TrueNorth Web Site Solution for the UTMA Provides a Business Development Tool for Members.
September 13, 2006
One year ago, Kevin Kelly, Executive Director of the Rochester Tooling and Machining Association (RTMA) approached TrueNorth Marketing to discuss the RTMA’s growing membership, expanded coverage area to include Buffalo and Syracuse and the new opportunities and membership needs that came with becoming a larger manufacturing and machine tool networking, advocacy and industry support organization.
The RTMA formed the Upstate Tooling and Machining Association (UTMA) and began the process of branding and launching the organization to existing RTMA members as well as new prospective members in manufacturing. The UTMA introduced themselves as a new viable economic force to other agencies that they could partner with for the advancement of manufacturing in the Upstate New York region. This was done through political outreach, marketing and public relations efforts. All of the efforts culminated with the launch of the UTMA web site www.nyutma.org in August.
“The UTMA needed a web site that serviced effectively their growing membership. Members wanted to utilize the web site not only for industry news and networking purposes but also with advanced tools on a level that impacted everyone in Upstate New York where they need it the most; The Bottom Line.” Said Kris Boyle, President of TrueNorth Marketing. “So when we were asked to come up with a web site that had the capability of generating Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) and membership-managed profiles to search against for the RFP’s, we were very excited to be a part of this project and the new tool we were providing members for business development.”
Bradley Foust, Web Specialist at TrueNorth, designed the RFP functionality and TrueNorth’s strategic business partner, Biznetix Corporation, provided advanced development. The web site allows members and non-members to log in to the RFP section of the site and generate a request for proposal for services from the membership group for design and engineering, tool, die, plastics, assembly and general contract manufacturing services. Once an RFP is submitted it is automatically sent directly to any member that has the requested service selected in their company profile. The members using a specially designed password-protected administration tool manage profiles.
“Our members are looking to the UTMA to provide assistance and services that will directly affect their ability to continue to do business in Upstate New York.” Said Todd Hockenberger, Vice President of PGM Corporation and President of the RTMA. “Other RFP systems are so vast and fee-based that they really don’t make sense to use for our membership. Our RFP system will be utilized by member and non-member companies that want to find the best supplier quickly and efficiently and keep purchasing power and dollars local.”
Other than the RFP and member profile functionality the site is a wealth of information on the machine tool and manufacturing industry and it’s membership companies. The events and activities page reflects how active and engaged the UTMA membership is and the newsletter alone is full of useful information for members and non-members and is populated at will by RTMA administration staff. An e-newsletter was built into the site administrator to really get the attention of members for news and events as they happen. “The days of compiling the monthly newsletter are over.” Says Janet Olivieri at the RTMA. “Now I can send information and notifications on-the-fly without the agency, printer and mailing fulfillment fees that we incurred with our old newsletter. And, no more missed deadlines on time specific materials!”
About the RTMA – The Rochester Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association (RTMA / NTMA) is a nonprofit organization comprised of more than 200 contract precision machining, tool, die, mold and special machining companies, including machinery equipment and related service companies. The RTMA provides members with vital business management and government information, running apprentice and training programs, and providing vital industry contacts and networking opportunities. As the flagship Chapter of the NTMA, the RTMA has expanded their previous vision to be recognized as the Upstate New York leader and source of information for the precision machining industry. With this expansion came a new name, UTMA, Upstate Tooling & Machining Association which now includes Buffalo and Syracuse.
About TrueNorth – TrueNorth Marketing is a Rochester, NY-based advertising and marketing agency that provides business-to-business creative services. Clients include firmly established and new, growing companies throughout the world that are doing business in the technology, manufacturing and service industries. Some of these customers include Fortune 500 businesses such as Empire Beef Company, or major manufacturing holding companies such as The Brinkman International Group, Inc. Other clients are small- to medium-sized successful businesses with unique marketing needs, such as Global Communications Solutions.
