Outside Processors Council Merges with the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association,
International
ROCKFORD, Ill. March 28, 2011 – The Outside Processors Council (OPC) has merged
with the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA) in an effort
to further strengthen two leading industry organizations and add value to members.
The merger was announced at FMA’s 15th Annual Toll Processing Conference in March
in Orlando.
“Adding OPC’s experience in the metal processing sector to our organization makes
perfect sense; this collaboration creates many synergies while also providing greater
value to our collective members,” said Gerald Shankel, president & CEO of the FMA.
“This partnership is in the best interest of both groups and will help further OPC’s
mission of providing educational and networking opportunities to the metal processing
community,” said OPC Board Chair Brian Habermel.
Read news release…
Visit fmanet.org to learn more about
FMA!
What Does the Merger Mean for OPC Members?
Active OPC members will be grandfathered in as FMA company members and will comprise
the newly formed Outside Processors special interest group within the FMA membership.
The link to the FAQ sheet below will give further details and provide answers to
many other questions. . Click on “Join FMA Outside Processors Group” in the left margin or contact Cindy Day at 815-227-8208 or
cindyd@fmanet.org for
more information.
Frequently Asked Questions about the merger between
OPC and FMA.
Scholarship Endowment Fund
As part of the merger agreement, the OPC board has established an endowment fund
with Nuts, Bolts & Thingamajigs®, the Foundation of the FMA, to support annual scholarship
awards for the next generation of students preparing for careers in manufacturing.
Click on Scholarship Endowment in the left margin for more info.
Events to raise funds to support the endowment include the Silent Auction held at
the 2011 Toll Processing Conference, the upcoming Processors Auction (to be held
in conjunction with the Motor City Slitters event) in July, and the OP Golf Tournament
in October (dates and location TBD).
See photos from FMA’s Toll Processing Conference (and co-located Fabricator’s Leadership
Summit). March 2011.