Page 38 - MetalForming March 2023 - PMA Chairman Jeff Aznavorian

Among all of the programs that PMA oversees and offers its member compa- nies, Clips & Clamps most recently has developed a plan to implement the PMA OnboardingME program, a component of its METALFORM EDU online training regimen. PMA offers OnboardingME as a set of free videos for use as a first-day- on-the-job orientation resource for new
hires and temporary workers. Topics cov- ered include personnel safety and safe work practices, emergency response, quality systems, employment law, code of conduct, and career advancement.
“We also have used the PMA’s pur- chasing program with Grainger,” Aznavorian says, “which provides PMA member companies with savings on
MRO products and services. And, we’ve engaged with PMA special counsel Doug Ehlke a few times over the years, to help with OSHA-related questions.”
NOTE: PMA member companies receive 3 free hours of phone consulta- tion with Ehlke each year, and special reduced legal-services rates are available if the 3 free hours are exceeded.
companies, including the Metalforming Insights personalized business reports compiled by Harbour Results, Inc. (HRI). PMA partners with HRI to develop the reports, which provide cross-functional analytics across various manufacturing processes including stamping, tool and die, molding and precision machining.
The reports give members a micro-level view of their
A SELF-PROFESSED “CHEERLEADER FOR PMA”
businesses in four key categories:
• Financials—This study focuses on financial performance
by reviewing key trends in several areas including produc- tivity, throughput, profitability and CapEx investment.
• Operations—This study helps to identify gaps and opportunities in operational performance.
• Sales and Forecasting—Use this knowledge to generate
GROWING BEVY OF MEMBER SERVICES AND BENEFITS
Jeff Aznavorian, who calls himself a “cheerleader for PMA,” believes that the association represents “the best of the best metal forming companies,” he says, “and we need to lean on each other, even more than we already do. PMA helps us make important and deep connections, to other metal forming companies but also to industry experts that can help guide us in the right direction. PMA allows us the opportunity to gather data so that we can analyze it and use it to manage our companies, edu- cate our employees in best practices for today and tomorrow, and help us replace outdated practices with new ones, rooted in technology, that ensure a healthy future.
“With this article and throughout my term as chair,” Aznavorian continues, “if I can pass that feel- ing on to others in the industry, to make them feel what I feel, the connection to PMA and other mem- bers, then I will have succeeded in my role. I feel like I have a partner in PMA that’s a webinar away, a phone call away, a click away. My goal is to con- vince others to feel the same way.”
Aznavorian earned a bachelor’s degree in psy- chology from Eastern Michigan University in 1996, and came to work for his father at Clips & Clamps shortly thereafter. He started in the maintenance department and later moved into the fabrication and assembly departments, material handling, and ship- ping and receiving, where he eventually served as a shift supervisor. His first management role came when he took over as HR manager, originally just to fill in when the previous HR manager went on leave, but which he wound up holding for 18 mo. That role turned out to be a great fit—for his personality and his education—and allowed him to begin to instill his idea of what the company culture should look like.
“When my father joined the company, he brought established best practices in engineering and process control,” says Aznavorian, “and we’ve
remained an engineering-focused company ever since. I feel like I bring more of a people-manage- ment perspective to Clips & Clamps, retaining the smart engineering talent around me while I focus on team building and ensuring that our employees have pathways to growth and success.
“Everyone that works for us has to use their hands, their bodies and their minds,” Aznavorian continues, “so upskilling is our future. We’re looking to evolve into more of a technology company than a manufactur- ing company.”
Aznavorian took the reins from his father in 2016 after completing his MBA at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. And, while he leans on his edu- cation to run the family business, he quickly credits his involvement in PMA— the association’s resources as well as contacts among its member companies —for business advice and to learn best practices.
“Jeff’s involvement in PMA stems
directly from that of his father,” says PMA president David Klotz, “who served as PMA board chair in 1996. Jeff’s been a force at the district level, having served as membership chair, vice chair and as director several times. Now he’ll bring his energy and expertise to headquarters.”
“The districts are the local heartbeat of the association,” Aznavorian says, “and as such we need them to support national, so national in turn can support the local. We’re asking the dis- tricts, for example, to contribute to our efforts on advocacy and on workforce develop-
ment, two of PMA’s key initiatives. These
are areas that raise the tide for everyone
in the industry, whether a PMA member or not.”
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