2021 Year In Review

Funded by RRRF – Regional Relief and Recovery Fund with Community Futures Huron to provide a supportive confidential review of Employment Attraction & Retention processes for nine HMA manufacturers including Britespan Building Systems Inc, Compass Minerals, Cowbell Brewing, Design Concrete Limited, General Coach Canada, Hayters Turkey Farm, Hensall Co-op, McCann Redi-Mix Inc, Metzgers Meats.

Funded by OMAFRA – Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Community Futures Huron to provide a series of five excellently themed videos of manufacturing in Huron County with HMA manufacturer members Britespan Building Systems Inc, Cos Phi & Industrial Drive Service, General Coach Canada, Hensall Co-op, Lucknow Parts/Helm Welding, Northlander Industries, Progressive Turf, Royal Homes, Van Den Berg Millwrighting.

Funded by Huron County SLED (Supporting Local Economic Development) and OJCP (Ontario Job Creation Partnership) to support members with the General Employee Attraction and Retention Strategy. Please attend an HMA GEARS Event, register employees for the Recognition Awards and log in to the ToolBOX. The HMA GEARS Team is available from August 2021 until August 2022.

Since 2007, the HMA with Libro Credit Union has provided HMA Scholarship Awards supporting more than 50 Huron County youth in manufacturing. This year Libro Credit Union was joined by Britespan Building Systems and Community Futures Huron to present six awards.

2022 has been a hectic year for manufacturing and the HMA after COVID restrictions were relaxed; while the region has still been plagued with housing infrastructure and especially manpower issues the HMA has continued its attempts to provide our membership and manufacturing with;

• increased exposure to our region,
• where possible relevant information, and
• value-added innovative resources and programs.

With the assistance of Huron County SLED and Ontario JCP, we expanded upon 2021’s successful RRRF (Regional Relief Recovery Fund) EAR Employee Attraction & Retention program and developed the General Employee Attraction and Retention Strategy (GEARS). This initiative continues to gain momentum with more of our members utilizing the tools, resources, and rewards available.  If you haven’t yet, check it out on the HMA website – suggestions and comments are welcome as we continue to refresh and update materials.

One of our many events of 2022 that was well attended and well regarded was our Women In Manufacturing webinar held on International Women’s Day in March, with a great cross-section of instructors, employers, and female workers.  We enjoyed a great dialogue and exchange of experiences and celebration of women in manufacturing.  We look forward to hosting again in 2023!

With the covid restrictions finally relaxed, 3 HMA GEARS Job Fairs were organized throughout our region; although poorly attended by potential employees there were some hires.  These events provided much-needed networking opportunities amongst attending manufacturers and associates.

My personal highlight this year had to be our AGM; after 2 years of isolation and mandates, this well-attended event provided all of the attendees a much-needed break from the adversity we’ve endured and a festive kick-off to summer. HMA Membership Fees can now be renewed online with a credit or debit card, by e-transfer, or by cheque.

This fall has seen the HMA somewhat returning to its roots by reopening the meetings to the membership and associates/supporters as well as moving the meetings to different locations and hosts each month, we look forward to your participation.

Also, we were able to return to our well-regarded BUS TOURS.  A huge thanks you to our participating manufacturing hosts, new sponsors, teachers and chaperones, and of course the record number of attending students.

November provided the HMA the opportunity to continue the Scholarship Award presentation.  Thanks to the generous contributions from Libro Credit Union, over the years we have been able to administer 75 scholarships to students graduates, and apprentices  This year we were joined by Britespan Building Systems, Huron County Economic Development, and Progressive Turf in rewarding  7 hardworking students/apprentices towards their goals. Again, we thank all of our partners for their generous support as well as all 23 of this year’s applicants.

In closing this year on behalf of the HMA board of directors, we look forward to continued service and support.

Larry Livingston
Chair of the HMA

• HMA Annual General Meeting was held on Thursday, May 26, 2022 – Join us if you are interested in becoming a
board member!
• Check the HMA GEARS monthly events calendar supporting manufacturers.
• HMA GEARS Recognition Awards allows registration of up to six of your employees for Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum Awards! Our goal is to help you recognize your employees.
• HMA GEARS ToolBOX is updated monthly – a one-stop resource for HMA members offering support
with employee attraction, recruitment, retention, performance, recognition, training, mentorship, health and
happiness and employee support.
• The presentation of the HMA Scholarship Awards were in November 2022.

Thank You for Your Support of the HMA