Member Benefits of the CMA

Membership conveys many benefits. Our statistical programs—many go back to the association’s very beginning in 1922—are highly respected, providing benchmarks for members to gauge their firm’s market-share performance. In addition to monthly shipment reports in eight categories, there are semi-annual unit shipment reports, quarterly import and export reports and semi-annual channels of distribution reports. There are also numerous reports benefiting member firm’s manufacturing operations, including those detailing wages, annual benefits, and work injuries. These reports serve to assist plant operations management in comparing their operations to others.

Committee activities provide unique forums for the proper and legal exchange of ideas among the industry. Current committees include: Statistical, Human Resources, Credit & Collections, Environmental Affairs and Logistical & Electronic Business. These committees bring together managers from these various areas to assist each other in improving their business strategies. An ad hoc Engineering Standards Committee reviews the association’s Engineering Standards on a regular basis and updates them as needed. The CMA Supplier forum brings major suppliers to the industry together with their purchasing counterparts for productive and communicative meetings.

Twice each year, the association gathers to exchange views and learn of trends affecting our industry. In the spring, the association’s annual meeting brings together top CEOs and member-company presidents and their spouses for a two-day meeting. In the fall, the association meets in the Chicago-land area. This intense 1-1/2 day meeting brings all of the active association committees together at one site and at one time for meetings, followed by a keynote address that helps energizes the attendees for the busy fall season by providing unique management tools and motivation.