U.S. Machinery Orders Achieve Record High in 2025
US metalworking machinery orders reached a record $814.3 million in December, an 86.7% month-over-month increase from November and a 60% increase compared to December 2024, according to the US Manufacturing Technology Orders report from AMT, The Association for Manufacturing Technology. Total orders for 2025 amounted to $5.74 billion, surpassing 2024 by 22.5%. More HERE. |
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U.S. Inflation Rate Slows
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released the latest inflation numbers this morning, showing that prices rose at a 2.4% annual rate in January compared with the year prior. The good news is that the inflation came in lower than economists had anticipated, though, unfortunately, it remains stubbornly above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. |
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Manufacturing Gained 5,000 Jobs in January
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the manufacturing industry added 5,000 jobs in January. More HERE. |
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CBO Warns U.S. Debt Path Unsustainable
The latest Congressional Budget Office forecast on debt and deficits over the next 30 years is scary. It shows the debt as a share of our GDP catapulting to ever all time highs. However, if the U.S. economy grows at 3%, the debt curve bends down, and if we grow at 3.5% we pay off the debt in 30 years. More HERE. |
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Can Reshoring Deliver Manufacturing Sustainability Benefits?
Manufacturers may be weighing tariff costs, but they’re also assessing whether domestic production investments can help achieve supply chain resilience, procurement and labor goals. More HERE. |
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Illinois Gives $45M of Taxpayer Money to Select Business Groups
The 30 recipients included Austin African American Business Network Association, Joliet Latino Economic Development Association and the Assyrian American Chamber. While these 30 chambers likely provide legitimate and valuable services to members, state funding of specific chambers effectively subsidizes some businesses and regions over others. More HERE. |
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Visit TMA’S Voter Website for Info on Early and Mail-In Voting for March 17 Primary
Temporary early voting is now open in your area and you can still request a mail-in ballot for the March 17 primary election. Please visit TMA’s voter information page HERE to get all the information you need to vote from your election authority. |
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Podcast Praises TMA for Successful Work on BIPA Reforms
Last week’s episode of “Smoke-Filled Room” praised TMA’s successful efforts in convincing Illinois legislators to enact reforms to the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) to significantly reduce abusive lawsuits that were threatening our state’s small and midsize manufacturers. Click HERE to view. |
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Fluid-Aire Dynamics: Data Logging for TMA
In TMA’s training center, an air compressor from Fluid-Aire Dynamicspowers CNC machines, robotics, and 3D printers for training. With objective, data-driven insight from Fluid-Aire, we avoided a costly compressor upgrade, corrected the real issue, and saved money while maintaining reliable performance. Click video right for more. |
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| A Conversation with Illinois Gubernatorial Candidate Darren Bailey
Time: 8:00am-8:30am | Location: Online | Info & Registration: HERE |
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| Lunch & Tour: Keats Manufacturing Co.
Time: 11:30am-1:30pm | Location: Wheeling, IL | Info & Registration: HERE |
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| TMA New Legislator Welcome Breakfast
Time: 7:30am-9:00am | Location: Springfield, IL | Info & Registration: HERE |
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| TMA on Tap: Machesney Park
Time: 4:30pm-6:00pm | Location: Machesney Park, IL | Info & Registration: HERE |
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| A Conversation with Illinois Gubernatorial Candidate Ted Dabrowski
Time: 8:00am-8:30am | Location: Online | Info & Registration: HERE |
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Customized On-Site Training
TMA provides members customized, on-site training tailored to the unique needs of your company and employees. Both our technical, non-technical, and leadership training programs are designed to be both convenient and impactful, featuring expert instructors with extensive experience who serve as trusted sources of industry knowledge and best practices. Our training emphasizes practical learning, allowing participants to engage in real-world scenarios that enhance their skills and knowledge. We invite you to explore our customized on-site training initiatives as a way to drive innovation and competitiveness within your organizations. | For more information, email Cassie Khurana HERE. |
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Apprentice Services
TMA’s Apprenticeship Services help employers build and manage Department of Labor (DOL) registered apprenticeship programs with confidence. Our expert staff will guide you through every step, including custom program creation and registration, ongoing compliance tracking, audit support, and onboarding for apprentices and mentors in both English and Spanish. We also provide insight on available funding, tax credits, and GI Bill benefits. If you’re looking to streamline the process and set your program up for long-term success, email Cassie Khurana HERE. |
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HEALTH INSURANCE
TMA Health Solutions is the leading insurance partner for small and midsize manufacturers. We assess, advise, and offer innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective health benefit plans and services. We take time to understand and assist your business so you can recruit and retain the best employees.
For more information, click HERE |
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| RISK MANAGEMENT
The Daniel and Henry Co. is an insurance and risk management firm providing property and casualty insurance and consultation for small and midsize manufacturers. As TMA’s partner, D&H helps protect your business against the unexpected. If it makes an impact on your business, Daniel & Henry handles it.
For more information, click HERE or HERE |
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SALES & MARKETING
TMA helps members attract customers through marketing, logo development, website design, social media, etc. TMA sources suppliers to find the right fit for all size manufacturers. To complement this program, we can also provide prospects for members through Hoovers/Dunn & Bradstreet.
For more information, click HERE |
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| BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
TMA provides members access to the global prospecting database – Hoovers/Dunn & Bradstreet. TMA staff engage with members to help determine targeted industries based on their capabilities. We then search the database and provide the member a usable spreadsheet report with prospective targets.
For more information, click HERE |
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RETIREMENT | 401K
TMA offers members a professional, world-class 401K program that reduces costs and shifts admin and liability to a TMA 401K Board of Directors that acts as a Fiduciary Advisor managing member plan documents, service providers, and legal costs while offering investment funds not available to smaller plans.
For more information, click HERE |
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| HUMAN RESOURCES
TMA provides members free HR counsel with unlimited phone and email consultation via the TMA HR Hotline. Members also have access to the review and analysis of their personnel policies, work rules, and employee handbook by HR attorneys at a TMA-discounted price, as well as regular updates on important HR issues.
For more information, click HERE |
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TMA HR HOTLINE
TMA members have access to unlimited, professional HR counsel free of charge via our
HR Hotline at 888-849-0451. Additional HR services provided at a TMA discounted rate. |
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