Industry News https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&rss=v7D6YYjh Thu, 4 Jun 2026 01:25:59 GMT Wed, 29 Oct 2025 13:53:51 GMT Copyright © 2025 Coated Abrasive Fabricators Association Message from the President - October 2025 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=514778 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=514778

Dear CAFA Members,

 

As 2025 draws to a close, the North American industrial market finds itself at an inflection point. After several years of turbulence, stabilization is finally coming into view—but not without contrasts across the continent. The U.S. and Mexico are moving through a period of slight contraction, while Canada is charting its own course, showing modest but steady growth.


Across the region, October’s manufacturing data tells a nuanced story. In the United States, the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) slipped just below the expansion threshold to 49.7, suggesting a mild slowdown but stopping short of a full downturn. Mexico’s reading followed closely at 49.9, reflecting similar caution among manufacturers navigating shifting trade dynamics. North of the border, however, Canada’s PMI rose to 52.0—evidence that select industries there continue to thrive despite global uncertainty.

Economic activity across North America remains subdued, shaped by evolving trade policies, the ripple effects of interest rate adjustments, and ongoing geopolitical tension. Yet the overall tone is one of cautious optimism. With interest rate cuts beginning to ease financial pressure, many manufacturers are finding room to reinvest in modernization and growth. The digital transformation of industrial operations continues to accelerate, with automation emerging as both a solution to labor shortages and a strategy for long-term resilience.

Still, challenges persist. Fragile supply chains remain vulnerable to tariff fluctuations and global disruptions, while labor shortages and widening skill gaps are testing the limits of existing workforces. Policy unpredictability—especially in the realm of trade—adds another layer of complexity to long-term planning and investment decisions.

Even with these headwinds, opportunities are emerging. Artificial intelligence and advanced analytics are quickly becoming integral tools for boosting productivity and improving forecasting accuracy. Meanwhile, reshoring and nearshoring trends are reshaping supply chain strategies, as manufacturers look to bring production closer to home and reduce reliance on distant suppliers.

As the industrial sector prepares to close out 2025, the mood is one of measured determination. The landscape is evolving—marked by both challenges and promise—and those able to adapt with agility, technology, and foresight are poised to lead in the next chapter of North America’s manufacturing story.

 

Warm regards,

 

Thomas Perez

President, CAFA

]]> Wed, 29 Oct 2025 14:53:51 GMT Message from the President - November 2024 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=505742 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=505742 Dear CAFA Members,

We are excited that the election season in the United States is over, and we are moving back to our normal tasks. Whether you are happy or sad with the results, it is likely that your work in abrasives is quite similar to what it was before the election. I am hopeful that our economy will continue to grow and coated abrasives will continue to be a key product used in shaping and finishing. People of all political opinions can enjoy an excellent finish!

A few weeks ago we completed our CAFA Board of Directors meeting in Charlotte and we discussed our future convention sites, the meeting events, our mission as an organization among other topics. Our main focus is to bring together business partners to help build successes at every company. I found that I can benefit by working with other members to bring our products and their products to the market. It is impressive what our membership can do!

Please join me in blocking some time to come to our next convention.

Early in December, we will be sending the links for the hotels, the convention schedule, and requests for sponsorships for the next convention that will be held at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in the Miramar Beach area of Florida March 19-22, 2025.

PLEASE USE THE HOTEL LINKS in the upcoming email to book your rooms. Every year we are required to meet a number of CAFA booked rooms to make sure that our convention space is free for our organization. There will be links for the Grand Sandestin and the Hotel Effie (for those that want the traditional hotel experience.)

If you decide to book your room at other hotels near the property it will hurt the organization and we may come up short on our commitment.

Thank you for your support of CAFA. Please remember to renew your membership!

Sincerely,

Steve Kelly
CAFA President

]]> Mon, 18 Nov 2024 16:03:08 GMT Message from the President - September 2024 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=504441 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=504441 Dear CAFA Members,

Election season is upon us, and it seems that everyone is talking about the candidates for President, Governor, Senate, etc. Each race seems to be heavily contested at every level, down to the most local government positions. We hear all the claims and promises over and over again, until we all feel nauseous. Everywhere we look there seems to be an advertisement. Election anxiety is real.

Whether your vote is going to a Republican, Democrat, Independent, or some other candidate, I think that it is most important to educate yourself on what the candidate thinks about the issues that are important to you. Many times, we focus, or we are focused by the media on superficial characteristics like hair, weight, age, sex, etc. A simple list of what the candidate stands for and stands against is a good place to start. Another good form of analysis is the candidate’s history. What did they stand for or against in the past? How did they act to carry out their plans? It would be nice to elect someone based on their job performance, reliability, and the merit of their ideas.

For those outside the United States, I often wonder how the information about our election is viewed. I am sure that it is very confusing to see our political process with the seemingly daily twists and turns. The spin put on 5-10 second statements by candidates is supposed to summarize much longer speeches and often gives rise to inaccurate information.

What does this mean for us? In large part whether your candidate is elected or not, we will still deal with the same issues in 2025. Our focus is on the health of the economy, and whether the markets that we sell to are expanding or shrinking and how our business will navigate a way to success.

In closing, I want to encourage everyone to get out and vote for the candidates of your choice.

No matter what happens during the November election, our next convention will be held at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in the Miramar Beach area of Florida March 19-22, 2025.

Thank you for your support of CAFA. Please remember to renew your membership!

Sincerely,

Steve Kelly
CAFA President]]> Mon, 23 Sep 2024 17:04:33 GMT Message from the President - July 2024 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=503001 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=503001 Dear CAFA Members,
 
I hope you are enjoying your summer, and I hope that all of you will get a chance to take a break for a vacation to one of your favorite destinations. It is good to recharge the batteries and come back rested. Sometimes a vacation allows for some distance from the problems that we all work on and lets us think about different solutions in a relaxed environment. Some of the best ideas suddenly come to mind on a beach or in the mountains!
 
I regularly track the unemployment numbers and we are still seeing low unemployment as a nation (4.1%), and where I am in North Carolina (3.6%). Even with the much higher pay rates that we have experienced over the last couple of years it seems like employees are hard to keep and come up with odd reasons to leave jobs. To be completely open about this topic, I admit that I do not understand much about “Gen Z” and their expectations for work. I recently read that “Gen Z” employees on average only stay at a job for 2 years and 3 months.
 
We have tried many things to keep millennials and “Gen Z” engaged, and I found that there is no solid single answer to the problem, but some of the following helped:
1. Cultivate a purpose driven workplace
2. Provide continuous learning opportunities
3. Promote diversity and inclusion
4. Offer flexibility in work arrangements
5. Encourage collaboration and teamwork
6. Provide meaningful feedback
 
This list is taken directly from a Forbes article written by Luciana Paulise. You can simply do a Google search for her name and the article is the top one listed under her name if you would like to read in more detail. We are trying to implement some of these ideas, but some are not feasible. For instance, we are expanding our meetings to include more team members when we have a project and give good feedback on tasks that are complete (yes, we are including positive feedback as well as negative). However, I struggle with the whole remote work concept, and this is a sore spot for many employees. We are more flexible with our breaks, allow for emergency absence, and generally give some flexibility when we can, but we simply need people in the office. 
 
I hope some of these ideas will help you retain the employees that you want to keep. 
 
As a reminder, our next convention will be held at the same place, Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in the Miramar Beach area of Florida on March 19-22, 2025. 
 
Thank you for your support of CAFA. Please remember to renew your membership!
 
Sincerely,
  
Steve Kelly
CAFA President

]]> Tue, 23 Jul 2024 14:26:15 GMT Message from the President - May 2024 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=501127 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=501127 Dear CAFA Members,

We are already 8 weeks removed from our convention in March! I want to thank everyone for attending the convention and for the feedback that you provided through the survey. Results of the survey will be shared with the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort and we will work on improvements for the convention next year. The main issues were the rooms, the room service, and the front desk (information and time of operation). Also, the board will review the ideas that were presented on the survey and use these to improve our meetings. Many of you mentioned that you valued the networking time and individual meetings highly. We will work to see if we can facilitate better connections before the meeting by giving out the lists of attendees sooner and listing areas to meet.

Our special speaker did a great job with his presentation, and I would like to note that he is available to help you with social media and marketing. Lorenzo Marquez can be reached via email at Lorenzom@marqetgroup.com or call (713) 999-5229.

Once again, I would like to thank Robb Boros and Eric Johnson of Sheldahl and Jerry Casey of Adirondack for their presentations on belt joint tapes and proper joining of belts. Their presentations have been posted to the CAFA website www.cafa-info.org on the far right tab labeled “Tools”.

The board will discuss the survey results to see what topics will be chosen for next year’s meeting. We are trying to make presentations like these relevant and informative for as many members as possible.

For the long range planners, the next convention will be held at the same place, Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in the Miramar Beach area of Florida March 19-22, 2025.

Thank you for your support of CAFA. Please remember to renew your membership!

Sincerely,

Steve Kelly
CAFA President]]> Tue, 14 May 2024 14:27:45 GMT Message from the President - January 2024 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=496825 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=496825 Dear CAFA Members,

Happy New Year! It is always exciting to start a new year and set new goals in business, and personally. After listening to my fair share of economists, I have learned that even the experts did not understand 2023. Predictions at the start of 2023 were gloomy with many strategists and economists considering a recession a sure thing. Despite constant calls for a downturn, the economy proved resilient as markets rallied to record highs. Now, economists predict a modest GDP growth in 2024 of 1.5% with inflation slowing to 2.4% during the year (currently the rate sits at 3.14%). Of course, 2024 is an election year, so we will probably suffer some pullback in spending as we get closer to the November election date.

Looking into the “crystal ball” and doing forecasts is something that we all have to do, and our business decisions depend on accuracy. In order to make a better prediction, I spend some time each month looking at the past records on several items. My favorite website is . For instance, if I have to look at how the inflation rate is going, I look at: . Take a look at the website and look at the reporting, it is impressive.

Our next convention will be held at the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in the Miramar Beach area of Florida on March 20-23, 2024. was opened early this year during the first week of December. Early bird registration continues through February 9th, so please register early and take advantage of the lower prices. Our rooms will be in the Grand Complex located next door to the Baytowne Conference center where our meetings will be held. Shuttle service is available to all areas of the Sandestin resort and we will be within walking distance to shopping, multiple restaurants, marina, bars, and entertainment. For more information, please visit the website:

Remember to use the CAFA website to find all of the current CAFA information. Check the web site often for updates, renewal of memberships, membership directory, and much more. As a reminder here is the link .

Sincerely,

Steve Kelly
CAFA President

]]> Wed, 3 Jan 2024 18:39:29 GMT Message from the President - September 2023 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=493708 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=493708

Dear CAFA Members,
When I travel, I am regularly asked, “what do you do for a living?” The usual response that I give is, “I sell sandpaper.” I have learned this response after trying to explain “coated abrasives” many times only to come back to the word, “sandpaper”. The conversation turns to questions about “who uses sandpaper?” and I point to the things that surround us that have been sanded. It is always funny to see the expressions of people considering for the first time that the world around them was sanded and finished! My guess is that many of you have experienced the same conversations.
We are in a small group of coated abrasives manufacturers and fabricators with many lifetimes of experience working with applications that would amaze the public. I used to keep track of new applications that I had seen every year until I ran out of new applications. The last new one that I remember was the sanding of sugar beet seeds to remove the husks so the seeds would germinate faster when planted. Another odd one was the sanding of driftwood that washed up on the seashore.
When we get together at our conventions, it is a chance for us to talk about our products and applications with people that understand us. It is a chance for us to improve and build partnerships. I hope you will consider coming to our next convention in 6 months that will be held at the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in the Miramar Beach area of Florida. Please save the dates: March 20-23, 2024. Our rooms will be in the Grand Complex located next door to the Baytowne Conference center where our meetings will be held. Shuttle service is available to all areas of the Sandestin resort and we will be within walking distance to shopping, multiple restaurants, marina, bars, and entertainment. For more information, please visit the website: www.sandestin.com
Remember to use the CAFA website to find all of the current CAFA information. Check the web site often for updates, renewal of memberships, membership directory, and much more. As a reminder here is the link www.cafa-info.org.
Sincerely,
Steve Kelly
CAFA President
]]> Mon, 18 Sep 2023 19:26:37 GMT Message from the President - July 2023 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=491626 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=491626

Dear CAFA Members,

 

Summertime is finally here, and I hope that everyone will get some time away from work to enjoy a vacation with friends and family. Our family always looked forward to a week together going somewhere in this great country, usually to a different destination every time!

 

At the risk of restating the obvious, I would like to talk about the purpose of CAFA. The focus of the organization in my view is the gathering of resources into one place to educate each other about our companies and how our companies can better partner together with each other. As I talk with members, value is found in CAFA through the relationships that are built at conventions with an emphasis on technical aspects of our products. Spending dedicated time away from our normal business activities allows for targeted conversations that can fundamentally change the way we operate. Also, our companies are in constant transition, and it is important for new connections to be made even if our companies have worked together for many years. I hope you will make it a priority to renew your membership and attend the CAFA Convention.

 

The next convention is 8 months away and it will be held at the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in the Miramar Beach area of Florida. Please save the dates: March 20-23, 2024. Our rooms will be in the Grand Complex located next door to the Baytowne Conference center where our meetings will be held. Shuttle service is available to all areas of the Sandestin resort and we will be within walking distance to shopping, multiple restaurants, marina, bars, and entertainment. For more information, please visit the website: www.sandestin.com

 

Remember to use the CAFA website to find all of the current CAFA information. Check the website often for updates, renewal of memberships, membership directory, and much more. As a reminder here is the link www.cafa-info.org.

 

Sincerely,

 

Steve Kelly

CAFA President

]]> Tue, 25 Jul 2023 14:22:25 GMT Message from the President - May 2023 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=491627 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=491627 Dear CAFA Members,

It was great to see everyone who attended the CAFA Convention at the Westin La Paloma Resort in Tucson in March. Despite the below average temperatures and the rain that made the golf more challenging, I think the event was a success. The western themed event Friday night with a corn hole competition, western musical guests, and Loop Rawlins was the highlight of the meeting. (If you missed Loop, you can search his name and find his act on the internet)

I would also like to personally thank Tony and Adrienne Hufford, the Board of Directors & CM Services for all of their hard work to organize the meeting. Tony served as President of the organization through COVID and stepped in to serve a third time to pull together an excellent convention.

I know we just finished up our convention a few weeks ago, but we will now start to organize all the details for our next get together in Sandestin at the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in the Miramar Beach area of Florida. Please save the dates: March 20-23, 2024. Our rooms will be in the Grand Complex located next door to the Baytowne Conference center where our meetings will be held. Shuttle service is available to all areas of the Sandestin resort and we will be within walking distance to shopping, multiple restaurants, marina, bars, and entertainment. For more information please visit the website:

Remember to use the to find all of the current CAFA information. Check the web site often for updates, renewal of memberships, membership directory, and much more. As a reminder here is the link: .

Sincerely,

Steve Kelly
CAFA President

]]> Tue, 25 Jul 2023 14:22:45 GMT Message from the President - February 2023 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=484746 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=484746 Dear CAFA Members,

Time flies.  As we begin Feb 2023, we are sending this extra copy of the Nitty Gritty to insure you have all the latest information about the upcoming convention in Tucson, AZ.  I look forward to seeing you all there as we get back to our annual convention schedule. 

As a reminder, the cost of hotel rooms will be significantly less ($199 per night vs $225 per night) this year vs last year.  Please take advantage of this by booking rooms early and brining all representatives in your company who will benefit from engagement with the leaders in the Coated Abrasive Industry.

We have also included an initial convention agenda inclusive of hotel and restaurant information, things to do in Tucson and tradeshow shipping information.  We are still finalizing who our speaker will be and where the CAFA 2024 convention will be held, so we will announce these updates the coming weeks. 

  • NOTE: Currently you will only be able to book rooms at the CAFA rate of $199 starting on March 21st. If you would like to arrive earlier than that please book the nights that are available to you on the hotel web link and then notify Megan at megang@cmservices.com. You can book rooms up to three nights past March 25th for the CAFA rate now.

2023 CAFA Convention Registration and Hotel Room Bookings Link are now OPEN.

Convention Dates – March 22nd – March 25th - Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa – Tucson, AZ

  • This will be an In-Person Event
  • Lots of space for networking with industry leaders
  • Old Western Cookout and Rope Show – Friday Night Event – Dress the part!

Don’t forget to check for details on the CAFA WEBSITE.  All of the 2023 CAFA information will be posted there.  Remember to check the web site often for updated information.  As a reminder here is the link www.cafa-info.org.

We are going to change up the Nitty Gritty newsletter cadence for the next few months to keep you all updated.  We will have newsletters in Feb and March.  If you have any questions regarding registering for the 2023 convention, please contact Megan at megang@cmservices.com.

Tony Hufford
CAFA President

]]> Thu, 2 Feb 2023 20:24:21 GMT Message from the President - September 2022 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=478894 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=478894 Dear CAFA Members,

Fall has arrived, not that you can tell from most of the southwest.  That time of year when you look closely at where you are at verse current budget and to blow the dust off the crystal ball to start forecasting for 2023.  The past few years have truly been a SWAG for many companies but they have caused all of us to be creative in how we manage our companies, supply chains, etc., and have made us stronger and I hope better prepared for future challenges.

It’s 6 months until we get together again for our annual convention.  I know it seems like a long time from now but we are now starting to organize all the details for our next get together at the Westin La Paloma Resort in Tucson on March 22-25, 2023.   

We are working on the list of topics and speakers for our General Session and breakout meetings.  Please let me know if you have any suggestions or topics that you feel would be relevant to the whole group.  We want to make sure we can provide worthwhile information to our members.  

Some ideas are:
• Supply Chain / Logistics concerns
• Conflict mineral / REACH / RoHS / Prop 65
• Cyber, company security
• Business sale / succession planning
• E-Commerce / social media
• Managing and motivating the younger generation

Don’t forget the CAFA WEBSITE with all of the current CAFA information posted there.  Remember to check the website often and please update your company information.  As a reminder here is the link www.cafa-info.org.  

Chris Cecchettini
CAFA President 

]]> Mon, 26 Sep 2022 20:07:22 GMT Message from the President - July 2022 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=475285 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=475285

Dear CAFA Members,

I’m sure many of us get to the office each morning and ask ourselves the same daily questions; Where can I find enough employees to run the machines, is it inflation / recession / stagflation…, and the most popular, how many price increases will I get for raw material today?   This has got to be one of the most challenging and stressful times that most of us have ever dealt with.  I know my hair is about as white as it can get and is probably falling out, if I was brave enough to look closely in the mirror.  It’s hard to look beyond the pressures at your own company but please keep in mind that most, if not all of us are going through the same issues.  From our fellow CAFA members to our distributors and end users, they all voice the same concerns.  I have to believe we will get through this, smarter and stronger than before.  It’s amazing what you come up with when backed into a corner while trying to be a reliable supplier to your customers.  My advice, leave it at the office, cherish your loved ones, take a hike and maybe drink some good Italian wine. 

8 Months!  That’s how long it is until we can get together again for our annual convention.  Something to look forward to!

I know it seems like a long time from now but we are now starting to organize all the details for our next get together at the Westin La Paloma Resort in Tucson on March 22-25, 2023. Here’s hoping that we are able to get control of COVID so that more of our members are able to attend and enjoy the benefits of meeting face to face (and to share supply chain and hiring headaches).

Don’t forget the CAFA WEBSITE with all of the current CAFA information posted there.  Remember to check the web site often for updated information.  As a reminder here is the link www.cafa-info.org.  

Sincerely,

Chris Cecchettini
CAFA President ]]> Wed, 20 Jul 2022 19:19:23 GMT Message from the President - May 2022 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=468487 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=468487 Dear CAFA Members,

It was great to see everyone who was able to attend the March / April 2022 CAFA Convention.  I think everyone would agree that we were able to hold a safe, fun and productive convention which benefited all of our members.  I want to thank everyone for their participation.

I would also like to personally thank Tony and Adrienne Hufford, the Board of Directors & CM Services for all of their hard work.  Without their dedication to this organization, we would not have made it through the last few challenging years as well as we have and to organize the last two conventions with all the roadblocks they had to overcome.

I know we just finished up our convention in Orlando a few weeks ago, but we will now start to organize all the details for our next get together at the Westin La Paloma Resort in Tucson on March 22-25, 2023.   Here’s hoping that we are able to get control of COVID so that more of our members are able to attend and enjoy the benefits of meeting face to face (and to share supply chain and hiring headaches)

Don’t forget the new CAFA WEBSITE launched in 2020 with all of the current CAFA information posted there.  Remember to check the web site often for updated information.  As a reminder here is the link www.cafa-info.org.

Sincerely,

Chris Cecchettini
CAFA President

]]> Fri, 13 May 2022 21:26:21 GMT Message from the President - March 2022 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=455592 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=455592 Dear CAFA Members,

By the time everyone reads this, we will be close to “moving the clocks forward” and getting ready for Spring.  Believe it or not, it is time for our in person convention this month.  The year has moved fast and our hearts and prayers are with all of the innocent people effected by the Russian-Ukraine war. 

I would like to personally thank the Board of Directors & CM Services for all of their hard work in 2022.  This year has not been without its challenges, but we are confident in our ability to hold a productive, in person convention in 2022.

Included in this months Nitty Gritty will be links to register for the convention and to make room reservations at the Marriot World Center. 

As mentioned, our CAFA Convention is only a few weeks away!!

2022 Convention Date – March 30th – April 2nd, 2022 - Marriot World Center – Orlando Florida

  • This will be an In-Person Event
  • We will follow all CDC and Florida’s local guidelines about health & safety.
  • Following this event, we will return to our normal yearly convention schedule

Don’t forget the new CAFA WEBSITE launched in 2020 and all of the 2022 CAFA information will be posted there.  Remember to check the web site often for updated information.  As a reminder here is the link www.cafa-info.org.

We will also post all convention information to the home page of the website.  If you have any questions regarding registering for the 2022 convention, please contact Megan at megang@cmservices.com.

Sincerely,

Tony Hufford
CAFA President

]]> Mon, 7 Mar 2022 20:21:47 GMT CUMI to acquire assets of AWUKO Abrasives, Germany https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=424878 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=424878 Chennai, 23 December 2021: M/s CUMI GmbH, Germany, a step -down subsidiary of M/s. Carborundum Universal Limited (CUMI) has entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with the Insolvency Administrator of M/s AWUKO ABRASIVES Wandmacher GmbH &Co. KG, Germany (AWUKO) on 22nd December 2021for acquiring the main assets of AWUKO. Insolvency proceedings in AWUKO had commenced recently and CUMI has been selected as the successful bidder in a competitive bidding process for the assets of AWUKO which includes land & building, plant & machinery, fixed assets, leased assets, brands & trademarks, patents, technical know-how and other intangible assets but excludes cash and receivables. The asset purchase deal will be subject to completion of negotiations with the Works Council in connection with rightsizing of employees as well as agreements with the lessors/creditors of AWUKO.

Talking about the proposed purchase of assets, Mr. N. Ananthaseshan, Managing Director of CUMI said, “Acquiring the assets of AWUKO fits in well with CUMI’s expansion plans in Europe. CUMI will gain access to the Coated Abrasives capacity of 10 million square meters, global distribution base and an experienced process & application engineering team. Significant cross learning is possible as CUMI also operates two Coated Abrasive makers in India. Further, CUMI will be able to provide critical raw materials to AWUKO from its operations in India and Russia.”

Mr. Sridharan Rangarajan, Director Finance and Strategy of CUMI said, “AWUKO is a 120-year-old leading brand in Coated Abrasives business. AWUKO is a market leader in Leather and Wood applications with strong presence in Metal and Lacquer applications. The acquisition is in line with CUMI’s aggressive inorganic growth plans. With our expertise and experience in turning around the performance of stressed assets we intend to enhance our international offerings in Coated Abrasive products. CUMI will benefit with the access to varied technology and leveraging opportunity for each other’s brands.”

About CUMI

Carborundum Universal Limited (CUMI), a part of Murugappa Group, established as a tripartite in 1954, is a leading materials sciences engineering solutions provider. CUMI’s consolidated revenue is 370 Million USD. CUMI is a Mines to Market Company whose integrated operations include mining, power generation, fusion, manufacturing, marketing and distribution. CUMI has over 5,000 employees worldwide who collaborate, innovate and develop high-quality material solutions and world-class services in abrasives, electro minerals, refractories and ceramics, serving customers in diverse industries including engineering, fabrication, auto and auto components, infrastructure, steel, glass, power generation and distribution, mining and aerospace. CUMI has a wide geographical presence spanning five continents and exports products to over 43 countries.

About Murugappa Group

Founded in 1900, the 5.5 Billion USD Murugappa Group is one of India's leading business conglomerates. The Group has 29 businesses including ten listed Companies traded in NSE & BSE. Headquartered in Chennai, the major Companies of the Group include Carborundum Universal Ltd., CG Power and Industrial Solutions Ltd., Cholamandalam Financial Holdings Ltd., Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Ltd., Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company Ltd., Coromandel International Ltd., Coromandel Engineering Company Ltd., E.I.D. Parry (India) Ltd., Parry Agro Industries Ltd., Shanthi Gears Ltd., Tube Investments of India Ltd. and Wendt (India) Ltd.

The Group holds leadership position in several product lines including Abrasives, Technical Ceramics, Electro Minerals, Auto Components & Systems, Bicycles, Fertilisers, Sugar, Tea and Spirulina (Nutraceuticals). The Group has forged strong alliances with leading international companies such as Groupe Chimique Tunisien, Foskor, Mitsui Sumitomo, Morgan Advanced Materials, Yanmar & Co. and Compagnie Des Phosphat De Gafsa (CPG). The Group has a wide geographical presence all over India and spanning 6 continents.

Renowned brands like BSA, Hercules, Montra, Mach City, Ballmaster, Ajax, Parry’s, Chola, Gromor, Shanthi Gears and Paramfos are from the Murugappa stable. The Group fosters an environment of professionalism and has a workforce of over 51,000 employees.

For more details, visit https://www.murugappa.co

CUMI AMERICA INC

7310 Turfway Rd, Ste 550, Florence, KY 41018

Tel: 859 372 6606, Fax: 859 372 6607

E-mail: sales@cumiusa.com ,

Website: www.cumiabrasives.com

]]> Mon, 17 Jan 2022 17:54:12 GMT Message from the President - January 2022 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=416298 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=416298 Dear CAFA Members,

Happy New Year!  Wow, as I reflect back on 2021, we accomplished a lot but there were still challenges with COVID-19.  We were able to come together as a group to have a productive “annual” convention for the first time in 2 years safely in October.  As we begin 2022, new variants of COVID-19 still challenge the lives and livelihood of many, the global economy and travel.  There is also the sense that COVID-19 will be a part of our lives for the foreseeable future, but that it will become something society and people learn to manage to keep from getting severely ill. 

I would like to personally thank the Board of Directors & CM Services for all of their hard work in in 2021 and for their future work in 2022.  This coming year will still present challenges, but we are hopeful to return to a “new normal” soon.  The BOD has voted, after reviewing the recent convention survey sent to our members, to hold our in-person convention in 2022 as originally planned.

It’s time to start planning for the 2022 convention which will take place in three short months.

2022 Convention Date – March 30th – April 2nd, 2022 - Marriot World Center – Orlando Florida

  • This will be an In-Person Event
  • We will follow all CDC and Florida’s local guidelines about health & safety.
  • Following this event, we will return to our normal yearly convention schedule

Don’t forget the new CAFA WEBSITE launched in 2020 and all of the 2022 CAFA information will be posted there.  Remember to check the web site often for updated information.  As a reminder here is the link www.cafa-info.org.

In the coming weeks we will be sending the 2022 convention information, including the link to book your rooms at the CAFA rate.  We will also post all convention information to the home page of the website.  If you have any questions regarding registering for the 2022 convention, please contact Megan at megang@cmservices.com.

Tony Hufford
CAFA President

]]> Fri, 7 Jan 2022 19:48:21 GMT Message from the President - November 2021 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=383758 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=383758
It was great to see everyone who was able to attend the October 2021 CAFA Convention.  This was the first time we have all been together in over two years.  We were able to hold a safe and productive convention which I believe benefited all of our members.  Thank you everyone!

I would like to personally thank the Board of Directors & CM Services for all of their hard work in planning this convention.  We dealt with a lot of unprecedented situations which made planning this event especially difficult.  I would also like to thank our sponsors.  Without their support we could not hold many of the events that will make this convention memorable.  

It’s time to start planning for the 2022 convention which will take place in four short months.

2022 Convention Date – March 30th – April 2nd, 2022 - Marriot World Center – Orlando Florida
o This will be an In-Person Event 
o We will follow all CDC and Florida’s local guidelines about health & safety.
o Following this event, we will return to our normal yearly convention schedule

Don’t forget the new CAFA WEBSITE launched in 2020 and all of the 2021 CAFA information will be posted there.  Remember to check the web site often for updated information.  As a reminder here is the link www.cafa-info.org.  

In a few short months the 2022 Convention information, including the link to book your rooms at the CAFA rate, will be posted to the home page of the website and is also included in future newsletters.  If you have any questions regarding registering for the convention, please contact Megan at megang@cmservices.com.

Tony Hufford, CAFA President 
 
]]> Wed, 17 Nov 2021 20:50:33 GMT Message from the President - September 2021 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=376584 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=376584 Dear CAFA Members,

The global economy is picking up, people are traveling again, restaurants are opening and while supply chains are strained it feels like things are settling into a “new normal”. The pandemic is still effecting the lives and livelihoods of many, but we are confident we can hold a SAFE, productive, in person CAFA Convention this October. We are looking forward to seeing all of the members and our friends next month.

I would like to personally thank the Board of Directors & CM Services for all of their hard work in planning this convention. We dealt with a lot of unprecedented situations which made planning this event especially difficult. I would also like to thank our sponsors. Without their support we could not hold many of the events that will make this convention memorable.

As a reminder the following are the dates of our next two upcoming conventions.

2021 Convention Date – October 6th-9th 2021 - Marriott World Center – Orlando, Florida
o This will be an In-Person Event
o We will follow all CDC and Florida’s local guidelines about health & safety.
2022 Convention Date – March 30th – April 2nd, 2022 - Marriott World Center – Orlando, Florida
o In-Person Event & return us to our “normal” yearly convention schedule.

Three informative attachments are linked below. Please print them out and keep them as they contain very helpful information in regard to the Convention Agenda, Hotel Mask Policy and Inbound and Outbound Shipping for the Trade Show.

Convention Agenda
COVID-19 Protocols
Shipping Instructions

The new CAFA WEBSITE launched in 2020 and all of the 2021 CAFA information will be posted there. Remember to check the web site often for updated information. As a reminder here is the link www.cafa-info.org.

Convention information, including the link to book your rooms at the CAFA rate, is posted to the Convention page of the website and is also included in this newsletter. If you have any questions regarding registering for the convention, please contact Megan at megang@cmservices.com.

Tony Hufford
CAFA President

]]> Fri, 10 Sep 2021 14:30:43 GMT Message from the President - July 2021 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=373067 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=373067 Dear CAFA Members,

The global economy is picking up, people are traveling again, restaurants are opening and while supply chains are strained it feels like things are settling into a “new normal.” The pandemic is still effecting the lives and livelihoods of many, but there continues to be a promising trend globally with the COVID-19 case trend accelerating downward.  In the state of PA where I live, mask restrictions were lifted in June and we are at and all time 7 day new case average low since the pandemic began.  I have spoke to many members who are excited to be able to attend an in person convention and network face to face (without staring at a computer).  We made the right decision moving the CAFA convention to October of 2021 and our dream of an in person convention now seems like a certain reality.  We are looking forward to seeing all of the members and our friends in a few short months.

Wow, as I think about the convention being in a few months, there is a lot of work for the CAFA BOD to do.  We had our first formal planning session last week as a board, and we have already been in contact with the hotel to begin detailed planning and the Friday night event is going to be awesome!

We will be dedicating a separate section of the Nitty Gritty specific to the convention and all the details we have to share so far, including a link to book your hotel room at the CAFA rate of $219 per night inclusive of any resort fees. Communication from CAFA will be picking up over the next few months so please be on the lookout and make sure you “whitelist” our emails so they do not go into your junk folder.

As a reminder the following are the dates of our next two upcoming conventions. 

2021 Convention Date – October 6th- 9th 2021 - Marriot World Center – Orlando Florida
  •  This will be an In-Person Event
  • We will follow all CDC and Florida’s local guidelines about health & safety.
2022 Convention Date – March 30th - April 2nd, 2022 - Marriot World Center – Orlando Florida
  •  In-Person Event & return us to our “normal” yearly convention schedule.

Key Dates to Remember:

  • July 1st – CAFA Convention Registration Begins – Early $100 discount Though Aug 31st
  • July 1st – CAFA Sponsorship Sign Up Begins – Through Sept 30th
    • Please contact Chris Cecchettini @ chrisc@wesand.com for more details
    • We appreciate your support!!

As a reminder the new CAFA WEBSITE launched in 2020.  You have all received an email announcing the new website, but in case you missed it here is the link www.cafa-info.org.  

Convention information, including the link to book your rooms at the CAFA rate, will be posted to the home page of the website so keep checking it often and direct any questions you have to Megan at megang@cmservices.com.

Tony Hufford
CAFA President

]]> Tue, 6 Jul 2021 16:38:06 GMT Message from the President - May 2021 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=370212 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=370212
As the pandemic is still effecting the lives and livelihoods of many, there continues to be a promising trend globally with the COVID-19 case trend accelerating downward. There are now over 229 million doses administered in the United States and over 1 billion doses globally. This is encouraging news and is consistent with the BOD’s feelings that an October 2021 in person CAFA convention is very realistic. We are looking forward to seeing all of the members and our friends in the near future.

CAFA sent out a survey to get a up to date pulse on how the pandemic is affecting our members businesses last month and we are presenting the results in this month’s edition of the Nitty Gritty.

Time is flying buy as usual and we have already passed the original 2021 CAFA convention date. As a reminder the following are the dates of our next two upcoming conventions. As a result of the pandemic and our hotel commitments, we will be holding these conventions six months apart and then resuming our traditional yearly gap between conventions starting in 2023.

2021 Convention Date – October 6th-9th 2021 - Marriot World Center – Orlando Florida
o This will be an In-Person Event & may have a virtual presenter component to it.
o Guidelines about health & safety will be sent prior to convention registration.

2022 Convention Date – March 30th – April 2nd, 2022 - Marriot World Center – Orlando Florida
o This will be an In-Person Event & return us to our “normal” convention schedule.
o Guidelines about health & safety will be sent prior to convention registration.

The CAFA BOD will be busy in the coming months to begin preparation for the 2021 convention. We will be sending details about that convention in the July edition of the Nitty Gritty, but I wanted to call out some key dates:
• June 30th – Membership Renewal $100 Discount Cut Off Date
• July 1st – CAFA Convention Registration Begins – Though Aug 30th
• July 1st – CAFA Sponsorship Sign Up Begins – Through Sept 30th
o We appreciate your support!!

As a reminder the new CAFA WEBSITE launched in 2020. You have all received an email announcing the new website, but in case you missed it here is the link www.cafa-info.org. We would love to hear your feedback. You can email feedback directly to Megan at megang@cmservices.com.

Tony Hufford
CAFA President
]]> Mon, 10 May 2021 20:20:25 GMT CAFA Website Spotlight - Conversion Equipment for Sale Forum https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=367015 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=367015 www.cafa-info.org. We hope that you've had time to click around & login to the new 'members only' portal. We believe you will find the site more functional, easier to navigate, and a useful source of information about CAFA and its activities.

This month, we'd like to highlight one of the new features of the website - the Conversion Equipment for Sale Forum. This feature is fairly straight-forward. Just as its name states, the forum allows CAFA members to post about conversion equipment they are selling. Other CAFA members will be able to see these posts, and comment on items they are interested in purchasing. 

Below are step by step instructions on how to post an item for sale:
1. Login to your member profile.
2. Hover your mouse over the “Members Only” menu item, and select “Conversion Equipment for Sale”
3. To post an item for sale, select “Add New Post.” 
4. Fill in all required fields. In the body of the post, make sure to include a description of the item you are selling and your contact information for interested buyers. We encourage you to include images of the item as well.
5. Click “Submit.” 

Below are step by step instructions on how to browse items for sale:
1. Login to your member profile.
2. Hover your mouse over the “Members Only” menu item, and select “Conversion Equipment for Sale”
3. By default, all posts will appear in chronological order. 
4. Utilize the “Search all posts for:” functionality to limit the results shown.
5. If you are interested in purchasing an item, comment on the post or reach directly out to the seller.

If you have any questions about this website feature, please contact Megan at megang@cmservices.com. ]]> Tue, 9 Mar 2021 18:30:46 GMT Message from the President - March 2021 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=366994 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=366994 Dear CAFA Members,

As the pandemic is still effecting the lives and livelihoods of many, there is a promising trend globally with the COVID-19 case trend accelerating downward.  Vaccine distribution continues to accelerate with 42 million doses administered in the United States. On Sunday, the U.S. hit an important milestone delivering 2 million doses in one day, doubling the daily number from just three weeks ago.  The global trend is accelerating as well, with now over 131 million vaccines administered.  This is encouraging news and is consistent with the BOD’s feelings that an October 2021 in person CAFA convention is very realistic.  We are looking forward to seeing all of the members and our friends in the near future.

CAFA will be sending out another survey to get an up-to-date pulse on how the pandemic is affecting our members.  You can find a link to the survey in this months Nitty Gritty e-newsletter. We will also send out various email reminders about the survey. Please continue to fill out these surveys completely and honestly and we will share the results in the May 2021 edition of the Nitty Gritty.
Reminder: CAFA March 2021 Convention in Orlando Florida has been postponed.

New 2021 Convention Date – October 6th-9th 2021 - Marriot World Center – Orlando Florida
o This will be an In-Person Event
o Guidelines about health & safety will be sent prior to convention registration.

2022 Convention Date – March 30th – April 2nd, 2022 - Marriot World Center – Orlando Florida
o This will be an In-Person Event & return us to our “normal” convention schedule.
The last few months have been very busy as the CAFA BOD secured a new contract with the Marriot World Center for the new 2021 convention dates.  I would like to personally thank all of the BOD’s for the extra time they have put in to insure the 2021 convention’s success.

As a reminder the new CAFA WEBSITE launched in 2020.  You have all received an email announcing the new website, but in case you missed it here is the link: www.cafa-info.org.  We would love to hear your feedback. You can email feedback directly to Megan at megang@cmservices.com.

Tony Hufford
CAFA President 

]]> Tue, 9 Mar 2021 17:15:09 GMT Message from the President - January 2021 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=363946 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=363946

Dear CAFA Members,

2020 is behind us and many are looking forward to 2021.  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season.  Multiple vaccines were approved in December and the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a new strain of the virus continues to challenge the lives and livelihoods of many.  As I write this letter, the news has not yet reported on likely spikes of confirmed cases due to the holiday season, but there are certain regions of the world that are still on lock down and travel is heavily restricted.

It is with great sadness that I tell you that we have lost a member of the CAFA family.  Pepe Jimenez passed away in late November.  We will have a section of the CAFA newsletter dedicated to celebrating Pepe’s life.

CAFA has been sending out a lot of surveys lately and I would like to personally thank everyone for their participation. These surveys are crucial and give the membership a voice during these unprecedented times by providing a good “gut” check for how our members feel about holding an in-person convention 2021.  A majority of you have said that you would not feel comfortable attending a March 2021 Convention in Orlando Florida, and the BOD has listened.  We will post the full results of the survey to our membership in this month’s edition of the Nitty Gritty.

Due to the survey results, the prediction many are making that general travel will be restricted through the beginning of 2021 and also news that the vaccines won’t be available to all in the USA until mid-2021, the CAFA March 2021 Convention in Orlando Florida has been postponed.

New 2021 Convention Date – October 6th-9th 2021 - Marriott World Center – Orlando Florida

 

  • This will be an In-Person Event
  • Detailed guidelines about health and safety will be sent out prior to convention registration

We will continue to send surveys about relevant topics during 2021 to ensure that we stay in touch with the membership and give you all a voice.   Please fill out any survey completely and promptly, as your input will help to guild the boards future decisions and actions.  Thank you all in advance.

As a reminder the new CAFA WEBSITE launched July 1st.  You have all received an email announcing the new website, but in case you missed it here is the link www.cafa-info.org.  We would love to hear your feedback. You can email feedback directly to Megan at megang@cmservices.com.

Sincerely,

Tony Hufford
CAFA President

]]> Thu, 14 Jan 2021 15:19:33 GMT Remembering Our Friend, Jose "Pepe" Jimenez https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=363812 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=363812
Jose had a profound knowledge of the coated abrasive business. He started working as a Laboratory Assistant, investigating, and developing new procedures in adhesives. Soon after, he became Technical Manager and later was recommended as the R&D and Quality Control Manager. Thereafter, Pepe became the Manufacturing Director and before his retirement in 2019, he was promoted to Deputy Director to the company’s President. His familiarity with the coated abrasives world, natural courtesy, and unique and clear communications skills took Pepe as the guest keynote speaker to many countries in North, Central, and South America.

Pepe always attended the CAFA meetings with his wife and at least one of his daughters. When possible a grandchild or son-in-law would also accompany them. It was important for him to bring them to the convention and he would enjoy this time. In a certain way, he would interconnect his two passions, his family and his work.

Besides his strong Christian Catholic faith, his wife, daughters and friends, Pepe Jimenez was also passionate about minerals and rocks. He used to inspire family and friends by comparing them.

Pepe pondered that “we are so different, same as a rock is unlike to each other, and so treasured as the finest gem; we have to learn everybody’s attributes, determination, steadiness, and crystalline construction, which all are exclusive works of God, that makes us unique, same as He is."

Pepe is survived by his beloved Irma (married in November 1965), his five daughters (Irma, Claudia, Gabriela, Mari-Jose, and Paulina), and 22 grandchildren.
]]> Mon, 11 Jan 2021 21:28:36 GMT Message from the President - November 2020 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=361767 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=361767 Dear CAFA Members,

As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge the lives and livelihoods of many. The spikes in confirmed cases in certain regions of the country and varied local and state regulation changes are just two examples that still cause concern and varied opinions among people. Due to the ever changing environment, the CAFA BOD held the first ever hybrid BOD meeting this October, with some of us traveling to the convention site while adhering to the guidelines of the CDC and following state and local regulations and some attending virtually to discuss general business, COVID-19 concerns and the March 2021 CAFA Annual Convention. I can share that I was one of the BOD’s who traveled to the Marriott and I felt very safe and comfortable the whole time. Currently, we are working toward the goal of conducting an in person annual convention which will be held in March 2021, albeit with a focus on social distancing and safe interactions.

I would like to personally thank everyone for their participation in the 2021 Convention surveys that the CAFA BOD sent in October. These provided a good “gut” check for how our members feel about holding an in-person convention in March 2021, with 60% saying they would attend. We will post the full results of the survey to our membership in this month’s addition of the Nitty Gritty.

Another survey will be sent out next week to confirm the membership’s opinion about CAFA’s Annual Convention this coming March 2021 in Orlando FL. Please fill this survey out completely and promptly, as your input will help to guide the boards final decision which has to be made by December 11th, 2020 due to contractual agreements. Thank you all in advance for your help.

CAFA officially brought on two new board members in October. Chris Cecchettini, who was the first board member in history to be elected virtually by the membership, officially took on the role of Vice President. I look forward to working with him as he prepares to take on the role of President in 2022. Ken Whetstone had to resign from the board for personal reasons and we are happy to announce that Don Wisniewski has agreed to fill his role as Marketing Manager for the next two years.

As a reminder the new CAFA WEBSITE launched July 1st. You have all received an email announcing the new website, but in case you missed it here is the link www.cafa-info.org. We would love to hear your feedback. You can email feedback directly to Megan at megang@cmservices.com.

Tony Hufford
CAFA President
]]> Fri, 20 Nov 2020 15:41:44 GMT CAFA Member Highlight - Fielco Adhesives https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=361727 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=361727
Q: What is your full company name and when was your company founded? A: Fielco Adhesives, Founded in 1976.
 Q: How long has your company been a member of CAFA? A: Approximately 25 years.
 Q: What products or services does your company offer? A: Fielco formulates and manufactures high performance adhesive systems for abrasive converting. Including the following:
  • Flap Disc Adhesives
  • Flap Wheel Adhesives
  •  Spindle/Shaft Mounted Flap Wheels
  • Flange Mounted Flap Wheels
  • Hub Mounting Adhesives

Q. What market segments does your company serve?
A. We serve the following market segments:
  • Abrasive Converting
  • Paint Applicator (Paint Brush & Paint Roller Adhesives)
  • Electronic Encapsulating
  • Temporary Epoxy Adhesive Markets
  • Concrete Reinforcing
  • Bio-Based Epoxy Adhesives for select markets
Q. Please share an interesting fact about your company not many people may be aware of.
A. Fielco is a custom formulator! Fielco formulates and manufactures our own epoxy adhesive systems. Our customers can speak directly to a chemist for product selection or even a custom adhesive system.

Q. What is the greatest value your company gets from its membership in CAFA.
A. The CAFA Convention, and the Trade Show portion in particular, allows Fielco to speak to and see many customers at one location as well as letting other abrasive convertors know about Fielco’s adhesives and how we may be able to assist them.

]]> Thu, 19 Nov 2020 16:43:06 GMT CAFA Member Benefit Spotlight - News Link https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=361364 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=361364 It’s no secret. Among all the reasons companies join trade associations, the most important one is to receive VALUE. Value from the networking provided for members. Value from the services offered to companies and their employees. Value from discovering new opportunities and deep discounts.

This months CAFA Member Spotlight is on News Link. News Link is a full-service communication company. From employee communication to marketing content, News Link helps organizations achieve their communication goals.

News Link’s photo and video journalists create content by traveling to your location to conduct interviews. Their team of editors and designers ensure each product is high quality, unique and creatively designed. Once approved, your content is distributed via print, web, social media and/or video.

Established in 1985, News Link provides communication services to companies and organizations of all sizes, serving a range of industries, including agriculture, food manufacturing, health care, government, transportation and more. News Link helps you strengthen employee communication and build camaraderie while meeting your goals.

To learn more about how you can receive a 10% discount on News Link’s services and help your organization fulfill its communication goals, contact Megan Galeher at megang@cmservices.com.

]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2020 17:10:26 GMT CAFA Website Spotlight - Product Search https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=361357 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=361357 In July of 2020, we announced the launch of the new CAFA website at We hope that you've had time over the last few months to click around & login to the new 'members only' portal. We believe you will find the site more functional, easier to navigate, and a useful source of information about CAFA and its activities.

This month, we'd like to highlight one of the new features of the website - the Product Search functionality. This feature allows each member company to submit the products they offer, and then other members will be able to search the directory by product type. 

In order for this feature to work, each member company needs to login to their member profile to enter their products. Below are detailed instructions on how to complete this process:

How to Add Products to Your Company Profile

  1. If you are the primary contact for your company, login to your member profile by clicking here & entering your username and password. If you are unsure of your username and/or password, contact CAFA Staff at megang@cmservices.com. 
  2. In the Manage Profile section, click on "Edit Bio"
  3. Confirm all contact information is correct.
  4. Scroll down to the "Products" section.
  5. Enter the products your company offers. Make sure to separate each product name with a comma (Example: Product 1, Product 2, Product 3)
  6. Click "Save Changes"

Once you've completed this process, your products will now be searchable! Meaning if someone searches for a product that is listed in your profile, your company will appear in the search results. 

How To Search for Products Sold by Other Companies

  1. Login to your member profile.
  2. Under the Members Only menu item, select "Product Search"
  3. You can search by company name, product name, or country. To obtain the broadest results, input only one or two fields. You are not required to fill in all the fields.
  4. Click "Continue"
  5. Member companies matching your search requirements will appear.

If you have any questions about this new feature, please contact Megan Galeher at megang@cmservices.com.

]]> Thu, 12 Nov 2020 16:38:55 GMT 2020 CAFA Convention Cancelled https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=345633 https://cafa-info.org/members/blog_view.asp?id=1850347&post=345633 Due to COVID-19 concerns, the 2020 CAFA Convention has been cancelled.

CAFA worked out a deal with the Westin La Paloma to allow us to cancel the 2020 Convention and return in the Spring of 2023. If you had registered for the convention, your registration has been cancelled, but you will have to cancel your room reservations at the hotel.

Once your convention registration has been cancelled, you will receive an email receipt showing the credit. For those of you who paid by check or wire transfer, Jim Schnorr, CAFA Treasurer, will work out the details with you. Feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions or concerns.

Thank you for your patience and support over the last few weeks. The CAFA board wishes you success and good health.

]]> Tue, 14 Apr 2020 16:53:26 GMT