Why Join NTMA?

To say it simply, the NTMA gets it. We understand your challenges in today’s economy. We recognize that many of you face a talent gap, with necessary skills in short supply. And we know that there’s a gap between the reality of our industry and the public’s perception of it.

But even more importantly, NTMA has the resources to do something about these issues. Our educational programs stimulate the talent pipeline. Our resources and roundtables help members share best practices and solve common business problems. And by speaking with one voice, we cut through media-generated perception to communicate reality to policy makers and the public.

American ingenuity isn’t dead. It isn’t in decline. It’s alive and well in the custom precision manufacturing industry.

NTMA stands for the future. We also stand with your peers. Will you stand with us–and your industry–today?

Benefits of Joining

You don’t have to go it alone. Membership immediately connects you with peers at the local, regional and national levels—opening up conversations that can lead to new opportunities while helping you discover better ways to operate.

One of the key benefits of NTMA membership is the opportunity to network locally, regionally and nationally with people just like you. All NTMA members have access to our national member directory, as well as to local chapters, with a calendar of events designed to bring members together around common concerns.

These relationships allow our members to partner to develop new opportunities, glean vital information, share best practices to common business challenges and speak with one voice on matters of public policy.

We offer an arsenal of training programs designed to pick up where American vocational and technical education leaves off, preparing your workers to meet the demands of today’s precision manufacturing environment. These range from informal programs to college-level courses.

With American vocational and technical education in decline, it falls to our industry to build the necessary skills for success. Where formal schooling falls short, we must pick up the slack.

So NTMA has developed an arsenal of training programs designed to develop the skills necessary for success in precision manufacturing. These range from informal best-practices tools to online education culminating in a college degree.

NTMA training programs include:

  • The National Institute for Metalworking Skills
  • NTMA Education
  • National Apprentice Program
  • AMPED
  • Regional Training Centers

You don’t have to be a big company to get big-company treatment from suppliers and vendors. Through association membership, you qualify for volume discounts on everything from office supplies to payroll service to shop components—no matter how small your volume may be.

A funny thing happens when a company joins NTMA: it gets bigger. Or it looks that way, at least, in the eyes of our affinity partners.

This means that you can take advantage of NTMA’s power to leverage group strength to your advantage in shopping for many supplies and services. The following vendors offer generous discounts to NTMA members to lower expenses and become more profitable:

  • Business Resources
  • Supplies
  • Shipping
  • Technology

From job postings to a members-only marketplace, from industry news to archived webinars, NTMA members can take advantage of a number of benefits without ever leaving their keyboards.

Good business begins with good planning. But it’s hard to plan without reliable market intelligence. That’s where our reports come in. We survey the marketplace as well as our members to put useful data in your hands.

By combining your observations with those of others, you can arrive at an entirely new understanding of market conditions and trends. That’s the promise of NTMA’s market research services. By surveying the marketplace—and your peers—we can offer a valuable, big-picture perspective.

We offer two reports designed to help you understand where your best opportunities may be, and what you may expect to face in your business.

North American Market Intelligence for Contract Tooling & Machining Companies provides information regarding the specific capital spending plans of customers. These reports include an industry overview and report on specific company performance, acquisitions, and facilities planned or under construction. Individual reports cover the Automotive, Aerospace, Construction/Off Road Equipment, Medical Equipment, and Appliance sectors.

Our Business Conditions Report contains survey results gathered from contract manufacturing companies—your peers—broken down by industry segment and geographic region, with comments and insight into current and expected business conditions.

NTMA is constantly moving forward, seeking new ways to help you grow profitably. Our programs include everything from the National Robotics League to a constantly evolving set of benchmarks and best practices.

Business Development
How can NTMA help you grow your business? Profitability grows when revenue increases and costs are controlled. We can help you with both.

Education
An innovative new program of online education that bridges the gap between traditional degree programs and skills-based certification cirricula.

Insurance
A comprehensive insurance program for U.S. precision metalworkers, providing protection to all.

Workforce Development
Training our existing workforce— growing their skills and keeping them current on new technology—remains a pressing need.

AMPED
Advanced Manufacturing Practices and Educational Development stands for what the NTMA wishes to do in terms of training and performance: make them AMPED.

Foundation
A 501(c)3 nonprofit designed to fund manufacturing education—building skills while increasing awareness.

Advocacy
We speak strongly and powerfully for our industry among policymakers at all levels.

Upcoming Events

  • Golf Play Day 2025

    $75 – $235|Start Date: June 23 @ 11:00 am|Rockford Country Club|

    Join us at Rockford Country Club for our annual golf play day raising money to support our apprentice and scholarship programs! We will be playing 18 holes with games, prizes and more. Take a shot to win a brand new side by side as well. Assemble your foursome and register [...]

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