PMPA Connecticut Chapter Demo & Tour of Uconn Institute of Materials Science

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PMPA Connecticut Chapter Demo & Tour of Uconn Institute of Materials Science

Friday, June 26, 2026 (3:00pm – 5:00pm)

UConn – The Institute of Materials Science
25 King Hill Rd
Storrs, CT 06269

Access to world-class material testing and reverse engineering resources? What could be better?

Join the PMPA CT Chapter for an exclusive Demo & Tour of the UConn Institute of Materials Science (IMS) and discover how manufacturers can leverage advanced testing and analysis resources to stay competitive.

The event includes a guided tour of the IMS facility with a live demo, access to the CAMMA labs & Reverse Engineering labs at the UConn Innovation Partnership Building and more!

ARTICLE – Develop a Culture of Goal Setting

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Develop a Culture of Goal Setting

With a new year, leaders can shape their organization’s future by modeling purposeful, measurable goals, empowering their teams and creating a lasting culture of goal setting.

by David Wynn

Director of Technical Services & Industry Affairs, PMPA

Published January 1, 2026

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A new year is upon us. It is the time for leaders to cast a vision for our organizations in this new year. We build goals around that vision to make it a reality. It is important to set goals. Goals are the cornerstone of high-achieving shops. However, before we can set goals for our shop performers, it is critical that we, as leaders, have our own goals in order. When goals are used properly, they have an almost magic power to drive the leader’s vision. For our goals to be effective we must be sure they reflect that vision. When goals are used properly, they guide all actions in a shop. Have we set and are we following goals for ourselves?

As leaders we are the example for goal setting. We want our performers to be setting and achieving goals. It is important for us as leaders to set goals for ourselves and let the team know about it. We must show our own commitment to the cause. By demonstrating success at using goals, our model can both teach and inspire our performers. What is a good goal? How do we set and accomplish relevant goals? Let’s take a look.

Anatomy of a Goal

What is being accomplished?
This is the beginning of the goal. List out what is going to be done. Make it specific. Ensure that it is measurable. Make sure it is a bit of a stretch. It is amazing how far a leader can go when the leader starts working systematically toward a goal, so do not be afraid to push.

What is the due date?
Setting a due date. This step is critical. If the leader does not have a set time to get it done, then it is not a goal, it is a dream. The leader needs a date to have it achieved by and set target check-ins, so the goal does not get behind. Due dates make the organization accountable to its vision.

How is the goal going to be measured?
It must be measurable. Is the organization going to increase efficiencies by 10%? Are we accomplishing 5S in a department? Remember Boolean (true/false) goals are still a measure. Either it is achieved or not.

Who is responsible for achieving the goal?
Who is the person that will be held accountable for the goal completion. If it is a personal goal, then you should be looking in the mirror. For company goals, the leader must build a team around them to help hold the leader accountable. The leader’s job is to ensure the team has both responsibility and authority to accomplish their own goals. The leader cannot hold the team accountable for achieving goals for which they do not have the power to allocate resources.

The Culture

It is important for the leader to communicate goals, even personal goals, with the team. As leaders we are the drivers of culture in our shops. If we want a culture of goal setting, we must set the example. Leaders should show how their own success is built on goals. Leaders then can elevate their team by showing them how the team can grow with goals. This is how leaders can build high-achieving teams in their shops.

Once the leader has established an example of successful goal setting, the organization will embrace the culture of setting goals. It becomes self-perpetuating. The leader, by example, has established a culture where performers are empowered to create goals. Performance and job satisfaction will increase. Now the leader can create and share the vision and allow the performers to set goals to achieve that vision. Leaders communicate the process of setting goals and the achievement of those goals with team. Giving the team ownership in the goals allows the leader to cascade the feeling of accomplishment to all members. Each department can create a vision based on the company vision. Now the performers in each of those departments can set their goals to align with the departmental vision which is aligned to the company vision. We now have complete and total alignment from top to bottom. The leader has now created a culture of goal setting.

Take time to cast the vision and build goals around the vision. Clearly communicating the path for achieving that vision. It is a new year. With it comes new beginnings and a chance to use the calendar as the reset button to refocus our efforts for our organizations. Go and create a culture of
goal setting.

Author

David Wynn is the PMPA Director of Technical Services & Industry Affairs with over 20 years of experience in the areas of manufacturing, quality, ownership, IT and economics. Email David

ARTICLE – It’s a Moving Experience, Part 2

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It’s a Moving Experience, Part 2

Moving after 75 years: planning, people and purpose.

by Carli Kistler-Miller

Director of Programs & Marketing | President of the Educational Foundation, PMPA

Published January 1, 2026

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In part one of W.H. Bagshaw’s moving story, Vice President Adria Bagshaw shared the financial and logistical insights behind moving after 75 years in the same facility. But beyond spreadsheets and mortgages, the heart of the transition lay in people, planning and purpose.

Hire for Expertise, Not Just Execution
To guide the complex move, W.H. Bagshaw brought in a project planner who had spent decades in manufacturing and now specialized in helping companies relocate. “He’s seen everything that can go wrong,” Adria says. “He’s helped us sequence every step so we knew exactly who’s doing what.”

That clarity was crucial. The move was set for late May 2025, with a goal of having machines running by June 2, 2025. Adria credited their consultant’s experience with keeping the process smooth and stress manageable. “He’s not just a planner,” she says, “he’s a translator between chaos and order.”

Build Engagement Through Ownership
Instead of outsourcing every task, W.H. Bagshaw leaned on its own people. Employees volunteered weekends to clean and paint, and interns were hired to help with IT, wiring and smaller projects. “They’ve put their heart and soul into this building,” Adria says.

That sense of ownership is part of the company’s culture. “We’re a family business in every sense,” she says. “Using our own team wasn’t just cost-effective, it was meaningful.”

Recognize the Builders
When one machinist with architectural training took on the layout design, W.H. Bagshaw rewarded him. “He was so proud,” she says. “We plan to make a plaque with everyone’s names — like architects on a building. It’s their legacy.”

Keep Communication Visual and Open
Transparency was the key throughout the move. “Every time we updated the layout, we printed it large and posted it with sticky notes for comments,” Adria explains. “It kept people engaged and they caught the little things — like storage space and a hand washing station — that are easy to miss.”
W.H. Bagshaw opened its new doors on schedule. Adria reflects on the journey with gratitude. “We’ve been guided by experience, collaboration and a whole lot of teamwork,” she says. “After 75 years, this move isn’t just about a new address — it’s about building the next generation of who we are.”

Author

Carli Kistler-Miller, MBA has over 25 years of experience with operations, event/meeting planning, marketing, writing and communications.
Email: cmiller@pmpa.org — Website: pmpa.org.

ARTICLE – In Case You Missed It

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ICYMI- In Case You Missed It

by Joe Jackson

Director of Communications & Events, PMPA

Published January 1, 2026

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New Members

Rimeco Products Inc.
Southern Michigan Center for Science and Industry
Swisset Tool Company
Comet Tool Inc.

Past Events

PMPA Illinois Chapter Dale Carnegie Workshop: Communicating with Different Personality Styles

Speaking Of Precision Podcasts

Talking Business Part 11 with John Detterbeck
Powder 3D Printing for the Shop Six Reasons Steel is Vacuum Treated
Speaking of Precision: Season 6 Finale (Blooper Reel)
Decarburization
Talking Business Part 12 with John Detterbeck
Regulatory Update

Committees

PMPA’s IT Committee met at INDEX Corporation in Noblesville, IN to start planning
their sessions for Management Update Conference 2026 (March 5-7 in Charlotte, NC)
and for the National Technical Conference 2026 (May 3-5 in Toledo, OH.)

ListServe Communities Topics

Have a specific question or challenge? PMPA’s ListServes — Technical, Quality, HR, IT, and Corporate — let you tap into
the right community of peers who’ve been there, solved that! Here are the top conversations in the Listserve Community
last month:

Technical : Optical Measuring System Recommendations: Member looking for new optical measuring system.
Technical : Oil Mist / Exhaust: Member looking for solutions to machine leaking oil mist.
Corporate : Switzerland Trade Deal: Conversation between members of 15% flat rate tariffs for Switzerland.
IT : Building your own AI using C#:Member shared information on the ease of building an AI system.
Quality : Clean spec questions: Members sharing information on Industry 4.0 for small and medium machine shops

Interested in Membership?
Email Harry Centa at hcenta@pmpa.org

Author

Joe Jackson

Director of Communications & Events, PMPA

Email: jjackson@pmpa.org — Website: pmpa.org.

CRIBSHEET – #147: 2025 Year End Regulatory Update

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PMPA Craftsman Cribsheet #147: 2025 Year End Regulatory Update

A roundup of regulations and proposed rules from Washington D.C. in 2025. PMPA actively lobbies through its PAC and made changes on issues like bonus deprecation, Section 179 expensing and domestic R&D.

Published January 1, 2026

By David Wynn, Director of Technical Services & Industry Affairs

Download/View Cribsheet

Proposed OSHA Indoor Heat Rule. Hearings concluded on July 2, 2025 and post hearing comment period closed October 30, 2025. PMPA testified before the committee and submitted post hearing comments. The Heat Rule as proposed would put significant burden on shops to comply (including loss of capacity) especially shops in the South where ambient temperatures are often above 80º F even in air-conditioned shops.

Final Rule Modifying the HCS. Updates to Hazard Communication Standard to align with revision 7 of the Globally Harmonized system of Classification or GHS. Final rule was effective July 19, 2024. Starting in July of 2026, employers will be expected to update workplace labels, hazard communications programs and training as necessary to comply with the 2024 update.

OSHA NEP (National Emphasis Program) on Amputations in Manufacturing Industries. Our NAICS Code, 332721 Precision Turned Product Manufacturing, is listed in Appendix B of the NEP, which allows for unprogrammed inspections of facilities. Greater emphasis on Machinery and Machine Guarding, 29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart O and The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout), 29 CFR 1910.147.

EPA Trichloroethylene (TCE) Restrictions. Prohibited after September 15, 2025 for industrial and commercial use. Vapor degreasing use prohibited after December 18, 2025 except for uses listed in 40 CFR § 751.305(b)(7).

EPA Perchloroethylene (PCE) Restrictions. PCE prohibited for industrial or commercial use after June 7, 2027. Some continued use where no safe alternative exists. Extensive record-keeping requirements for continued use. 40 CFR Part 751, subpart G.

Positive Changes

OSHA Deregulatory Rulemaking. OSHA asked for public comment in September 2025 on proposed deregulatory package that moves to modernize and streamline regulations to allow more flexibility in compliance across industries. (Included: Interpretation of the General Duty Clause, Lead, Occupational Injury and illness Recording and Reporting Requirements — withdrawal of addition of column for musculoskeletal disorders).

Permanent 100% Bonus Depreciation. New 2025 tax legislation permanently reinstates 100% bonus depreciation for all qualified assets placed in service after January 19, 2025. This provides significant tax savings opportunities for manufacturers investing in new machinery and equipment. This has been a top priority for PMPA in Washington.

Expanded Section 179 Expensing. The cap for Section 179 deductions increased to $2.5 million, with the phase-out beginning at $4 million, more than double the previous limits.

Domestic R&D Expensing. Research and development costs for domestic activities are now fully deductible in the year incurred, replacing a prior five-year amortization requirement.

Buy America Requirements. For Federal-aid transportation projects, a new Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) rule will require that final assembly of manufactured products occurs in the U.S. and that domestic components constitute more than 55% of the total cost, effective October 1, 2025.

Bottom Line

Working with our Inside Beltway team in Washington D.C. helps PMPA to stay focused and act on developing tax and regulatory issues that can impact your shop. PMPA actively lobbies through our PAC and made real changes on issues like bonus deprecation, Section 179 expensing and domestic R&D. PMPA members with any questions about the PAC or our regulatory efforts please contact David Wynn at dwynn@pmpa.org.

Author

David Wynn

David Wynn, MBA, is the PMPA Director of Technical Services & Industry Affairs with over 20 years of experience in the areas of manufacturing, quality, ownership, IT and economics. Email: dwynn@pmpa.org — Website: pmpa.org.

ARTICLE – Key Takeaways from the PMPA 2025 Annual Meeting

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Key Takeaways from the PMPA 2025 Annual Meeting

Discover how the PMPA 2025 Annual Meeting elevated the industry through high-impact networking and expert insights.

by David Wynn

Director of Technical Services & Industry Affairs, PMPA

Published December 1, 2025

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The 92^nd PMPA 2025 Annual Meeting brought together leaders and innovators from the precision machining industry for a dynamic weekend of connection, learning and inspiration. From high-impact networking events to expert-led sessions on business strategy, contract law, government affairs and the future of AI, attendees gained actionable insights and forged relationships that will help their businesses thrive. This year’s meeting truly elevated the industry, setting the stage for continued growth and collaboration among PMPA members.

Avish Parashar — who wrote the book “Say ‘Yes, And!’: 2 Little Words That Will Transform Your Career, Organization and Life” — kicked off the business sessions. Avish was an improvisational comic who learned that techniques in the fast-paced world of unscripted comedy are useful in business and life. Avish kept us on our toes and illustrated using “Yes, And!” in a practical way to improve our businesses.

Jonathan Jorissen enlightened attendees with key items to review in business contracts. He provided insights about UCC superseding certain contract language to understand how duration can affect your contracts. Even understanding how jurisdictions can affect negotiations because contract case law can change from state-to-state. Jonathan had an open discussion during his session and was also available for questions helping members solving real world problems.

After Jonathan, Omar Nashashibi from Inside Beltway, our retained lobbyist in Washington D.C., shared fact after fact on current events. Everything from the political climate to regulations to the latest information on tariffs. In case you missed this session, PMPA members have access to a live monthly webinar with updates from Omar. As part of our mission, PMPA is devoted to advocacy for our industry and provides a voice in Washington on key issues facing the precision machining industry.

Gene Marks shared his expertise about strategic moves which was filled with entertainment and a notebook’s worth of takeaways. Gene is an author who wrote six books on business management. He also is a columnist for numerous periodicals including The New York Times, Forbes, Washington Post, Inc. Magazine and more. Gene is also a certified public accountant helping businesses solve problems every day.

On day three, Jim Camp Jr. from Camp Negotiation Systems spoke on leadership. Jim is a retired Major General of the United States Air Force where he put his leadership ideas to the test. Jim helped our members understand negotiations from their unique perspective. His session was packed with ideas and tactics to aid our shops during tough negotiations. Breaking down what the rest of the world thinks and how a negotiation should proceed, Jim brought an understanding to the group to maximize the potential for the best deal.

The final speaker was Geoff Marsh, managing partner at Amend Consulting, who delved into how AI is now and will affect our businesses. Geoff explained AI as a tool and gave realistic expectations as to how AI affects manufacturing.

The meeting ended with our annual awards banquet. The awards banquet is where we recognize members for outstanding achievement in our association and the PMPA Board of Directors welcomes the new president.

One of the biggest advantages of being a PMPA member is networking. The connections you make at PMPA events can turn into friendships that last a lifetime. The annual meeting is a great place for owners and upper management to catch up and talk about high-level issues in their businesses.

PMPA has two other meetings dedicated towards different audiences so that there is something for everyone at PMPA. Management Update is beneficial for managers and the team that manages day-to-day operations. The National Technical Conference (NTC) is designed to upskill shopfloor performers and focuses on the challenges that happen on the shop floor every day. PMPA members have so many benefits to help improve their businesses and the most impactful is that we are truly Better Together.

Author

David Wynn is the PMPA Director of Technical Services & Industry Affairs with over 20 years of experience in the areas of manufacturing, quality, ownership, IT and economics. Email David

ARTICLE – It’s a Moving Experience, Part 1

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It’s a Moving Experience, Part 1

Moving after 75 years: Lessons from W.H. Bagshaw’s big leap.

by Carli Kistler-Miller

Director of Programs & Marketing | President of the Educational Foundation, PMPA

Published December 1, 2025

Download Magazine Article

After 75 years in the same Nashua, New Hampshire building, W.H. Bagshaw decided it was time for a change — a move both bold and strategic. Vice President Adria Bagshaw shared how the family-run company prepared for the transition, offering practical lessons for any manufacturer facing a major move.

Start With the Numbers
Adria, along with her husband and W.H. Bagshaw President, Aaron Bagshaw, began by taking a close look at the company’s finances — literally line by line. Adria says, “I dumped our income statement into an Excel spreadsheet and went through it with the team.” The goal was to see how each expense might change in a new facility. That exercise revealed both short-term costs and long-term savings. “We knew our old building needed a new roof and boiler,” she explains. “So, while the move was expensive, it was the right strategic decision.”

Shop Around, Even If You Love Your Bank
The company sold its long-time building and took on a larger mortgage. Adria’s advice: Never assume loyalty equals the best deal. “We loved our bank,” she says, “but we still shopped the loan. Because of that pressure, they gave us a much better rate.” W.H. Bagshaw also secured participation from the state’s Business Finance Authority, saving tens of thousands in early interest.

Visit Other Shops
Before finalizing plans, the W.H. Bagshaw team visited other manufacturers to learn from their experiences. Fellow PMPA member Reader Precision in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, opened its doors to the Bagshaws to share its moving expereience. There was one hot topic: floors. “Everyone had a different opinion — polished concrete or epoxy,” Adria shares. “We went with epoxy. It wasn’t cheap, but it was the right fit for us.”

Use Your Own Resources
W.H. Bagshaw turned inward for help. A young machinist with architectural training designed the plant layout, which saved time and money. “He was proud, and the team loved being part of the process,” says Adria. Employees also worked overtime on weekends to clean, paint and set up the new facility, reinforcing the company’s culture of ownership.

Keep Everyone Involved
To make sure no detail was overlooked, the layout was printed large and posted in the shop. “We gave everyone sticky notes to add suggestions,” Adria says. “The people using the space caught things we might have missed.”
Moving after three-quarters of a century wasn’t easy, but for W.H. Bagshaw, it was energizing. As Adria puts it: “When your whole team helps build the future, the move isn’t just physical, it’s transformational.”

Author

Carli Kistler-Miller, MBA has over 25 years of experience with operations, event/meeting planning, marketing, writing and communications.
Email: cmiller@pmpa.org — Website: pmpa.org.

ARTICLE – In Case You Missed It

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ICYMI- In Case You Missed It

by Joe Jackson

Director of Communications & Events, PMPA

Published December 1, 2025

Download Magazine Article

New Members

Continuous Process Improvement Systems
Machine Incorporated
Tancredi Machining
Star Machine LLC

Past Events

PMPA Annual Meeting 2025

PMPA Educational Foundation Golf Outing

Upcoming Events

December 3 | PMPA Northern Ohio Chapter President’s Round Table / Holiday Social:
Cleveland, OH

Speaking Of Precision Podcasts

Talking Business Part 10 with John Detterbeck
Resin Printing for the Shop
From Defining to Preventing Errors
Updates from Washington D.C.

Committees

PMPA’s Quality Committee met at Horn USA in Franklin, TN to start planning
their sessions for National Technical Conference 2026 (May 3-5 in Toledo, OH.)

ListServe Communities Topics

Have a specific question or challenge? PMPA’s ListServes — Technical, Quality, HR, IT, and Corporate — let you tap into the right community of peers who’ve been there, solved that! Here are the top five conversations in the Listserve Community last month:

Technical : Matrix Clutch ZC45: Member looking for replacement clutch parts.
Technical : Molding Material For ID
Features: Member looking for molding material to check internal features on parts.
Technical : Certification IS00906633 Heat Treatment: Member looking for help understanding Heat Treat specs.
Technical : Nadcap fluoropolymer coating: Member looking for NADCAP heat treatment services in/near Texas.
Technical : Member looking for a rod bending/forming company
IT: Industry 4.0: Members sharing information on Industry 4.0 for Small and Medium Machine Shops

Interested in Membership?
Email Harry Centa at hcenta@pmpa.org

Author

Joe Jackson

Director of Communications & Events, PMPA

Email: jjackson@pmpa.org — Website: pmpa.org.

CRIBSHEET – #146: Powder Bed Printing for the Shop

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PMPA Craftsman Cribsheet #146: Powder Bed Printing for the Shop

Published December1, 2025

By David Wynn, Director of Technical Services & Industry Affairs

Download/View Cribsheet

Powder bed printing has been around for a while but has typically been available for high-end printers. The raw material is a powder which is fused together with heat or a chemical binder. In general, parts must be post processed to complete the part. Typically, loosely bound material (green-highlighted section) will be heat-treated and washed to reach the finished condition. Metal can be printed using this method. Prints can also be hollow like fused deposition modeling (FDM). Tolerances ±0.015 inch can be achieved, but dimensional change during heat treatment can make tight tolerances challenging.

*All data presented in the image above is for reference. Mechanical properties can vary based on raw material used, 3D printer specifications and heat-treat postprocessing — presented as a general guideline to the above materials. Items in green are for comparison to standard materials.

Author

David Wynn

PMPA/ITR Economics Forecast Report November 2025

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The November 2025 ITR Economics report has been released. The ITR Economics quarterly forecast report gives us insight into eight industries that are the primary drivers of our shops’ success. The ability to consistently look into the future with actionable data gives us a competitive edge. The reason that PMPA members closely follow the ITR Quarterly forecast report is that the ITR process of analysis clarifies and makes patterns clear that the news cycle seems to miss. The November report shows recovery is coming. “The biggest bang for your buck this cycle will be to focus on improving your company efficiencies.” Check out in this month’s PMPA November 2025 Economic Report from ITR Economics.

View/Download

The Institute for Trend Research (ITR) quarterly reports focus on major areas of economic growth and decline in key market segments for the Precision Machined Products Industry. They are provided to PMPA members as part of the association’s overall business intelligence program and are used as a management tool to help PMPA members plan for what lies ahead and which markets they should focus on in a complex manufacturing environment.