Midwest Archives

Coaching a Manufacturing Team to Success: JH Botts’ Larry Spelman

J.H. Botts’ General Manager, Larry Spelman, has a leadership style that reflects his passion for football, which he developed in high school and college.

Spelman attended the University of Richmond on a football scholarship and, after playing quarterback and tight end, graduated in 1990 with a double major in criminal justice and sociology. After a period of interviewing with and considering the Secret Service, he decided to pursue another career path.

December 4, 2025 No Comments

Small and Midsize Manufacturers Strongly Oppose Illinois’ Latest $1.5B Energy Rate Hike

SCHAUMBURG, IL – Small and midsize manufacturers, alongside the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA), are voicing their strong opposition to SB25’s latest amendment as the bill would impose a significant financial burden on Illinois consumers and businesses, with estimated costs reaching $1.5 billion.

October 30, 2025 No Comments

Citizens’ Utility Board warns of June 1st 45% price spike on Com Ed bills

From May 19th, 2025 Citizens Utility Board press release – CHICAGO, IL – Commonwealth Edison’s summer price for electricity is set to increase significantly on

May 19, 2025 No Comments

TMA visits with Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson

ELK GROVE VILLAGE – In Chicago’s western suburbs near O’Hare Airport is a village that boasts about its world-class data center and nationally-renowned manufacturing park.

TMA’s Advocacy Team visited with Mayor Craig Johnson, who shared some of the village’s insights and rationale for catering to businesses.

March 13, 2025 No Comments

TMA Training & Education: Past, Present and Future

Standing in the doorway of the Technology & Manufacturing Association’s (TMA) Training Center in 2025, one can’t help but be in awe of how 21st-century manufacturing is evolving, and contemplate how much different a manufacturing training center must have looked in 1945.

February 11, 2025 No Comments

Small and Midsize Manufacturers Divided Over U.S. Tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China

SCHAUMBURG, IL – A new survey by the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA) finds small and midsize manufacturers split over imposing tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. As organizations put out statements supporting or opposing tariffs, TMA spoke to their members to see where manufacturers actually stand on this trade policy.

February 11, 2025 No Comments

TMA talks taxes, immigration, and energy with House Republican Leader Tony McCombie

SCHAUMBURG – An array of topics, from election results to immigration and energy, were covered in a webinar discussion with Illinois Republican House Leader Tony McCombie earlier this week with TMA Advocacy Team members David Curtin and Rich Carter.

December 6, 2024 No Comments

Small and Midsize Manufacturers Join Lawsuit to Protect Employers’ Free Speech

SCHAUMBURG, IL – The Technology & Manufacturing Association has signed on as a second plaintiff on behalf of small and midsize manufacturers to the Liberty Justice Center’s lawsuit against Public Act 103-0722 (SB 3649), which prohibits employers from discussing certain topics with employees.

November 17, 2024 No Comments

TMA’s Supplier Network: Transforming needs and ideas into solutions and actions

TMA Associate members are businesses that offer services, equipment, machinery, or materials unique to companies that qualify as manufacturer members that are not normally performed by manufacturer members.

Affiliate members consist of companies providing services to manufacturer members by neither manufacturer nor Affiliate members.

Together, the Associates and Affiliates create TMA’s robust Supplier Network.

November 13, 2024 No Comments

TMA Members Join Together for 48th Annual Christians In Manufacturing Prayer Breakfast

SCHAUMBURG – For the 48th time, members of the Technology & Manufacturing Association gathered on the first Friday of November to pray and celebrate the

November 4, 2024 No Comments

Category: Midwest