September 2007
CONNECTION
Chicago Association of Spring Manufacturers, Inc
Mark You Calendar
September 20, 2007
Membership Program
Colletti’s Restaurant
October 18, 2007
Membership Program
Colletti’s Restaurant
November 8, 2007
Special Event
CASMI Membership &
Suppliers Dinner
Rosewood Restaurant
Rosemont, IL
December 13, 2007
Annual Holiday Party
Colletti’s Restaurant
A New Connection Newsletter Format
At the CASMI Board’s Summer Board meeting,
the Board decided to make some changes to
the CASMI Connection newsletter that is sent
throughout the year. In the past, two distinct
versions of the newsletter were produced
and sent to members and to suppliers. Often
there were items that were repeated in both
segments announcing programs, golf outings
the dinner dance, etc.
The Board thought that the spring industry
news found in both segments should be shared
with all participants in our spring industry, thus
starting with this issue, the CASMI Connection
newsletter will become a singular production
effort, and will have new graphics.
In addition, the newsletter will now be sent
electronically to the entire CASMI membership
and all suppliers. In this manner CASMI will
save a great amount of money that has been
spent on printing and postage costs, that can
February 9, 2008
2008 Annual Dinner Dance
Twin Orchard Country Club
Long Grove, IL
October 15-17, 2008
2008 SpringWorld Show
Rosemont Convention Center
Rosemont, IL
go into more and better programming for the
membership. This approach will also offer
quicker production turnaround to make the
newsletter more beneficial.
This email delivery approach will also allow you
to send the email newsletter on to other parties
within your firm and perhaps to prospective
suppliers and prospective members.
It is important that we have or receive your
preferred email address for reciept of the
newsletter. The key will be to obtain working
email addresses, so that our CASMI database
is complete and up to date. For anyone out
there without an email address, please let us
know and copies of the electronic newsletter
will be produced and sent to you by mail.
As always, we are interested in your company
news and promotions. Send this information to
Tom Renk at tom@casmi.org or
tom@aeinc.org.
Upcoming Membership Program
September 20, 2007 – Colletti’s Restaurant
Guest Speaker: Fred C. Garfield, CFP® ChFC CLU RHU
Senior Vice President, The Horton Group
Wellness and Health Initiatives Can Help Control Your Healthcare Costs
Published by
Chicago Association of Spring
Manufacturers, Inc.
1601 N Bond Street, Suite 303
Naperville, IL 60563
630.369.3466
630.369.3773 Fax
info@casmi.org
tom@aeinc.org
www.casmi.org
In 2004, I was happy to present a presentation
on consumerism, including HRA and HSA
plans. As I predicted, not many of your
company members have successfully
embraced these ideas– mostly because
members are unaware of their risks and not
managing their health properly.
If you could eliminate 25% or more of your
healthcare claims, which are identifiable and
preventable, do you think it would help your
costs? Would healthier employees mean less
employment related expense? Would your
productivity be improved with less absenteeism
and “presenteeism”? Find out how to improve
your health ratio of your employees.
The Horton Group has developed programs
over the past ten years, and a successful
track record, in getting clients off of the rate
rollercoaster and renewing more competitively
than other companies. Simple steps, many of
which are fun and build company spirit, will
be discussed in this brief presentation. Also,
a case study will be shown as an example
of wellness and good health successfully
becoming a company performance
expectation.
October Membership Program to Feature
APPI Saving Solutions
October 18, 2007 – Colletti’s Restaurant
Guest Speaker: Kathy Kiernan
Senior Vice President, Affiliated Power Purchasers Int’l (APPI)
APPI Savings Solutions Program
The APPI Savings Solutions Program, an ASAE-endorsed
member benefit program since 1998, provides commercial and
industrial businesses and non-profit organizations with specific
solutions that reduce and manage electricity costs.
Electricity deregulation offers businesses the opportunity to
seek the best combination of price, terms and conditions, and
reliability from competing electricity suppliers. To realize these
benefits, market knowledge and timing are essential. The ability to
negotiate favorable contract terms and conditions is critical. APPI
provides the knowledge and technical skills necessary to navigate
complex energy markets.
Benefits to the Members:
The Process:
As an independent energy consulting firm, APPI’s staff of
engineers, industry analysts, and regulatory experts will:
•
Assign a Utility Consultant to work specifically with you.
•
Analyze your electric accounts and existing supplier
contracts.
•
Conduct RFPs; solicit offers from qualified electricity
suppliers.
•
Work to obtain the best rate, contract terms and
conditions.
•
Handle all paperwork, and manage the transition to the
new supplier.
•
Oversee your electricity accounts moving forward for
optimum performance.
•
Monitor the market for new opportunities and continue its
due diligence of suppliers.
•
Simple process; minimal time commitment; significant
rewards.
•
Contingency based/No upfront costs or fees.
•
Thorough analysis of electricity accounts.
•
Staff and consulting partners with expertise and
experience in all deregulated areas.
•
Reviews and revises tariffs where applicable.
•
•
Always represent the member business, never the
suppliers.
Ten years of experience working with associations and
their members.
•
Experience in every deregulated electricity state.
•
No obligation to accept/implement recommendations.
•
Association royalty of 6% of all member activity.
•
Ongoing audit review of all electricity accounts.
•
Implemented and completed eighteen successful
aggregation programs.
•
Fully staffed marketing department.
Benefits to the Association:
CASMI Fall Golf Outing Recap
2008 SpringWorld Update
CASMI held its Annual Fall Golf Outing on Thursday September
6th at the Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale. Over 90 golfers
both members and suppliers took to the fairways and had a great
round of Best Ball Golf. While it did rain a bit causing some slow
down of play, the golfers took everything in stride (thanks to
the Beer Cart Lady who braved the elements to keep the liquid
floating).
The 2008 SpringWorld Show in Rosemont is moving along well.
Over 70% of the existing Show floor space has been spoken for
and committed, much of it to prior
exhibitors that want to be a part of
the largest Spring Manufacturing
equipment Show in the world.
After the round of golf over 100 people joined in for dinner, a
short business meeting, and a whole host of door prizes that were
given away to all attendees. Everyone got a prize of their choice,
including golf items, non-golf gifts, and gift cards.
CASMI’s Golf Outings are great networking venues and you are
encouraged to participate. Even if you don’t golf join us for the
cocktail hour and dinner and become a part of the fun.
All five of the Hotels in Rosemont
have already been contracted for
sleeping rooms and an Airfare
Discount Program with United Airlines
has been set up. Plans are steadily
moving forward and we expect the
SpringWorld 2008 will be the biggest show we have ever held.
Plans are already being made for the 2008 events next June and
again in September. Members and Exhibiting Suppliers are all
welcome to participate.
CASMI Connection
Page 2
CASMI Scholarship Awards Reach Total of $463,000 in 2007!
The Chicago Association of Spring Manufacturers (CASMI) is
proud to announce the 2007 recipients of the Association’s basic
scholarship program. The $2,000 scholarships were awarded to
20 dependents of employees of CASMI Member Companies for
2007. The basic CASMI awards are limited to students pursuing
undergraduate studies. Also awarded was the second annual
$2,500 Terry and Jerry Reese Postgraduate Scholarship. The
Reese scholarship is only awarded to one scholar per year.
Since the inception of CASMI’s Scholarship program in 1989, the
Association has awarded $463,000 in scholarships to deserving
dependants, and in some cases employees, who are pursuing
their education.
This year’s 21 scholarship recipients were selected from a
field of 82 applicants and were awarded scholarships totaling
$42,500. The Scholarship Management Service of the not-forprofit foundation Scholarship America processed the applications,
determined the awards, and informed the winners. Applications
were received from scholars in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.
The average grade point average (GPA) of applicants was 3.82
for high school students and 3.85 for college students. High
school students applying for the CASMI Scholarship program had
an average combines SAT score of 1,193 and on average were
ranked in the top 86.67% of their graduating class.
The students who applied for this year’s awards came from a
wide spectrum of educational experience. High School Seniors
made up 52.38% of the applicant pool with 38.10% applying at the
undergraduate level and 9.52% applying from the graduate and
non-traditional sectors of the educational world. 76.19% of this
year’s scholarships were awarded to young ladies and 23.81%
young men. Of the scholarships awarded 85.71 % will be applied
towards and education at a four-year institution. The remaining
$14.29% will be used at junior/community colleges.
The institutions that will be attended by CASMI scholars are the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Chicago, Grace
College, William Rainey Harper College, University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign, , Carthage College, University of WisconsinMadison, College of DuPage, University of Miami, Triton College,
Midwestern University, Southern Illinois University Carbondale,
Butler University, DePaul Unversity, Indiana University
Bloomington, Yale University and the United States Military
Academy at West Point. The scholars will be majoring in such
diverse fields as Education, Bio-medical Engineering, Business
and Marketing, Political Science and several Health Related
fields.
Under CASMI Scholarship rules, scholarships do not
automatically renew and each winner must reapply to be
considered for additional scholarships. This year, three scholars
have earned their fourth consecutive scholarship. Congratulations
are due to Jorie A. Epstein, daughter of Stephen A. Epstein of
Perfection Spring & Stamping, Michelle M. Mleczek, daughter of
Ana Mleczek of Micro Matic Spring, and Terrence J. Myelle, son of
Dennis S. Myelle of Rockford Spring Co.
Also to be congratulated are Rinku J. Patel and Vicki J. Patel,
son and daughter of Janak Bhai Patel of Jackson Spring. Vicki
has been awarded a basic scholarship and Rinku is the winner
of the Terry and Jerry Reese Postgraduate Scholarship for his
studies in the medical field. Vicki is a member of the Indian
Student Association and volunteers for the Illini Project. She has
won the Dean’s List award, is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma
Honor Society and is working towards becoming a pharmacist.
Older brother Rinku has won a community service award, n MWV
Scholarship and volunteers for UNICEF and at a community
health care clinic. Rinku is studying medicine and is working
towards becoming a pediatrician who “commits to practice with
integrity, empathy and passion”.
CASMI appreciates the support and participation of many
members of the Spring Industry. They share in the pride of this
important program though their continued support of the SPRING
WORLD Show.
Congratulations to the 2007 CASMI Scholarship Winners!
STUDENT
Cassie K. Bastian
Jorie A. Epstein
EMPLOYEE
Brian K. Bastian
Stephen R. Epstein
COMPANY
SCHOOL ATTENDING
Exacto Spring Corporation, Grafton, WI
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Perfection Spring & Stamping, Mount Prospect, IL University of Chicago
Corinne A. Gates
Naitik D. Jha
Rachel A. Khan
Josephine H. Kim
Katie A. Kiscellus
Catherine E. Kuzmicki
Aleksandra M. Luszczynska
Courtney E. Manning
Justyna Milewski
Michelle M. Mleczek
Audie C. Gates
Dharmesh V. Jha
David J. Kahn
Myong K. Kim
Paul M. Kiscellus
Wojciech Kuzmicki
Grzegorz Gruchala
Brian R. Manning
Janusz Milewski
Ana Mleczek
Midwest Spring & Stamping, Mentone, IN
Termax Corporation, Lake Zurick, IL
Perfection Spring & Stamping, Mount Prospect, IL
Automatic Spring Coiling, Co. Chicago, IL
AJ Kay Company, Chicago, IL
Form-All Spring & Stamping, Bensenville, IL
Wesco Spring Co., Chicago, IL
William Dudek Manufacturing Co., Chicago, IL
Keats Manufacturing Co., Wheeling, IL
Micro Matic Spring, Franklin Park, IL
Grace College
William Rainey Harper College
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
United States Military Academy at West Point
Carthage College
University of Wisconsin-Madison
College of DuPage
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Miami
Triton College
Paul K. Mroz
Terrence J. Myelle
Gregory G. Mroz
Dennis S.Myelle
Mastercoil Spring, McHenry, IL
Rockford Spring Co., Rockford, IL
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Yale University
Rinku J. Patel*
Vicki J. Patel
Somchai Phasouk
Randy A. Richter
Lucy M. Smigiel
Nicole A. Sobkowicz
Janak Bhai Patel
Janak Bhai Patel
Kanngeuane Phasouk
Randall A. Richter
Carl E. Smigiel
Mark G. Sobkowicz
Jackson Spring, Elk Grove Village, IL
Jackson Spring, Elk Grove Village, IL
Rockford Spring Co., Rockford, IL
R&R Spring Corporation, Addison, IL
Mohawk Spring Corp., Schiller Park, IL
Dudek & Bock Spring Mfg., Chicago, IL
Midwestern University
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Butler University
University of Wisconsin-Madison
DePaul University
Jessica L. Wesaw
Robin Wesaw
Hoosier Spring Co., Inc., South Bend, IN
Indiana University-Bloomington
(Repeat 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
(Repeat 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
(Repeat 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
(Repeat 2006, 2007)
*Terry & Jerry Reese Postgraduate Scholarship winner
CASMI Connection
Page 3
CASMI Member & Suppliers Dinner
Not to be Missed!
November 8, 2007 – Rosewood Restaurant, Rosemont, IL
(One week earlier than usual.)
Featuring Jeff Thredgold
Economic Futurist, Professional Speaker and Entertaining Economist - All in One
The future course of the U.S. economy, the value of education,
the direction of interest rates, and the competitive position of U.S.
companies are just some of the topics that will be addressed
today by our speaker…
Jeff Thredgold is President of Thredgold Economic Associates, an
economic consulting and professional speaking company based
in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Jeff is the only economist in the world to have ever received
the designation of CSP, or Certified Speaking Professional, the
highest earned designation in professional speaking.
His career includes 23 years with $95 billion banking giant
KeyCorp, where he served as Senior Vice President and Chief
Economist. He now serves as economic consultant to $50 billion
Zions Bancorporation, which has banks in ten states, as well as
other clients.
American Spring Wire
Announcements
Bedford Heights, OH, USA – Timothy W. Selhorst, President and
Chief Executive Officer for American Spring Wire Corporation
(ASW), announces the promotion of Bill Snyder to the position
of Executive Vice President. Mr. Snyder will retain the sales,
marketing, and purchasing responsibilities and will add the direct
reporting responsibility of each of the three ASW operating
factories. He has been employed by ASW for ten years and
has previously held positions of Vice President-Commercial and
General Sales Manager. Prior to coming to ASW, Mr. Snyder
worked for AK Steel in several sales and marketing management
capacities. He holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the
University of Kentucky.
American Spring Wire also announces the appointment of
Mr. Todd Roberts to the position of Vice President & General
Manager of Sales. Mr. Roberts will be responsible for the
sales and marketing responsibilities for all of American Spring
Wire’s commercial, shaped, and valve quality wire products.
Before joining American Spring Wire, Mr. Roberts worked
for the Worthington Steel Company in several different sales
assignments. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from
The Citadel.
AMERICAN SPRING WIRE CORPORATION manufactures
valve quality and commercial wire in carbon and alloy steel
grades. Configurations include round and shaped wire from
fine sizes to .625” (16 mm). Over 90% of the total spring wire
pounds produced is oil-tempered. The company also produces
PC strand for the pre-stressed/post-tensioned concrete market.
Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, American Spring Wire
Corporation is certified as complying to ISO 9001:2000 standards.
CASMI Connection
Jeff has appeared dozens of times on CNBC-TV…the nation’s
business network, as well as numerous appearances on CNN,
and is quoted regularly in the nation’s financial press. He is a
monthly contributor for the national publication Blue Chip Financial
Forecasts and quarterly USA TODAY economic forecast surveys.
Jeff has been writing a weekly economic and financial newsletter,
now entitled the Tea Leaf, for 32 years. His latest book,
econAmerica, was released in July 2007 by major publisher Wiley
& Sons. Other books include A Parent’s Letter to My Children
in School; Economy by Thredgold; and On The One Hand…The
Economist’s Joke Book.
He served as an adjunct professor of finance at the University of
Utah for 16 years. He is a former member of both the Economic
Advisory Committee of the American Bankers Association and the
Economic Policy Committee of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Annual Holiday Party
December 13, 2007 - Colletti’s Restaurant
(One week earlier than usual)
Join us for a festive Holiday party to meet old friends and make
new ones. This annual event is for spouses and significant others.
More information will be forthcoming but plan on the date now.
Save the Date
The 2008 Annual Dinner Dance will be Saturday, February 9th,
2008. at the Twin Orchard Country Club in Long Grove, IL. We
have again reserved the Ken Arlen Orchestra. Please reseve the
date and polish up your dancing shoes.
SMI Update
The Spring Manufacturer’s Institute (SMI) is having its Fall
Meeting on October 8 –10, 2007 in Las Vegas at the Green
Valley Ranch. The Program will include speakers and technical
programming, table-top Expo and a great chance to network
with your fellow spring manufacturing executives. CASMI will be
officially represented by President Dan Bishop, who sits on the
SMI Board as a CASMI representative, and by CASMI Executive
Director Tom Renk.
SMI has announced the retirement of Executive Director Ken
Boyce for next Spring 2008 after the Spring Conference. The SMI
Board has been searching for a replacement Executive Director
and they have identified a candidate that will meet their position
requirements. This individual will be starting on the job this Fall
and has been invited to attend some Fall Membership Meetings to
meet with CASMI members.
Page 4