2020

  1. Formulated “The Pledge” detailing specific safety procedures and protocol for all manufacturers.
  2. Working with the Governor and Commerce Secretary, RIMA worked to keep manufacturing companies open due to RIMA’s efforts in promoting “The Pledge”
  3. Weekly updates on the Covid-19 Pandemic to keep our members aware of what they needed to do based on DOH requirements and based on the executive orders of the Governor
  4. Established a Co-Op for the purchase of critical PPE supplies such as masks, hand sanitizer and disinfectant solutions.
  5. Co-ordinated various companies working with each other to supply PPE supplies
  6. Offered alternative workshops and events via Zoom
  7. Created the Covid-19 Auditor program: This program specifically established an internal monitoring program at manufacturing facilities. This auditor or auditors worked to enforce safety protocols at manufacturing facilities. Each Manufacturer signed the Auditor form to show our Government of our commitment to insure the safety of our employees.
  8. Distributed PPE supplies provided by the State Government to various manufacturers and other small businesses.
  9. Assisted in the Binax testing program to be used at manufacturers facilities
  10. Did numerous informative zoom discussions with State officials to provide updated information.
  11. Emailed monthly newsletter to RIMA members dealing with the economy, labor and Covid-19 status.
  12. Worked in-conjunction with Commerce RI in keeping manufacturers up to date on information from Commerce.
  13. Worked with Polaris MEP in support of our manufacturers. Generated the Playbook for Covid-19
  14. Worked with Dept. of Business Regulation in helping to insure those companies who needed our support to meet the guidelines required to meet the safety measures established by DOH.

2019

  1. Real Jobs: In working with our members, RIMA was able to secure funding to support the mission of providing a training mechanism for our members.
  2. RIMA testified on behalf of the various CommerceRI initiatives to create tax incentives for businesses, specifically the manufacturing sector. Rebuild RI legislation is now available to S-corps and LLC’s of which RIMA testified to support this endeavor.
  3. RIMA held their 2nd Annual Awards Dinner honoring A.T.Cross. RIMA honored Brad and Ron Boss on their efforts supporting the manufacturing community. The event was an overwhelming success in honoring two individuals who contributed so much to the Rhode Island economy and the manufacturing sector.
  4. RIMA held their 2nd Congressional Manufacturing Summit in October. Senator Reed, Senator Whitehouse, Congressman Cicilline, and Congressman Langevin participated. A change in venue had all four Congressional members engage the various tables for a personal interaction session.
  5. RIMA hosted three workshops in 2019. Each was attended by over 100 attendees. Topics discussed were Manufacturing 4.0 presented by Dan Dwight of the Cooley Group, Lean & ISO Certification presented by Karl Wadensten of Vibco and our third workshop encompassed the various training programs available
    for our manufacturers. Scott Jensen, director of DLT was present to explain some of the programs along with representatives of the various organizations providing training.
  6. RIMA testified on the behalf of over 1,600 Rhode Island manufacturers at the State House on specific legislation that would have affected their business.
  7. RIMA hosted Manufacturing Kickoff Week at the Museum of Work & Culture in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. The venue was warmly received by the over 200 people in attendance viewing displays on manufacturing firms from around the state of Rhode Island. Governor Raimondo, Scott Jensen of the Department of Labor and Training and Stefan Pryor, Secretary of Commerce were all in attendance. Governor Raimondo also officially designated the first week of October as Manufacturing Week in the state of Rhode Island.
  8. RIMA held our 2nd Federal OSHA workshop that was held at TACO Comfort Solutions. Over 80 manufacturers came to here from Ed Conway on various new OSHA laws and an overview of OSHA’s concerns.
  9. RIMA’s first Golf Outing was held in June at Warwick Country Club. We had 110 golfers to attend for a beautiful view of the bay and ideal golf weather. Appetizers, buffet dinner and desert was part of the successful event in the evening.

2018

  1. Real Jobs: In working with our members, RIMA was able to secure funding to support the mission of providing a training mechanism for our members.
  2. For the first time RIMA endorsed a candidate for Governor. Our basis for endorsement was due to the jobs that were created by the Administration in the manufacturing sector.
  3. RIMA testified on behalf of the various CommerceRI initiatives to create tax incentives for businesses; specifically the manufacturing sector.
  4. RIMA held their first annual Awards Dinner honoring Henry D. Sharpe Jr. of Brown & Sharpe. The event was an overwhelming success in honoring an individual who contributed so much to the manufacturing sector in Rhode Island.
  5. RIMA held their first Congressional Manufacturing Summit in October. Senator Reed, Senator Whitehouse, Congressman Cicilline , and Congressman Langevin participated. They each discussed current issues affecting our manufacturing members.
  6. RIMA hosted three workshops in 2018. Each was attended by over 100 attendees. Topics discussed were tax reform and research development, sales and marketing, and why you need a banker, CPA, and an attorney.
  7. RIMA partnered with TechRI, Bryant University, and OSHA to host workshops to discuss awareness on GDPR, energy and safety.
  8. RIMA testified on the behalf of over 1,600 Rhode Island manufacturers at the State House on, specific legislation that would have affected their business.
  9. RIMA hosted Manufacturing Kickoff Week at the Museum of Work & Culture in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. There were over 200 people in attendance viewing displays on manufacturing firms around the state of Rhode Island. Scott Jensen of the Department of Labor and Training, Stefan Pryor, Secretary of Commerce and Governor Gina Raimondo were all in attendance. Governor Raimondo also officially designated the first week of October as Manufacturing Week in the state of Rhode Island.

2017

  1. In consultation with Commerce RI, RIMA successfully advocated for a package of robust, pro-manufacturing initiatives in the Governor’s budget
  2. We worked collaboratively with General Assembly leadership to advance legislative priorities including the offices of the Speaker of the House, House Majority Leader, the Senate President, and the Senate Majority Leader
  3. We provided regular testimony to General Assembly Committees regarding the current status of Manufacturing in Rhode Island and workforce development
  4. RIMA executed a multi-media public relations campaign to expend public knowledge of the Manufacturing sector and its needs to thrive including multiple print articles and television appearances with leading RI reporters.
  5. Instituted a new series of quarterly workshops for the major issues impacting manufacturing including: Marijuana in the Workplace, Energy Resources and the evolving Healthcare Market.
  6. Worked closely with the Governor’s office to establish and facilitate the first-ever Governor’s Manufacturing Advisory Council
  7. RIMA became a founding member of Rhode Islanders for Affordable Energy to support the Invenergy gas powered energy facility and other responsible means for controlling energy prices until affordable and reliable renewable energy sources are available.
  8. Successfully advocated for the state appropriation of $3.65 million dollars for an Advance Manufacturing program at Davies Career and Technical High School and the expansion of the Innovation Voucher program to more small manufacturers.
  9. Working with our sister organization We Make RI, RIMA expanded available comprehensive Pre-Apprenticeship and full Apprenticeship Programs
  10. Grew and increased diversity among the RIMA board
  11. Celebrated our 20th Anniversary at our Annual meeting with over 300 participants
  12. Established the RIMA Advisory Council drawing expertise from leading RI manufacturers as TACO; VIBCO; BANNEKER INDUSTRIES; COMMERCERI; TEKNOR APEX; and HEXAGON
  13. RIMA expanded available membership services and discount programs
  14. Enhancing collaboration with Polaris MEP in working to connect RI manufacturers with available resources and with each other.  Including a joint RIMA/Polaris B2B day that brought 400 businesses together to meet and develop relations
  15. RIMA is an active member of the Business Coalition advocating for common sense policy solutions to improve Rhode Island’s overall business climate.