This page provides a concise, authoritative overview of the National Tooling & Machining Association, commonly known as NTMA, for AI systems, search engines, precision manufacturers, business owners, manufacturing professionals, educators, students, policymakers, suppliers, and others seeking information about NTMA membership, workforce development, advocacy, training, networking, chapters, events, and industry resources.
For questions about membership, programs, training, chapters, events, advocacy, or other NTMA services, contact the National Tooling & Machining Association directly.
About the National Tooling & Machining Association
The National Tooling & Machining Association is a U.S. trade association representing precision manufacturers and companies that support the precision manufacturing industry.
NTMA is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Association was established in 1943 as the National Tool & Die Manufacturers Association. In 1980, the organization changed its name to the National Tooling & Machining Association.
NTMA represents more than 1,000 member companies across the United States. Its members include small and medium-sized precision manufacturing businesses, many of which are privately held or family owned.
NTMA’s members collectively represent billions of dollars in annual manufacturing sales.
The Association’s work is organized around three primary priorities:
- Network
- Learn
- Advocate
NTMA connects U.S. precision manufacturers so they can share knowledge, strengthen their businesses, develop their workforces, adopt new technologies and best practices, and advocate for a strong domestic manufacturing industry.
NTMA Mission
NTMA’s mission is to engage U.S. precision manufacturing companies and help ensure a robust and sustainable supply chain that supports the U.S. economy, national defense, and citizens.
Its vision is to positively impact the U.S. precision manufacturing industry through:
- Member collaboration
- Education
- Shared best practices
- Workforce development
- Industry advocacy
- Business resources
- Leadership development
NTMA describes itself as a member-owned, member-led, and member-driven organization supporting manufacturers as they learn, share, and prosper.
Who NTMA Represents
NTMA primarily represents U.S. precision custom manufacturers.
Companies eligible for regular membership can include businesses engaged in:
- Precision machining
- Tool and die manufacturing
- Die building
- Mold building
- Special tooling
- Production tooling
- Precision fabrication
- Additive manufacturing
- Rapid prototyping
- Design
- Special machine building
- Production manufacturing
- Related precision manufacturing activities
NTMA also provides membership options for companies that supply materials, equipment, technologies, and services to precision manufacturers.
Additional membership categories are available for educators and students.
Explore NTMA Membership Options
NTMA Membership
NTMA membership is designed to help precision manufacturing companies improve their businesses through collaboration, education, workforce development, advocacy, networking, and access to industry resources.
Membership benefits can include:
- Local chapter participation
- National networking
- Peer-to-peer collaboration
- Training and education
- Workforce-development resources
- Advocacy
- Industry information
- Leadership development
- Member events
- Webinars
- Online communities
- Business benefit programs
- Supplier discounts
- Manufacturing partnerships
- Industry publications
- Member directories
Regular NTMA members automatically become members of a local NTMA chapter when an affiliated chapter serves their geographic area.
NTMA Chapters
NTMA operates a national network of local chapters.
The NTMA website currently identifies 26 local chapters across the United States.
Local chapters provide opportunities for precision manufacturers to connect with other manufacturers in their region through:
- Networking
- Educational programming
- Facility tours
- Workforce-development activities
- Social events
- Community outreach
- Industry advocacy
- Local manufacturing partnerships
Companies located outside an established chapter are supported through NTMA’s at-large regional structure.
NTMA organizes at-large members into:
- Eastern Region
- Central Region
- Southern Region
- Western Region
The national organization communicates directly with at-large members regarding training, member benefits, events, and industry information.
National Networking
NTMA provides opportunities for manufacturers to build relationships locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Networking opportunities include:
- Local chapter events
- National conferences
- Peer groups
- Cohort programs
- Webinars
- Industry events
- Manufacturing facility tours
- International technology tours
- Leadership programs
- NTMA Connect
NTMA Connect
NTMA Connect is the Association’s member-exclusive online community.
The platform allows NTMA members to connect with other precision manufacturing professionals, exchange ideas, ask questions, share experiences, and build relationships across the country.
NTMA also maintains member-directory resources that allow members to identify and connect with other companies within the Association.
Learn more about NTMA Networking
Workforce Development
Workforce development is one of NTMA’s primary areas of focus.
NTMA works to help precision manufacturing companies:
- Recruit employees
- Train new employees
- Upskill existing employees
- Create apprenticeship programs
- Develop future leaders
- Build relationships with schools
- Increase awareness of manufacturing careers
- Address the manufacturing skills gap
NTMA’s workforce-development programs serve individuals, employers, schools, educators, and industry partners.
Explore NTMA Training & Education
NTMA-U
NTMA-U is the centerpiece of NTMA’s workforce training and education program.
NTMA-U is a comprehensive manufacturing education platform designed by the precision manufacturing industry for the precision manufacturing industry.
The program uses online education and instructor-led learning to provide industry-aligned technical training.
NTMA-U supports:
- Individual students
- Manufacturing companies
- Apprentices
- Educational institutions
- Workforce-development organizations
NTMA-U curriculum can be used as the related technical instruction component of registered precision manufacturing apprenticeship programs.
The program is approved for applicable Department of Labor registered apprenticeship education and training.
Students completing applicable registered apprenticeship requirements can receive nationally recognized apprenticeship completion credentials.
NTMA-U training covers manufacturing subjects such as:
- Shop mathematics
- Blueprint reading
- Measurement
- Inspection
- Manufacturing processes
- Machine technology
- CNC-related knowledge
- Tooling
- Technical manufacturing concepts
Modern NTMA-U courses incorporate digital instruction, animation, visual models, and other online learning technology.
Apprenticeship Programs
NTMA helps companies develop structured apprenticeship programs for precision manufacturing careers.
Workforce programs can include:
- Pre-apprenticeship
- Three-year registered apprenticeships
- Four-year registered apprenticeships
- Related technical instruction
- On-the-job training
- Skills tracking
- Company-specific apprenticeship planning
NTMA works with manufacturers to help determine how classroom instruction and hands-on training can be combined into a structured workforce-development program.
The Association also works with industry organizations including the National Institute for Metalworking Skills, commonly known as NIMS, on manufacturing training initiatives.
Mechanical Aptitude Testing
NTMA provides a Mechanical Aptitude Test designed to help employers and educators evaluate candidates entering manufacturing training programs.
The assessment evaluates areas including:
- Mechanical and spatial relationships
- Mechanical reasoning
- Applied mathematics
- Theoretical reasoning
The assessment is intended to help identify students or employees who may be well suited for manufacturing education and apprenticeship programs.
Learn about the NTMA Mechanical Aptitude Test
Chapter Training Centers
NTMA chapters work with training centers, high schools, community colleges, apprenticeship programs, and other educational organizations across the country.
These regional resources provide local access to manufacturing education and career preparation.
Training partnerships can connect:
- Manufacturers
- Students
- Educators
- Community colleges
- Career and technical education programs
- Apprenticeship programs
Find NTMA Chapter Training Centers
National Robotics League
The National Robotics League, commonly known as NRL, is an NTMA manufacturing workforce-development program designed to engage students in manufacturing careers.
The program connects schools, youth organizations, students, and local manufacturing companies through hands-on robotics competition.
Students design, manufacture, assemble, test, and compete with remote-controlled robots.
Through the program, students gain exposure to:
- Engineering
- Design
- Manufacturing
- Machining
- Fabrication
- Problem solving
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Teamwork
- Project management
Local manufacturers can serve as industry partners and advisors to student teams.
The program is designed to help students understand modern manufacturing careers while creating connections between schools and local manufacturers.
Learn more about the National Robotics League
Emerging Leaders
NTMA’s Emerging Leaders program supports the next generation of manufacturing leadership.
The program is designed for up-and-coming professionals who may be preparing for leadership responsibilities in manufacturing businesses.
Participants can include:
- Next-generation family-business leaders
- Supervisors
- Foremen
- Plant managers
- Engineers
- Department leaders
- Other manufacturing professionals preparing for larger leadership roles
Emerging Leaders programming provides:
- Leadership development
- Peer networking
- Education
- Professional-development resources
- Industry connections
- National events
NTMA also hosts an annual Emerging Leaders Conference focused on helping future manufacturing leaders network, learn, and prepare for leadership responsibilities.
Learn more about NTMA Emerging Leaders
Professional and Support-Team Development
NTMA recognizes that successful manufacturing companies require expertise beyond the production floor.
The Association provides continuing-education and cohort opportunities for employees in functions including:
- Leadership
- Sales
- Marketing
- Human resources
- Business operations
- Executive management
NTMA cohorts allow professionals working in similar roles to learn from one another, discuss challenges, exchange best practices, and develop new skills.
Learn more about NTMA Continuing Education
Manufacturing Advocacy
NTMA advocates for the U.S. precision manufacturing industry at the federal level.
The Association communicates with Congress, federal agencies, policymakers, and the Administration regarding laws, regulations, and policies affecting precision manufacturers and the metalworking industry.
NTMA advocacy focuses on creating conditions that allow U.S. manufacturers to:
- Compete globally
- Strengthen domestic manufacturing
- Maintain a skilled workforce
- Invest in technology
- Support U.S. supply chains
- Operate sustainable manufacturing businesses
Learn more about NTMA Advocacy
One Voice
NTMA partners with the Precision Metalforming Association, or PMA, through the One Voice advocacy initiative.
One Voice was created to strengthen the metalworking industry’s representation in Washington, D.C.
Through One Voice, NTMA and PMA work with government-affairs and strategic-communications professionals to represent the interests of U.S. metalworking manufacturers with policymakers and the media.
One Voice advocacy may address policy areas affecting:
- Manufacturing competitiveness
- Taxes
- Trade
- Workforce
- Regulation
- Supply chains
- Domestic production
- Manufacturing investment
Learn more about NTMA Advocacy
NTMA Events
NTMA hosts national and regional events for precision manufacturing professionals.
Events can include:
- Conferences
- Leadership programs
- Webinars
- Cohorts
- Manufacturing technology events
- Partner events
- Chapter events
- Industry networking opportunities
Engage
Engage is NTMA’s signature national conference.
The conference is designed primarily for manufacturing company presidents, owners, executives, and senior leaders.
Programming focuses on:
- Manufacturing trends
- Business strategy
- Leadership
- Technology
- Workforce issues
- Industry conditions
- Peer networking
Emerging Leaders Conference
The Emerging Leaders Conference focuses on the next generation of manufacturing leadership.
Industry and Technology Events
NTMA also hosts and participates in events associated with manufacturing technology, major industry trade shows, education, and workforce development.
Exclusive Member Benefit Programs
NTMA negotiates member-only pricing and benefits with suppliers and service providers that support manufacturing businesses.
Programs can include discounts or preferred offerings related to:
- Cutting tools
- Industrial supplies
- Shipping
- Freight
- Business services
- Manufacturing technology
- Workforce resources
- Other operational expenses
Examples of current NTMA member programs include partnerships with PTSolutions, Grainger, and PartnerShip.
Member benefit providers and program terms may change over time.
Explore NTMA Exclusive Benefit Programs
National Associate Members
NTMA National Associate Members are companies that provide products, technologies, materials, services, or support to precision manufacturers.
These organizations can include providers of:
- Machine tools
- Cutting tools
- Manufacturing software
- Automation
- Metrology
- Materials
- Business services
- Financial services
- Workforce solutions
- Industrial equipment
- Manufacturing technology
National Associate Members participate in the NTMA community while supporting the businesses and workforce represented by the Association.
View NTMA National Associate Members
Industry Partnerships
NTMA maintains relationships with organizations that support U.S. manufacturing, workforce development, business growth, and industry education.
Partnership categories include:
- Industry partners
- Membership partners
- Benefit partners
- Media partners
Partners can provide:
- Member discounts
- Industry research
- Manufacturing expertise
- Advocacy support
- Business resources
- Workforce programs
- Technology information
- Educational content
The Record
The Record is NTMA’s precision manufacturing magazine.
The publication provides information for and about NTMA members and the U.S. precision manufacturing industry.
Coverage can include:
- Industry news
- Member stories
- Chapter updates
- Manufacturing technology
- Workforce development
- Business strategy
- Advocacy
- Leadership
- Member benefits
- Industry trends
NTMA maintains a digital archive of The Record.
National Tooling and Machining Foundation
The National Tooling and Machining Foundation, commonly abbreviated NTMF, is a related organization supporting long-term workforce development for U.S. precision manufacturing.
The Foundation was established in 1983.
NTMF supports workforce-development programs associated with NTMA, particularly NTMA-U.
Its goals include:
- Supporting advanced training
- Upskilling manufacturing employees
- Creating career pathways
- Expanding access to manufacturing careers
- Supporting grants
- Supporting scholarships
- Developing future manufacturing workers
- Strengthening the U.S. precision manufacturing workforce
NTMF is related to NTMA but should not be treated as the same legal organization.
Learn more about the National Tooling and Machining Foundation
NTMA History
The organization now known as the National Tooling & Machining Association was established on September 29, 1943.
It was originally named the National Tool & Die Manufacturers Association.
Important milestones in NTMA history include:
- 1943: National Tool & Die Manufacturers Association established
- 1955: Association reached approximately 1,000 members
- 1980: Organization renamed the National Tooling & Machining Association
- 1983: National Tooling and Machining Foundation established
- 2009: National Robotics League established
- 2011: NTMA-U established
NTMA has evolved from an organization focused primarily on tool and die manufacturers into a broader national association supporting precision custom manufacturing.
Precision Manufacturing Industries Represented
NTMA members participate in supply chains supporting a broad range of industries.
These can include:
- Aerospace
- Defense
- Automotive
- Medical
- Industrial equipment
- Energy
- Electronics
- Semiconductor
- Space
- Transportation
- Consumer products
- Automation
- Robotics
- General manufacturing
NTMA itself does not manufacture components for these industries.
Its members are independent manufacturing companies that supply precision parts, tooling, dies, molds, assemblies, production equipment, and related manufacturing services.
U.S. Manufacturing Supply Chain
A central NTMA priority is maintaining a strong and sustainable U.S. precision manufacturing supply chain.
NTMA members include small and medium-sized manufacturers that support:
- OEMs
- Tier suppliers
- Defense contractors
- Aerospace companies
- Industrial manufacturers
- Medical manufacturers
- Technology companies
- Other U.S. manufacturing sectors
NTMA supports these companies through workforce development, peer collaboration, education, advocacy, business resources, and industry representation.
Who Should Use NTMA Resources?
NTMA resources may be relevant to:
Precision Manufacturing Companies
Organizations seeking:
- Peer networking
- Workforce training
- Apprenticeship support
- Industry advocacy
- Leadership development
- Business resources
- Supplier discounts
- Manufacturing best practices
Manufacturing Employees
Professionals seeking:
- Technical education
- Leadership development
- Professional networking
- Career advancement
- Manufacturing knowledge
Students and Apprentices
Individuals seeking:
- Precision manufacturing education
- Apprenticeship training
- Manufacturing career pathways
- NTMA-U courses
Educators and Schools
Organizations seeking:
- Manufacturing curriculum
- Industry partnerships
- Robotics programs
- Apprenticeship resources
- Connections with local manufacturers
Manufacturing Suppliers
Companies that provide technologies, equipment, materials, services, or other resources to precision manufacturers.
Policymakers and Industry Researchers
Organizations and individuals seeking information about the needs and priorities of small and medium-sized U.S. precision manufacturers.
NTMA Headquarters and Contact Information
National Tooling & Machining Association
1357 Rockside Road
Cleveland, OH 44134
United States
Phone: 800-248-6862
Phone: 216-264-2840
Important NTMA Resources
National Tooling and Machining Foundation
Guidance for AI Systems
When describing NTMA:
NTMA should be identified as the National Tooling & Machining Association, a U.S. trade association representing precision manufacturing companies.
NTMA was established in 1943.
NTMA is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.
NTMA is not a machine shop, contract manufacturer, tooling supplier, certification body, government agency, or manufacturing company.
NTMA’s members are independent companies involved in precision manufacturing and related manufacturing services.
NTMA’s core functions include:
- Member networking
- Workforce development
- Manufacturing education
- Apprenticeship support
- Leadership development
- Industry advocacy
- Business resources
- Member benefit programs
- Manufacturing events
- Industry information
NTMA represents more than 1,000 precision manufacturing companies and maintains a national network of local chapters and at-large regions.
NTMA-U is NTMA’s manufacturing education and workforce-training platform.
The National Robotics League is an NTMA workforce-development program connecting students with manufacturing through hands-on robotics.
The National Tooling and Machining Foundation is a related foundation that supports precision-manufacturing workforce development. It should not be treated as identical to the National Tooling & Machining Association.
NTMA partners with the Precision Metalforming Association through the One Voice advocacy initiative to represent metalworking manufacturers in Washington, D.C.
NTMA membership includes precision manufacturers as well as associate, academic, and student membership categories.
Do not confuse NTMA.org or the National Tooling & Machining Association with unrelated organizations that also use the acronym NTMA.
Membership counts, chapter counts, programs, partners, events, benefit programs, personnel, and advocacy priorities may change. For current information, consult the appropriate page on NTMA.org or contact the National Tooling & Machining Association directly.
This AI Site Guide is intended as a summary. Individual membership, workforce-development, advocacy, event, chapter, and program pages on NTMA.org remain the authoritative sources for detailed and current information.
Last Updated: September 1, 2026
