National Contest

[CNCadmin]

Mariposa, CA – September 20, 2011 - This contest is a national effort organized for machinist, machine shops and manufacturing companies to participate in a fun (but serious) campaign to promote hometown pride and work in America.

An official contest web site has been established with interactive community features to help find twelve stand-out examples of “Machined in America” at http://machinedinamerica.com . This is a fun and interactive way to share your American-made business and products as others scroll through the entries looking to cast their vote.

The contest site (by 1027 Design) provides a simple and easy format (© Binkd Promotion Platform) to submit your photo and description. Twelve finalists will be chosen from all qualified submissions. An independent panel of judges will select the Grand Prize Winner from the twelve (12) finalists. Additionally, online voter results at the end of the contest will determine 2nd and 3rd place winners. Contest guidelines, cash and prizes are detailed on the contest site.

Companies who want to be involved without entering the contest can offer a donation of their American-made product or service to the prize pool. There is no set value and donors will be promoted on the contest site.

The contest was originally conceived by Tap Associates, Inc., using the Machined in America slogan created for their line of self-locking tap extension. “We are proactive business owners who are serious about promoting American manufacturing and prompting entrepreneurs and companies to make that next American-made product within their own communities. The contest site and our other resources will continue to lend support to our hometown industry and manufacturing for as long as it takes,” noted Pamela Gurr, GM-Business Development for Tap Associates, Inc. (contest moderator and site administrator).

Pete Beatty, CEO Media Web Link and panel judge, points out on his web site that more exposure = more inquires = more work = more revenue = thriving local economies! “That is what the effort behind this contest is all about,” said Ms. Gurr.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to many people who pitched in to help transition this effort from beta formation to the national level. And our gratitude continues, as we announce the following top-level industry executives and business owners who accepted our invitation to help form the independent judges panel that will select the Grand Prize Winner from the twelve finalists,” concludes Ms. Gurr.

Mr. Pete Beatty, CEO, Media Web Link, former Haas Marketing Dir.
Mr. Eric Cram, Director of Sales & Marketing, Lovejoy Tool Company, Inc.
Mr. Paul Gentile, CNCzone, Machinist Forum
Mr. Jason Gerardot, Purchasing Manager, Western Tool & Supply
Mr. Kent Gladish, Marketing and Sales Director, TMA
Mr. Pete Nofel, Machining Business News
Mr. Scott Viessman, A-1 Jet, LLC Waterjet Cutting and Design

Find out how to get involved. Visit the national contest site http://machinedinamerica.com for more information, enter to win, view, vote or donate a prize.


Meet the Panel of Judges

Pete Beatty, President, Media Web Link http://mediaweblink.com
Since 2000, we have been offering companies inexpensive ways to get more exposure for their company and services on the Internet. We are building the highest ranked and largest group of interconnected directories and business Blogs in the world that are dedicated to manufacturing and the machine tool industry. Pete started as a Journeyman Tool & Die/Mold Maker in 1972, becoming the first Marketing Director for Haas Automation and rounding out his 30+ years of experience with Sales Management for Toyoda USA, Mikron, Mazak, USA, and Kearney & Trecker.

Eric Cram, Director of Sales and Marketing, Lovejoy Tool Company, Inc. http://www.lovejoytool.com
Lovejoy Tool Company has been designing and manufacturing quality cutting tools since being founded by Fred Prescott Lovejoy in 1916. The company provides an innovative standard product line of cutting tools along with an experienced Engineering staff that routinely designs and manufactures unique, one of a kind tools to meet Lovejoy customers' part specifications. Please visit http://www.lovejoytool.com for more information about Lovejoy Tools.

Paul Gentile, Owner of CNCzone, LLC <CNCzone.com-Machinist Community Forums - Welcome Page
CNCzone.com is known as the ultimate online community for the DIY machinist. Since 2003, and with over 190,000 registered users, CNCzone.com has offered a way to connect with other like-minded machinists around the globe. Come join the conversation at CNCzone.com!

Jason Geradot, Purchasing Manager, Western Tool & Supply http://westtool.com
Family owned and operated for over thirty years! High quality products and outstanding service have made Western Tool and Supply the foremost northern California distributor of metalworking tools for close to thirty years. We maintain inventory in three California locations, Oregon and Nevada. Our key to success is our singular ability to develop mutually beneficial and long-term partnerships with our customers as well as our manufacturers. Our entire staff is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of technical service and support. Always there when you need us with the best, most cost-effective solutions to meet all of your requirements.

Kent Gladish, Marketing and Sales Director, TMA <http://tmanet.com
TMA is Illinois' premier full service manufacturing association of 1000 companies focused on improving the climate of business in this region. From a place at the table in Springfield to health insurance to education and marketing support, this organization solves issues on a daily basis. Kent Gladish has helped write marketing plans with 150+ manufacturers, toured one-third of the membership and consistently connects members with solutions to grow their business.

Pete Nofel, Journalist and Commentator
Pete Nofel has more than 30 years of experience, much of it in covering manufacturing. He was formerly the editor-in-chief of Modern Applications News, a national monthly business-to-business machining magazine. He also was editor of Gases & Welding Distributor, a national B2B magazine for dealers of welding supplies and associated compressed gases. He is a contributing editor to CNCReport.com and MachineShopWeb.com. Along with his journalism degree, he has an area of specialization in aerospace technology and has written for NASA and Engine Air Magazine, and has won awards from United Press International and the American Society of Business Press Editors.

Scott Viessman, A-1 Jet, LLC Waterjet Cutting and Design, A-1 Jet, LLC. Waterjet Cutting & Product Design - Sioux Falls, SD
We are a creative manufacturing company that supports the needs of companies nationwide as well as supporting local clientele. A-1 Jet is comprised of craftsman in their trade working together to produce quality-machined parts, assemblies and custom creations. We are adept in working with most materials whether it be stone, steel or carbon fiber and create everything from corporate signs and granite countertops to precision industrial parts.

Tap Associates, Inc., is a USA OEM manufacturer well known for their "Jüngere" self-locking Tap Extension - no set screws or collets needed. The company provides machine shops and manufacturers worldwide with the perfect solution for close quarter and long tapping problems. See why it’s different and view product demo video on their site http://tapextension.com.

[fizzissist]

I absolutely love this idea. Other contests tend to be specific to a school, a corporation (such as Mastercam's), or unique in some other way, while this is wide open. I hope this takes off with lots of entries.

(would I be dating myself if I said I remember when the industrial hub of Mariposa was Stroming Rd?)

[E2l2]

how can we see winners photos?

[fizzissist]

how can we see winners photos?

Good question.
Going to the website shows little to nothing of value.
No list of entrants, pictures (save a group photo) or descriptions of winners....nuthin'.