AccuRounds is an Avon, Massachusetts, contract precision machining company that manufactures complex components with critical dimensions.
Mike Tamasi, President and CEO of AccuRounds, spoke with us about how a lifetime of NTMA involvement helped make him the industry leader he is today.
AccuRounds: Accuracy On the Cutting Edge
Like many second-generation owners, Michael Tamasi grew up learning how to run a machine shop.
In 1958, his father, Len Tamasi, founded Boston Centerless, a manufacturer and distributor of precision raw materials and preparation services. Then, in 1976, the elder Tamasi established AccuRounds to provide precision machining services for customers in medical, defense, aerospace, robotics, and other diverse industries.
Under Mike Tamasi’s leadership, AccuRounds has solidified a reputation for producing small lots with short lead times at competitive prices.
The modern CNC machine shop boasts a 45,000-square-foot facility that houses Swiss turning machines, lathes, mills, and select grinding equipment. AccuRounds’ uncommon cylindrical grinders offer a distinct competitive advantage, and the company’s assembly and sub-assembly capabilities position it to fulfill even the most demanding customer requirements.
AccuRounds and NTMA
2023’s Engage Conference marked Mike’s 50th year attending NTMA events, a habit his father instilled in him early. “I went to my first NTMA conference when I was 12 years old,” Mike tells us. “Imagine a kid my age in London with about 750 to 800 people!”
After finishing grad school, he became involved with BTMA, NTMA’s Boston Chapter, where he served as a board member for nearly a decade, including stints as board president and trustee. Mike also contributed his talents at the national level, participating on multiple NTMA teams.
“My mother and father went to NTMA events for 25 or 30 straight years. I don’t think they missed even one,” Mike reveals. He even recalls gathering with other NTMA members for a legislative conference on Capitol Hill. “I think I was 25 years old, and that event was eye-opening. It was enlightening to get introduced to Washington, DC, and all the inner workings there.”
Mike’s exposure to the political process inspired him to become more involved in advocacy organizations, including Business Leaders United and the National Skills Coalition. “NTMA has been a huge part of our company’s success because of the resources it offers and the people we’ve met.”
3 Advantages of NTMA Membership for AccuRounds
“In the manufacturing business, things are constantly changing,” Mike says. “NTMA is important from a management standpoint—for economic updates, for technology insights, and so much more. NTMA helps me keep my ear to the ground and stay on top of the latest advancements in machine shop management.”
1. Networking with passionate industry peers
NTMA’s chapter meetups and national events aren’t the only networking opportunities Mike credits the association with facilitating. He also meets monthly with a small group of NTMA members who call themselves an “extreme benchmarking group.”
“We meet once a month for an hour,” he explains. “We talk to our peers, bounce ideas off of them, and learn about the latest and greatest. It’s an intense benchmarking session—and it’s a lot of fun!”
From NTMA’s multi-day conferences to its online communities, “you’re always learning something,” Mike says. “Even if you think you know it all, you’ll realize quickly that you never do!” From the latest technologies to basic guidance on how to run a machine shop, NTMA offers something for everyone.
2. HR support from NTMA affiliate McMahon Berger
AccuRounds has benefited from several of NTMA’s Affinity Partners, but one has provided decades of support to the New England manufacturer: McMahon Berger.
Mike recalls interacting with the labor and employment law firm during a union drive in the early 1980s. “Alan Berger, God rest his soul, was awesome. He was close with my dad, and I’d come into town from college to see the vote live. We won by one vote!”
From that point forward, Mike remembers the lawyers at McMahon Berger as critical to AccuRounds’ endurance. “We constantly tap them for HR issues we need advice or guidance on,” he describes. “For instance, our director of HR just completed an updated handbook, and we’ll send it off to McMahon Berger for their review.”
NTMA members receive one hour of free legal consultation with McMahon Berger every month. “That, to me, is a tremendous benefit that probably pays for our NTMA dues,” he acknowledges.
3. A membership for the modern CNC machine shop
“I think it’s imperative that machine shop management stay close to what’s happening in the industry, and NTMA does a good job of keeping its members up to date,” says Mike. “You’re doing your company a disservice by not joining NTMA. You’re missing out on so many thought-provoking ideas and impactful relationships.”
Mike also credits NTMA for its continued creativity and persistence in adding value for its members. “They need to stay nimble, they need to stay lean, they need to keep disseminating information proactively—like they’ve been doing. If they continue to do that, they’ll stay relevant.”
Manufacturers like AccuRounds Stay on the Cutting Edge with NTMA
“NTMA has been a huge part of our company’s success because of the resources it offers and the people we’ve met.” – Mike Tamasi
“I think it’s imperative that machine shop management stay close to what’s happening in the industry, and NTMA does a good job of keeping its members up to date.” – Mike Tamasi
“You’re doing your company a disservice by not joining NTMA. You’re missing out on so many thought-provoking ideas and impactful relationships.” – Mike Tamasi
Become part of the National Tooling & Machining Association by joining today!
