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2019-20 TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS GRANT AWARDS

Eleven Chicago area high schools are the recipients of grants from the American Mold Builders Association (AMBA) Chicago Chapter. The grants, each awarded in amounts of up to $1,500, are part of the AMBA Chicago’s inaugural TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS Grant Program. The grants are earmarked to assist schools that offer manufacturing programs with purchasing supplies for manufacturing curricula and/or professional development for manufacturing curricula. This is a competitive grant, and to qualify for a TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS Grant, applicants must be located within a 30-mile radius of an AMBA Chicago Chapter member, offer manufacturing curricula in the 2019-20 school year, and allow a mold manufacturing professional speak to its students about careers in mold manufacturing. Congratulations to the following schools:

• East Leyden High School
• Harvard High School
• Homewood-Flossmoor High School
• Oswego High School
• Proviso West High School
• Rich East High School
• Streamwood High School
• West Leyden High School
• Wheeling High School
• Woodstock High School
• York High School

Over $30,000 has been awarded to Chicagoland high schools since its inception in 2018.

2018-19 Tools For Schools - Grants

Twelve high schools in the Chicago area received grants up to $1,500 in the inaugural year of the TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS Grant initiative. This grant was developed by the Chicago Chapter of the American Mold Builders Association to assist schools that offer a manufacturing program in purchasing supplies for manufacturing curricula and/or professional development for manufacturing curricula. A total of $15,000 was distributed to the following schools:

• Buffalo Grove High School
• Elk Grove High School
• Harvard High School
• Homewood-Flossmoor High School
• J. Sterling Morton West High School
• Leyden High Schools
• Palatine High School
• Rich Central High School
• Rich East High School
• Rich South High School
• Streamwood High School
• West Aurora School District 129

The Chicago Chapter congratulates the teachers and schools who will use the funds to purchase perishable tooling, vises, measuring devices, drill bits, machinable wax and tooling, tool holders, and other supplies needed for their manufacturing programs.

SUPPLIER NIGHT RAISES OVER $15,000

The Education Committee of the AMBA Chicago Chapter hosted its fifth annual Supplier Night on April 10, 2019, with a special event for the attendees. Don Beebe, a former running back in the NFL, spoke on his determination and hard work in making it into the NFL and then continuing to play for 18 years with the Buffalo Bills and the Green Bay Packers. Beebe gave an entertaining recount of the difficulties he encountered just trying to get a tryout for the NFL. His journey is detailed in his book, Six Rings from Nowhere, which was for sale at the event.

All in all, the night was a huge success, raising over $15,000 to use in marketing mold manufacturing careers in the Chicagoland area. One such effort is the TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS GRANT, which helps schools purchase tooling, materials, curriculum and other items for their manufacturing programs.

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CHICAGO CHAPTER PARTICIPATES IN IMTS SMARTFORCE STUDENT SUMMIT—September 10-15, 2018

The Chicago Chapter of the AMBA not only participated in the SMARTFORCE Student Summit held during the IMTS at Chicago McCormick Place, but provided travel grants to schools to help offset their cost of attending. During the six-day event, apprentices and mold manufacturing professionals from A-1 Tool Corp., B A Die Mold, Do-Rite Die & Engineering, Janler Corporation, P.M. Mold Company, Progressive Components, and Transform Technologies shared their knowledge and passion for mold manufacturing with students, teachers and parents from around the world. These enthusiastic representatives opened many young people’s eyes to what a “mold” is and the many diverse career opportunities in mold manufacturing. A big draw to the booth organized by the Chicago Chapter’s Education Committee, was a table-top CNC machine creating an AMBA logo. The event also provided the committee members a chance to mingle with teachers and provide them with information on career paths, curriculum for mold manufacturing and offer plant tours and speakers for their classes.

Through the IMTS Travel Grants, schools were awarded $250 to offset their costs to attend the event, as well as having an industry professional walk the show with them answering questions and pointing out unique interesting things. Many of the teachers commented on how invaluable this was as many times the students did not know what the machines’ purposes were, etc.

First Annual AMBA Chicago Supplier Night a Success!

The Chicago Chapter of the AMBA came away from last week's first Supplier Night [4/22/2015] more excited than ever, with all positive feedback from the 35+ supplier exhibitors, the 170+ attendees including mold builders from 20 area companies giving a resounding "thumbs up" and saying they will come back in 2016 for the next Supplier Night.

"I could not be more satisfied with the way the event went and the amazing show of support for our education committee’s initiatives," stated Francine Petrucci, president of B A Die Mold, Inc. and current AMBA Chicago Chapter president. "To have planned and executed such a professional event in a very short time is nothing short of fantastic!"

Net proceeds from the event will be used to host a Fall Parent, Teacher and Counselor Symposium, where AMBA Chicago members will meet with and help to familiarize guests with our industry and the career advantages and opportunities that are available to their children/students. Watch for details on LinkedIn and on the AMBA Chicago's website (www.moldyourcareer.org). Contact the Chapter's Administrator, Karen Norville, for details at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Click here for more photos from Supplier Night 2015

Chicago AMBA Chapter Participates
Smartforce Student Summit At IMTS-2014

The Chicago Chapter of the AMBA was invited to participate in the SMARTFORCE Student Summit held during the IMTS at Chicago McCormick Place September 8-13, 2014.  During the six-day event, apprentices and young mold manufacturing professionals from A-1 Tool Corp., Berry Plastics Mold Manufacturing, Chicago Mold Engineering Co., Craftsman Tool  & Mold, Graphic Tool Corporation, Helm Tool Company, Hommer Tool & Mfg., Janler Corporation and P.M. Mold Company acted as “MTAmbassadors” (Manufacturing Technology Ambassadors).  Sharing their knowledge and passion for mold manufacturing with students, teachers and parents from around the world, these enthusiastic representatives opened many young people’s eyes to what a “mold” is and the many diverse career opportunities in mold manufacturing.

Francine Petrucci, president of the Chicago Chapter and B.A. Die Mold shared her impressions:  “All of the young mold makers that worked in the booth – that I had the pleasure to meet or speak with about their booth time – had only positive comments about their experience as well. I think that, in and of itself, speaks volumes! What a great bunch of kids!!! It’s so cool to see the enthusiasm from the up-and-coming mold makers of tomorrow. They were sure to plant some seeds of interest with teachers, parents and students alike.”

Organized by the Chicago Chapter’s Education Committee, the booth exhibited a large mold with synchronized video of the mold running parts, enabling visitors to learn how plastic objects are made. Many of the visitors had no clue as to the process let alone what mold manufacturing was about.  Those working the booth were enthusiastic showed off the various plastic products on display, as well as a montage of mold manufacturing video assembled by Creative Technology Corp.  The event also provided the committee members a chance to mingle with teachers and provide them with information on career paths, curriculum for mold manufacturing and offer plant tours and speakers for their classes.

In addition to owners and employees from the companies listed above, dedicated professionals from B.A. Die Mold, Creative Technology Corp., Progressive Components and Synventive Molding Solutions came together and exhibited a spectacular demonstration of team work under very tight time constraints.  The Education Committee of the Chicago Chapter looks forward to further opportunities to educate students, teachers, parents and the public in general on the opportunities awaiting those who chose the mold manufacturing industry for their career path.