When your machine shop is busy with the inevitable day-to-day challenges involved in production, it’s easy to overlook the big picture. That’s why critical tasks like workforce development, industry networking, and legislative advocacy might go overlooked.
But for NJ Goulet III, president of United Centerless Grinding & Thread Rolling in East Hartford, Connecticut, these tasks have become critical to his shop’s continued success. And it’s his involvement in NTMA on both a local and national scale that has helped make it all possible.
Our team recently had the opportunity to chat with NJ about his experience with NTMA. Learn how our organization has impacted his machine shop, what advice he has for other manufacturers, and why he recommends shop owners tap into NTMA’s powerful network.
A Warm Welcome to the NTMA Community
Like many small, multi-generational manufacturers, NJ once focused solely on the company’s internal operations. But this changed when his father introduced him to NTMA nearly 17 years ago. Attending his first NTMA event marked an educational and unforgettable moment in his career, as NJ quickly realized how much there is to learn from peers in the broader manufacturing landscape.
Anyone who’s been to an NTMA conference knows that regular attendees will often spot a first-timer and introduce themselves. This happened at NJ’s first event in Saint Thomas, when a business owner approached NJ and his wife with a round of drinks and a welcoming spirit. They took in the view of the breathtakingly blue water and chatted about manufacturing. NJ will never forget the kind welcome he received from this individual and others. One year later, NJ paid it forward by similarly welcoming a new member, in what ultimately became a full-circle moment.
National Conferences: Not Just for Owners!
Since that memorable moment in Saint Thomas, NJ has made it a point to attend NTMA events as frequently as possible, particularly NTMA’s Engage conference. This year, though NJ himself cannot attend in person, he is sending his plant manager (Larry), an upper-level machinist (who is also his son, Austin), and his assistant plant manager (also his daughter, Brittany).
“Some people think conferences are just for owners or executives,” NJ tells us. “But the managers who are in the thick of things every day gain a ton of value.” After all, as the primary team members dealing with capacity issues and personnel matters in the shop, advice from these sessions can translate directly into their roles.
Ultimately, machine shop management is a team effort, and getting multiple perspectives from across your shop can unlock real results back home.
The Power of Networking, Both Locally and Nationally
NJ has seen firsthand the benefits of connecting with peers across the country and right in his backyard. He is extremely active in NTMA’s Connecticut chapter (CTMA), which he led as president for five years.
“There’s a different level of connection at the national level, but the local chapters are incredibly valuable too,” NJ explains. Everyone from plant managers to shop floor leads to administrative personnel can gain something useful from connecting with their peer network at a local chapter event.
And when you’re facing a tough business challenge, NTMA makes one thing clear: you’re not alone. NJ adds, “No matter the problem, someone else has dealt with it before and has advice. You just have to show up and ask.”
Advocacy in Action, From Capitol Hill to the Shop Floor
For NJ, one of NTMA’s most powerful benefits is our manufacturing advocacy program and involvement with One Voice. After attending a legislative conference in Washington, D.C., he saw firsthand how manufacturers can shape policies that directly impact their businesses.
“It’s one thing to send a letter to lawmakers. It’s another to sit across the table from a legislator who wants to hear from you,” NJ reflects. In one of his trips to our nation’s capital, a handful of NTMA members advocated on behalf of Internal Revenue Code Section 179, a major bill impacting manufacturing companies. In an exciting turn of events, NJ had the unique opportunity to be present when this law was passed, something that many advocacy and politics enthusiasts dream of!
From tax codes to OSHA regulations, NTMA has people working for your best interests, advocating for laws that reflect the realities of running today’s machine shop.
NJ’s Advice: Show Up and Get Involved
NJ knows that cost is one factor keeping some shops from joining NTMA. But he points out that the value gained from member-exclusive benefits, such as partnerships with Grainger and PTSolutions, can cover the cost of dues on their own.
More importantly, NJ emphasizes the return on investment from relationships, resources, and representation. Here’s his advice:
- Go to as many events as you can.
- Don’t just send upper-level leadership to events. Get managers involved, too.
- Explore the full range of machine shop resources and programs NTMA offers. Chances are you’ll find something you haven’t been leveraging yet!
- When the opportunity comes to advocate for the future of American manufacturing, don’t sit on the sidelines.
- Be the warm welcome that makes event first-timers feel confident and eager to return.
Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned veteran, one thing is clear: success doesn’t happen in isolation. Through NTMA, NJ found the knowledge, tools, and community necessary to grow as a leader, and he encourages others to do the same.
Interested in becoming a member? Join today to gain immense value, just like United Centerless Grinding and Thread Rolling did all those years ago.