Smaller Manufacturers Assoc. (SMA) In Watertown to Host Expert William Hickey, Jr. at Sept. 16 Meeting

“The Agenda for American Manufacturing” is the topic of discussion that renowned manufacturing specialist William M. Hickey, Jr. will present at the September 16 meeting of the Smaller Manufacturers Association of Connecticut, Inc. (SMA). Douglas Johnson, SMA President, stated, “Mr. Hickey will ask attendees what they, as individuals and individual companies, can do on a regional and national level, to improve on the current manufacturing climate.”

Established in 1949 and headquartered in the Technology Hall of Naugatuck Community College in Waterbury, the SMA serves to promote the cause of smaller manufacturing firms in all facets of their business organization. The SMA provides resources to help Connecticut's smaller manufacturers thrive. SMA membership includes 138 firms representing more than 6,000 employees throughout the state. Their mission is to promote the best interest of manufacturers in Connecticut; address problems common to all manufacturers; help manufacturers improve productivity; assist manufacturers evaluate new markets for their products; stimulate cooperative actions among manufacturers; and provide access to resources aimed to assist manufacturers.

SMA’s September 16 speaker William “Bill” Hickey is president of Lapham-Hickey Steel Corp. of Chicago, IL. Family-owned and operated, Lapham-Hickey Steel Corp. is a steel service center founded in 1926 and currently ranked as one of the top 50 service centers in the United States. Hickey has held several positions with the company since 1975, and has been company president since 1980. During his employment years, Hickey has been active in the MSCI, holding chapter and national leadership positions. Currently, he is a member of the Chairman’s Emeritus Council.

Hickey also holds an appointed position to ITAC-12, an advisory committee to the
Department of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative, and is currently committee chairman. He is a trustee for the PMA Educational Foundation, and he is active in the Illinois Manufacturer’s Association and is a member of the board and treasurer of that organization. In 2012, he was named Service Center Executive of the Year by Metal Center News.

The SMA’s September 16th ‘Kick-Off” dinner meeting for their 2013-2014 year will be held at the Watertown Golf Club in Watertown beginning at 5:30 p.m. During the meeting, Kaynor Technical School will be spotlighted including recognition of two students as SMA Students of the Month and a display table featuring a recent student project. Dinner meal choices are prime rib, chicken Francaise and grilled salmon. Admission costs are $40/SMA members and $50/person for non-members. Reservations, and dinner meal choice, can be made by emailing SMA Executive Director Cyndi Zoldy at admin@sma-ct.com or calling her at 203-575-8107.

To learn more about the Smaller Manufacturers Association of Connecticut, Inc. (SMA), visit www.SMA-CT.com.