18 MiMfg Magazine September 2021
safety and attendance lunches . For the communities we serve , you will see the Community Involvement teams working with the employees to collect donations for Gleaners or participating in a corn hole tournament to raise money for a local robotics team or volunteering at a Chamber event or collecting supplies and donations for back to school projects — the list goes on and on !”
Kettner at The Shyft Group described their upcoming “ Touch the Truck ” event where they ’ re bringing out some of their heavy-duty trucks for local kids to explore and interact .
We want to retain our employees . We want them to be part of the solution . We want them to feel that they ’ re needed and necessary . We ’ re spending a lot more time communicating with them than we have in the past .
— Suzanne Morrison Hatch Stamping Company
“ The kids get to climb in the trucks and see how they work ,” says Kettner . “ We ’ ll have utility vehicles and fire trucks and those sort of things . It ’ s pretty exciting and it ’ s fun . It gives people a sense of who you are and what you do , and I think it ’ s a point of pride for our employees also .”
What ’ s Next ?
When looking to the future , Dergis has one piece of advice : “ Anything employers can do to make their employees feel valued and like they are making an impact is really important .”
Whether it is by increasing pay , instituting a flexible , work-from-home schedule , reboarding or retaining staff or hosting more appreciation events , the way to retain employees is clear : make them feel safe , appreciated and that they have a future with the company . These are the weapons manufacturers must have in their arsenal to continue to battle the talent struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond . 6
Have a manufacturing story to tell ? E-mail communications @ mimfg . org .
Update Your Directory Listing and Broaden Your Reach !
Connections and networking are vital parts of running a successful business .
One way to find your next partner or client is through MMA ’ s online membership directories . MMA members are listed in one of two directories : the Industry Member Directory includes small and large manufacturers or suppliers in every industrial sector and the Associate
Member Directory ( now accessible to both members and non-members ) includes critical service providers and trusted experts who support Michigan ’ s industry .
It is important to keep your listing current so login today to MyMMA at mimfg . org to verify and update your company ’ s listing , add a description , images and more .
Customize Your Directory Listing Login to MyMMA at mimfg . org to make sure your company gets noticed by customizing your company listing with description , images and more .
Company Name
Street Address Street Address
Company Name Street Address
Street Address
Directory Contact : Charles Hauser Directory Contact Phone : 517-371-9775 Directory Contact Email : chauser @ grangernet . com Primary NAICS Code : 56221 - Waste Treatment and Disposal
Need Help ?
Contact MMA ’ s Elizabeth Maciejewski , at 517-487-8542 or maciejewski @ mimfg . org .