The Manufacturers' Association

06/12/2026

We're currently experiencing a temporary system outage due to a power issue at our facility — our team is working on it and we'll be back up soon. Thank you for your patience!

06/09/2026

Mark your calendars! Our next Wake Up to Manufacturing is coming up on Thursday, June 25, 2026 - that is two weeks away, not this Thursday, June 11th!

Join us at 8:00 AM at the Manufacturers' Association - Center of Excellence for an important conversation on Supply Chain Resilience: Strategies to Strengthen Your Supply Chain and Reduce Risk.

In today's unpredictable business environment, supply chain disruptions can have a major impact on your operations. This session will bring together industry leaders to share real-world strategies for building a more resilient supply chain, reducing risk, and keeping your business moving forward no matter what challenges arise.

We have an outstanding lineup of speakers ready to share their expertise:
- Chris Caba, Chief, Transportation Planning Division, York County Planning Commission
- Neil Harrold, Operations Leadership, BAE Systems Inc.
- Zac Hubbard, General Manager, Ollie's Bargain Outlet Inc.

This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow manufacturers, gain valuable insights, and walk away with actionable strategies you can put to work right away. Space is limited, so do not wait to register.

Register today: https://na2.hubs.ly/H061XHS0

We look forward to seeing you on June 25!

06/08/2026

CMMC Is Here - And the Clock Is Ticking for Defense Suppliers

On Thursday, June 4, the Manufacturers' Association hosted our 2nd Defense Buyers Round Table - and the room was engaged, the conversation was urgent, and the message was clear:
Cybersecurity compliance is no longer optional for defense contractors.

Our guest experts Rob McNellis, Chris Knox, and Chris Jones of CSMI walked our Central PA purchasing and supply chain community through the CMMC rollout timeline:

Nov 2025 - Phase 1 live: Level 1 & 2 self-assessments required
Nov 2026 - Level 2 C3PAO third-party certifications required
Nov 2027 - Level 3 DIBCAC certifications required
Nov 2028 - Full implementation; CMMC required on ALL solicitations and contracts

The hard truth? Most companies in our supply chain are not ready.

And the consequences are already real. In December 2025, the DOJ announced that Swiss Automation Inc., an Illinois precision machining subcontractor, agreed to pay $421,234 to resolve False Claims Act violations for failing to provide adequate cybersecurity protections on technical drawings supplied to DoD prime contractors.

The obligation to implement NIST SP 800-171 security controls has applied to DoD contracts, subcontracts, and suppliers since 2017. This isn't new, but enforcement is intensifying. And the whistleblower? A former quality control manager from inside the company.

If you supply parts, drawings, or services to a defense prime, this applies to you.

The Manufacturers' Association is a proud supporter of the Department of Defense's manufacturing priorities through three key programs: Talent Pipeline Program, TIDE (Talent & Innovation Defense Ecosystem), and PrimeReady. Each one is designed to help companies like yours stay competitive and compliant in the defense supply chain. Reach out to our team to learn more about what each program can do for your business.

06/04/2026

We are excited to share some big news within our Manufacturers Association board leadership!

After a dedicated term serving as Board President, Jon Crothers is transitioning into the role of Immediate Past President, where he will continue to lend his experience and guidance to our board. Jon, your leadership and commitment have meant so much to this organization, and we are grateful for everything you have brought to the table.

Taking the reins as our new Board President is Brett Butler, and stepping into the role of Vice President is Tabitha Musso. Together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the positions, and we could not be more excited to see what the next two years hold under their direction.

Please join us in congratulating Jon, Brett, and Tabitha on these well-deserved transitions. The future of our association is in great hands.

Read more about the transition here: https://na2.hubs.ly/H05YHY80

06/03/2026

Thank You, Neil Poffenberger.

Yesterday morning, we said farewell to one of the board members we've had the privilege of working alongside, Neil Poffenberger, a manufacturing industry veteran with over 35 years of experience in casting and machining.

Over the past 6 years, Neil has been a consistent and supportive presence for our organization. He was with us through our transition to a new location, watched our team grow to where we are today, and saw firsthand the expansion of our trainings, apprenticeships, and events.

Neil, your insight, your presence, and your commitment have left a lasting mark on this organization and every manufacturer we serve. We are forever grateful.

Read more on Neil and also Josh Hedden being re-elected here: https://na2.hubs.ly/H05WTsx0

06/02/2026

Heads up! Our Supply Chain Resilience: Strategies to Strengthen Your Supply Chain and Reduce Risk Wake Up event has moved! We will see you on June 25th instead of June 11th. Same great content, new date. Update your calendars! You can still register here: https://na2.hubs.ly/H05V70F0

We can't wait to see you there. Questions? Drop them in the comments or reach out directly to [email protected]!

05/27/2026

Is Your Company One of Pennsylvania's Best Places to Work?

We are proud to support our partners at Lehigh Valley Business / Central Penn Business Journal in recognizing the Commonwealth's top workplaces!

Their annual Best Places to Work in PA program is now accepting nominations, and we want to see our members represented!

This is a fantastic opportunity to:
- Gain statewide recognition for your workplace culture
- Attract and retain top talent
- Celebrate the employees who make your company great
Registration deadline is June 26th!

The event is held this December in Lancaster, PA. Don't miss your chance to be on the list!

Nominate your company today:
https://na2.hubs.ly/H05M7qB0

Tag a great employer you think deserves recognition!

Best Places to Work in PA is a research-driven program from Best Companies Group that examines your company’s practices, programs and benefits and surveys your employees for their perspective. Companies that meet certain criteria are considered the Best Places to Work in PA.

05/21/2026

What an incredible night at the 120th Annual Manufacturers' Association Event in York, PA! Manufacturing excellence was front and center as some truly amazing businesses and individuals were recognized. Here is a look at this year's celebrated awardees:

Manufacturing Trailblazer Award: Thomas Shipley, founder of York Manufacturing Company and now @ Johnsons Controls, whose legacy shaped an entire industry and employed over 20,000 people at its peak.

Manufacturer of the Year: Joseph Machine, a family-owned powerhouse in Dillsburg averaging 20% annual growth and expanding with a brand new $13M facility!

Manufacturing Innovator Award: JLS Automation, pushing the boundaries of food packaging automation and investing heavily in next-level R&D!

Partner of the Year: York County School of Technology, celebrating 50+ years of outstanding workforce development partnership!

Community Investor Award: Sahd Metal Recycling, a proud third-generation family business serving the community since 1941!

Carl Winters Junior Pre-Apprentice Scholarship: Congratulations to Nicholas Opstbaum from Chester County Technical College High School!

A huge thank you to keynote speaker and retired Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell for inspiring everyone in the room. Here's to 120 years of manufacturing greatness and many more to come!

Want to read a little more on our award winners? Check out our article here: https://na2.hubs.ly/H05H4g20

The Manufacturers' Association shares the awardee winners at the 120th Annual Event featuring Marcus Luttrell.

05/20/2026

The celebration continues, and so does our THANK YOU!

Our 120th Annual Event was truly one for the books, and we couldn't wrap up without giving a huge shoutout to the rest of our incredible sponsors who helped bring the night to life:

Bronze Sponsors: WellSpan | Alro Steel | Wolfgang Confectioners | Motor Technology Inc. | Weldon Solutions | Church & Dwight | Kinsley Construction | JLS Automation | Barley Snyder | Boyer & Ritter LLC | Cargas | The Hershey Company | Fulton Bank

Advertising Sponsors: Pure Water Technology | KBS Waste Solutions

Event Decor Sponsors: The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company | UDNI

Manufacturers' Award Sponsors:
Chesapeake Region Safety Council (MFG of the Year) | WIM (Partner of the Year) | Ledge Inc (Community Investor) | Eckert Seamans | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

Apprentice Recognition Sponsor: Sahd Metal Recycling

Photography Sponsor: Hayman Creative Studio

Your generosity and support make events like this possible. We are endlessly grateful!

05/20/2026

History was made in Central PA!

We were honored to host Rear Admiral Eric Ver Hage, a proud Mechanicsburg native, at our 1st Central PA US Navy Talent Pipeline Program Signing Day! Over 500 men and women officially launched their careers in Maritime and Submarine Industrial Manufacturing. What a moment!

Thank you to all who came out to support and celebrate all the work being done in Central PA for the Defense Industry.

And the celebration doesn't stop there. Navy Week is HERE across the Susquehanna Valley! Catch the Blue Angels at Harrisburg International Airport (May 23-24) and Sailors at the Harrisburg Senators game!

Full Navy Week schedule (through May 26): https://na2.hubs.ly/H05DZy70