfab.com
Byron Helland, AMFA Secretary
Moline Machinery
218-624-5734
bhelland@moline.com
Bill Gundersen, AMFA-ET Secretary
Lake Superior College 218-733-5915
w.gundersen@lsc.edu
Mary Brandt, AMFA Treasurer
Hibbing Comm. College 218-262-6785
marybrandt@hibbing.edu
Mike Koppy, AMFA-ET Treasurer
Lake Superior College 218-733-7631
m.koppy@lsc.edu
Advertising Rates
one six twelve
month months months
1/8 page $30 $125 $200
1/4 page $50 $225 $375
1/2 page $85 $400 $675
Full page $150 $700 $1200
Contact LeeAnn Rostberg at the AMFA office for more information:
Phone: 877-330-2632 Email: LeeannR@runestone.net
Nonmember advertising accepted ... call the AMFA office for rate information.
Shoptalk is produced and edited by:
Midwest Mfg. Association
PO Box 150, Elbow Lake, MN 56531
877-330-2632 midwest@runestone.net
If you have comments, suggestions for future stories, or would like to inquire
about advertising, please contact the Midwest Manufacturers’ Association office.
AMFA Dues Structure
For information and a membership
application, visit the
website at www.amfa-mn-wi.org
or call the AMFA office at
877-330-2632.
AMFA dues may be deducted as
an ordinary business expense for
tax purposes, but are not deductible
as a charitable expense.
AMFA Member Rates
No. of Employees Dues
Sole Proprietor $75
2 to 5 $ 125
6 to 15 $ 175
16 to 30 $ 250
31 to 50 $ 300
51 to 99 $ 350
100 or more $ 425
Government $ 250
Education $250
Bill Grau, Director
ME Elecmetal 218-626-4827
bgrau@meglobal.com
Tom Gregorich, Director
Hibbing Comm. College 800-224-4422
tomgregorich@hcc.mnscu.edu
Elissa Hansen, Director
APEX 218-740-3667
elissa@apexgetsbusiness.com
Todd Hanson, Director
Productivity, Inc 218-343-5755
thanson@productivity.com
Dan Larson, Director
HydroSolutions of Duluth 218-722-7001
dan@hyrdosolutionsofduluth.com
Diane Morin, Director
Proctor High School 218-628-4958
dmorin@proctor.k12.mn.us
Gary Werkhoven, Director
Arrowhead Prod. Dev. 218-525-5210
gwerkhoven@arprodev.com
Gene Betts, Director Emeritus
Betts & Associates 218-428-5088
bettsandassociates@frontiernet.net
Dave Sarvela, AMFA Past President
ME Elecmetal 218-626-2761
dsarvela@meglobal.com
AMFA is affiliated with
Midwest Manufacturers’
Association
SEPTEMBER 2012 SHOPTALK Page 16

AMFA Membership directory
Accuflex Coatings
Proctor, MN
Tony Coda 218-727-9180
tony@tonycoda.com
www.accuflexcoatings.com
Braun Intertec
Duluth MN
Joe Butler 218-624-4967
jbutler@braunintertec.com
www.braunintertec.com
Exodus Machines Inc.
Superior WI
Adam Bennis 715-395-3703
abennis@exodusmachinesinc.com
www.exodusmachinesinc.com
Ingersoll Rand
Duluth, MN
Dustin Carlson 218-343-1841
ddcarlso@irco.com
www.ingersollrandproducts.com/minneapolis
ActivEdge, LLC
Superior, WI
Jay Tapper 218-729-9861
jltapper@cpinternet.com
www.activedgewi.com
CAST Corporation
Hibbing MN
Tim Bungarden 218-263-8510
tbungarden@castcorporation.com
www.castcorporation.com
Fond du lac Community College
Cloquet MN
Jeanne Kermeen 218-879-0846
jkermeen@fdltcc.edu
www.fdltcc.edu
Iracore International, Inc.
Hibbing MN
Susan Rostvold 218-263-8834
susanr@iracore.com
www.iracore.com
Aitkin Iron Works
Aitkin MN
Jeff Chatelle 218-927-2400
jwc@aiw.com
www.aiw.com
Chicago Tube & Iron
Duluth MN
Chuck Davidson 218-723-8111
chuckdavidson@chicagotube.com
www.chicagotube.com
Fraser Shipyards, Inc.
Superior WI
James Korthals 715-394-7787
jkorthals@frasershipyards.com
www.frasershipyards.com
Iron Range Res. & Rehab. Board
Eveleth MN
Matt Sjoberg 218-744-7400
matt.sjoberg@state.mn.us
www.IRRRB.org
Alignex, Inc.
Edina, MN
George Burns 952-224-5325
George.Burns@alignex.com
www.alignex.com
Consulate General of Canada
Minneapolis MN
Kate Saba 612-492-2914
katherine.saba@international.gc.ca
www.minneapolis.gc.ca
Genesis Attachments LLC
Superior WI
James Bendas 715-394-7787
jbendas@paladinbrands.com
Itasca Community College
Grand Rapids MN
Mike Knapp 218-322-2459
mike.knapp@itascacc.edu
www.itascacc.edu
Altec HiLine
Duluth MN
Jake Pessenda 218-722-9200
jake.pessenda@altechiline.com
www.altechiline.com
Duluth Area Chamber
Duluth MN
David Ross 218-740-3755
dross@duluthchamber.com
www.duluthchamber.com
Hales Machine Tool
Minneapolis MN
Tim Hales 763-553-1711
thales@halesmachinetool.com
www.halesmachinetool.com
Kendeco Tool Crib
St. Cloud MN
Bob Miller 320-253-1020
bobm@kendeco.com
www.kendeco.com
APEX
Duluth MN
Elissa Hansen 218-740-3667
elissa@apexgetsbusiness.com
www.apexgetsbusiness.com
Duluth Brass Manufacturing
Duluth MN
Tom Holt 218-262-2564
tholt@duluthbrass.com
HawksBoots Manufacturing
Duluth, MN 55807
Kyle Campbell 218-740-3500
kyle@epicureancs.com
www.epicureancs.com
Kittok Sales, Inc.
Maple Plain MN
Dan Kittok 763-479-2200
kittoksale@aol.com
Arrowhead Product Develop.
Duluth MN
Gary Werkhoven 218-525-5210
gwerkhoven@arprodev.com
www.arprodev.com
Duluth Public Schools
Duluth MN
Jim Arndt 218-336-8975
jim.arndt@duluth.k12.mn.us
www.duluth.k12.mn.us
Hibbing Community College
Hibbing MN
Mary Brandt 218-262-6785
marybrandt@hibbing.edu
www.hibbing.edu
L & M Radiator
Hibbing MN
Tom Baumchen 218-263-8993
tbaumchen@mesabi.com
www.mesabi.com
Aspen Aerials
Duluth MN
Pat Clark 218-624-1111
pclark@aspenaerials.com
www.aspenaerials.com
Duluth, City of
Duluth MN
Heidi Timm-Bijold 218-730-5324
htimm@ci.duluth.mn.us
www.ci.duluth.mn.us
Hibbing Fabricators
Hibbing MN
Sandy Bryant 218-262-5575
sandy@hibfab.com
www.hibfab.com
Lake Superior College
Duluth MN
Bill Gundersen 800-432-2884
w.gundersen@lsc.edu
www.lsc.edu
BASYS Processing, Inc.
Lenexa KS
Michelle Mueller 913-647-5800
mmueller@basyspro.com
www.basyspro.com
Dynamic Machining
Grand Rapids MN
Lonnie Wedl 218-999-7206
dymacco@paulbunyan.net
Highroad LLC
Hibbing MN
Gary Grangruth 218-969-6963
ggrangruth@gmail.com
Larkin Hoffman Daly & Lindgren
Bloomington MN
Mark Geier 952-896-3228
mgeier@larkinhoffman.com
www.larkinhoffman.com
Benefit Strategies Group
Minneapolis, MN
Mike Burress 612-347-8602
mike@benefitstrategies.pro
www.benefitstrategies.pro
Energy Management Solutions
Chanhassen MN
Tanuj Gulati 612-205-9241
tg@emsenergy.com
www.emsenergy.com
Hydrosolutions of Duluth, Inc.
Duluth MN
Dan Larson 218-722-7001
dan@hydrosolutionsofduluth.com
www.hydrosolutionsofduluth.com
LarsonAllen LLP
Waite Park MN
Jamie Henkemeyer 218-828-0100
jhenkemeyer@larsonallen.com
www.larsonallen.com
Betts & Associates
Knife River MN
Gene Betts 218-428-5088
bettsandassociates@frontiernet.net
Erickson Metals of Minnesota
Coon Rapids MN
Abby Kara 763-785-2340
akara@ericksonmetalsmn.com
www.ericksonmetalsmn.com
Ikonics Corporation
Duluth MN
Claude Piguet 218-628-2217
cpiguet@ikonics.com
www.ikonics.com
The Laurentian Group
Eveleth MN
Art Tweten 218-780-2984
sales@lgequipmentsales.com
www.lgequipmentsales.com
SEPTEMBER 2012 SHOPTALK Page 17

AMFA Membership directory
Lehman’s Machine, Inc.
Iron, MN
Jeremy Lehman 218-744-1453
jeremy@lehmansmachine.com
www.lehmansmachine.com
Moline Machinery LLC
Duluth MN
Byron Helland 218-624-5734
bhelland@moline.com
www.moline.com
Premier Plastics
Hoyt Lakes, MN
Bob Mennell 218-225-3500
bmenne@premierplasticsmn.com
www.premierplasticsmn.com
Superior Steel Inc.
Superior WI
Rusty Hoglund 715-395-0256
supsteel@cpinternet.com
www.hoglundsteel.com
LHB, Inc.
Duluth MN
Bill Bennett 218-727-8446
bill.bennett@lhbcorp.com
www.lhbcorp.com
National Bank of Commerce
Superior WI
Chris Hogan 715-394-5531
chogan@nbofc.com
www.nbofc.com
Premier Products, Inc.
Braham MN
Denny Fredlin 320-396-3330
ppi@premierproducts.com
www.premierproducts.com
Trison Electronic Design & Mfg.
Hibbing MN
Mike Brusseau 218-262-4402
mbrusseau@trison.com
www.trison.com
Lighting House USA, Inc.
Plymouth MN
Sudhir Singh 763-235-4535
sudhirs@lightinghouseusa.com
www.LightingHouseUSA.com
Northeast Higher Ed
Virginia MN
Sue Collins 218-471-0015
scollins@nhed.edu
Productivity, Inc.
Two Harbors MN
Todd Hanson 218-834-5508
thanson@productivity.com
www.productivity.com
Tritec Steel Fabrication
Vriginia MN
Russ Smith 218-741-1083
Russ@tritecmn.com
www.tritecmn.com
ME Elecmetal
Duluth MN
Bill Grau 218-626-4827
bgrau@meglobal.com
www.MEelecmetal.com
Northern Engineering
Superior WI
James Farkas 715-394-4211
jfarkas@noengwks.com
Rapids Process Equipment
Cohasset MN
Brent Roering 218-999-5100
brent@rpeus.com
www.rpeus.com
UF Inc.
Cloquet MN
Zachery Wehr 218-310-3329
zwepsinc@gmail.com
Meadowbrook Insurance
Vadnais Heights MN
Terry Didion 612-834-2443
tdidion@meadowbrook.com
Northland Foundation
Duluth MN
John Elden 218-723-4040
john@northlandfdn.org
www.northlandfdn.org
Republic Bank
Duluth MN
Steve Utech 218-733-6463
sutech@bankrepublic.com
www.bankrepublic.com
UMD Ctr for Economic Devel.
Duluth MN
Elaine Hansen 218-726-7298
ehansen@umdced.com
www.umdced.com
Mesabi Range College
Virginia MN
Colleen Gerzin 218-749-7716
c.gerzin@mr.mnscu.edu
www.mr.mnscu.edu
Northland Machine
Grand Rapids MN
Marv Gustafson 218-328-6479
marvg@norhtlandmachine.com
www.northlandmachine.com
Schaeffer Oil
Duluth MN
Ron Yardley 218-393-6041
ronyardley@schaefferoilsales.com
www.schaefferoil.com
Ursa Major
Wyoming MN
Dennis Stoffels 651-462-4721
dennis@ursamajor.net
www.ursamajor.net
Mielke Electric Works
Duluth MN
Bob Poulter 218-727-7411
rapoulter@mielkeelectric.com
www.mielkeelectric.com
Northstar Aerospace
Duluth MN
John Eagleton 218-720-2920
jeagleton@northstaraerospace.com
www.northstaraerospace.com
Solutions Insurance Agencies
Duluth MN
Heidi Nessa 218-628-1878
hnessa@solutionsagencies.com
www.solutionsagencies.com
US Bank
Hibbing MN
Greg Lee 218-262-7112
gregory.lee1@usbank.com
www.usbank.com
MINNCOR Industries
St. Paul MN
Dale Peterson 651-361-7500
dale.a.peterson@state.mn.us
www.minncor.com
NRRI
Duluth MN
Steve Johnson 218-720-4312
sjohnson@nrri.umn.edu
www.nrri.umn.edu
Specialty Staff Inc.
Bloomington MN
Scott Whelan 952-392-6919
swhelan@ssigroup.net
www.ssigroup.net
Vermilion Community College
Ely MN
Chris Hegenbarth 800-657-3608
c.hegenbarth@vcc.edu
www.vcc.edu
Minnesota Industries
Chisholm MN
Corrie Lantz 218-254-3361
lantz@mncomp.com
Plastics International
Eden Prairie MN
Paul Carter 952-934-2303
paulc@plasticsintl.com
www.plasticsintl.com
Spooner Machine Inc.
Spooner WI
Randy McQuade 715-635-3220
sales@spoonermachine.com
www.spoonermachine.com
W.P. & R.S. Mars Co.
Duluth MN
Bob Mars 218-628-0303
rmars3@marssupply.com
www.marssupply.com
Minnesota Power
Duluth MN
Nancy Aronson Norr 218-723-3913
nnorr@mnpower.com
www.mnpower.com
Praxair Distribution
Duluth MN
Jeff Peterson 218-624-5741
jeff_peterson@praxair.com
www.praxair.com
Stone Machinery
St. Paul, MN
Dustin Carlson 651-323-8800
dcarlson@stonemachinery.com
www.stonemachinery.com
Wisc. Indianhead Tech College
Superior, WI
Garry Krause 715-394-6677
garry,krause@witc.edu
www.witc.edu
Minnesota Twist Drill Inc.
Chisholm MN
Tim Ranta 218-254-3362
tranta@mntwist.com
Precision Points Machining
Proctor MN
Robert Forrestal 218-628-2059
precisionpoints@yahoo.com
Superior Hydraulics Repair
Superior WI
Brian Seckinger 715-392-4300
brians@wwmwinc.com
www.wwmwinc.com
Zakobe Metal Stampings
Grand Rapids MN
Teresa Karnes 218-245-2490
zakobe@qwest.net
www.zakobemetalstampings.com
SEPTEMBER 2012 SHOPTALK Page 18