CMFI

The Chicago Metal Finishers Institute (CMFI) was formed in 1935 and is one of the largest affiliates of the National Association of Metal Finishers (NAMF). Membership currently consists of metal finishing companies and Contributing Sponsors representing suppliers to the metal finishing industry.

The aims and purposes of the CMFI are:

• To provide a centralized source of information concerning the rules and regulations made by local, state and federal agencies; to assist members in complying with these regulations; and to minimize confusion in interpreting these regulations as they apply to the metal finishing industry.
• To conduct regular meetings and seminars promoting ongoing education and providing a forum for discussion of common interest and problems related to the business of electroplating, enameling, and polishing of metal parts.
• To foster social, friendly association of CMFI members and others interested in maintaining the highest standards in metal finishing.

BENEFITS OF CMFI/NAMF MEMBERSHIP

• CMFI MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS. Evening dinner meetings with programs devoted to timely management subjects. Meeting with industry colleagues and discussing mutual problems make our members more profitable.
• CMFI NEWSLETTER AND E-MAIL UPDATES. The Newsletter and e-mail bulletins provide educational articles and reports on association activities and keep our members posted on industry news.
• CMFI HEADQUARTERS. CMFI maintains a full-time office staff experienced in administering the affairs of the Association and our active committees.
• CMFI DIRECTORY & FACILITIES GUIDE. A proven tool now available on our website, directs potential customers to our members based on processes and other pertinent data. Key staff names are listed with vital information for each company member. Potential customers are referred to member companies via both the Directory as well as referrals from CMFI headquarters.
• CMFI STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE. This document has become the byword on the industry which helps in establishing the amount of liability metal finishers must assume.
• CMFI LEGAL COUNSEL. CMFI employs legal counsel to handle matters affecting the association or membership at large. Advice is available to members pertaining to legal and regulatory matters as well as providing members with a letter collection service for delinquent accounts.
• CMFI TECHNICAL CONSULTANT. CMFI employs a specialist to advise on technical matters and provide consults on air and water pollution problems.
• CMFI SOCIAL EVENTS. Special cultural and sporting events are offered for the enjoyment of members, families and guests.
• CMFI LIAISON WITH REGULATORY AGENCIES. Government encroachment now is more detrimental to business than ever before. CMFI has established and maintains an excellent rapport with city, county and state agencies in the area of water and air pollution, solid waste management, and OSHA requirements.
• CMFI WAGE AND BENEFIT SURVEY. A useful tool for comparison of current wage and benefit packages offered by other facilities in our member area.
• CMFI TANK SIGNS. Inexpensive, OSHA-approved, bilingual, tank signs made available to members.
• CMFI REWARD FUND. Offers reward for the apprehension and conviction of criminal behavior against a member company.

NAMF

Founded in 1955, the National Association of Metal Finishers (NAMF) is comprised of management executives in the surface finishing industry and related fields. It has thrived as a trade association thanks to the voluntary and cooperative efforts of its member companies.

Through the years, key legislative and regulatory activities have contributed to making successful daily surface finishing operations increasingly difficult by imposing excessive fines and restrictions upon the industry. With the support of its affiliates, NAMF has met and continues to meet regulatory challenges to remain a strong and viable force in the surface finishing industry.

• NAMF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS PROGRAM. NAMF maintains a highly effective and well respected Government Relations office in Washington, DC; monitoring and influencing legislation and regulations on the national level.
• NAMF ANNUAL CONVENTION. Held each March in a premier resort setting, perfect for family recreation, the convention mixes business seminars with member camaraderie to provide valuable take-home information.
• NAMF INDUSTRY TRADE SHOWS AND CONFERENCSE. These annual events combines timely management seminars with an industry trade show. Attendees learn new management and regulatory concepts, share ideas, develop strategies with peers, and leave with practical applications to improve their businesses.
• NAMF LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE AND CAPITOL HILL VISITS. In conjunction with its government relations activities, NAMF coordinates an annual legislative conference, providing an opportunity for members to meet with elected officials to discuss issues affecting their companies. The conference is an important function of NAMF government relations, providing its members with yet another means of having a voice on important legislative and regulatory issues.
• NAMF TRADE TOUR. Designed to give members an opportunity to study industry-related operations in various parts of the world. Held every two years, trade tour participants have visited sites throughout Europe and the Far East, giving members a first-hand look at foreign operations. Participants rate the trade tour as one of the most exciting benefits of NAMF membership.
• NAMF MANAGEMENT MANUAL. For information on competing finishing methods prevalent in the business world, NAMF turned to the collective experience of its members, owners, and technical personnel of surface finishing job shops for the answers. These answers are provided in NAMF’s Management Manual. With over 500 pages of technical, statistical, and financial information, this manual helps members run their business better by addressing job costs and profit centers, quality control personnel management, insurance, financial management, sales/marketing policies and pollution control, to name a few.
• NAMF CRISIS MANAGEMENT MANUAL. If a major accident or disaster strikes your plant, you will want to be ready with a proven, successful crisis management plan for government officials and members of the media. This Manual was created with that in mind and is geared specifically toward the surface finishing industry.
• NAMF PUBLICATIONS. FinishingLine is the regular newsletter of NAMF events, late-breaking industry issues, regulatory updates and special calendar activities crucial to members. LegislativeLine, written by NAMF’s government relations staff, is a regular supplement to the newsletter and provides members with current regulatory and legislative news relating to the industry.
• NAMF MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY AND RESOURCE GUIDE. Furnishes members and customers with a concise listing of members across the US. Produced every two years, and available online, the directory is a useful tool in identifying other major surface finishing shops.
• NAMF MEMBER BENEFIT PACKAGES. Offering attractive member rates for insurance, long distance, travel and car rental discounts, shipping, and employee payroll program.

WHAT HAVE WE DONE FOR YOU LATELY?

EXTRAORDINARY MONITORING AND ENFORCEMENT (EME) CHARGE

Beginning in December 1999, CMFI representatives began an ongoing dialogue with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago to find a reasonable alternative to the existing EME charge. After one full year of negotiations, the District agreed to suspend all EME charges. Instead, the District substituted a new method to recover administrative compliance costs.

Estimated Savings to CMFI Chicago-area Members: Approximately $6,000/member; $2,000,000 industry-wide.

MP&M

NAMF’s Government Relations Committee and DC office have successfully led the fight to defeat the proposed MP&M regulation which if enacted would, by the Government’s own estimates, have put 10–20% of platers out of business. NAMF committed all its resources (NEARLY $1 MILLION) and energies to this effort on its members behalf—AND WE WON THE FIGHT! The estimated cost savings to metal finishers for the defeat of this regulation is $1 BILLION in annual compliance costs!!!

Chrome PEL

The industry associations have incurred technical, economic and legal consulting fees of approximately $350,000 in our efforts to challenge the proposed regulation on the basis of health risks to workers, technological feasibility, and economic impact. We are anticipating additional expenses for litigation at approximately $300,000.

The original proposed legislation called for a PEL of 1 µg/m³. Because of our diligent efforts, OSHA’s final rule determed that a PEL of 5 µg/m³ is the lowest level that is technologically and economically feasible for industries impacted by this standard.

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