Small Manufacturers Association Relocates to NVCC

The Small Manufacturers Association (SMA) relocated its headquarters this month to Naugatuck Valley Community College (NVCC). The Association's executive director, Cyndi Zoldy, who joined the organizations last November, now operates from NVCC Technology Hall, which also houses the newly built Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center and the College's engineering programs and labs.

The SMA, which meets monthly from September to May, has about 130 members in the state. Membership is open to all manufacturers in Connecticut who have 500 or fewer employees and who manufacture a product with a SIC code between 2000-3999.  The organization:

• Promotes the best interest of manufacturers in Connecticut
• Addresses problems common to all manufacturers
• Helps manufacturers improve productivity
• Assists manufacturers in evaluating new markets for their products
• Stimulates cooperative actions among manufacturers
• Provides access to resources aimed to assisting manufacturers

"This is a win-win for both organizations," said Zoldy. "Having a home base here and engaging with students regularly will reinforce the connection between employers and job training, which is a critical undertaking of the SMA right now."

 Per the agreement, the College will supply SMA with a furnished, technologically-equipped office and access to conference rooms and other campus resources during college hours. SMA will in turn help inform manufacturing and engineering programs, and the executive director will assist with internship and job placement for students.

Coming off of the success of its inaugural semester, the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center will particularly benefit from the presence of the SMA on campus, according to NVCC President Daisy Cocco De Filippis, Ph.D.

There's more to the story at http://ctbythenumbers.info/2013/01/29/small-manufacturers-association-relocates-to-naugatuck-valley-community-college/