CLEVELAND, November 13-Wayne Boeckman, president and CEO of Quick-Way Stampings Inc. of Euless, TX, has been named the Precision Metalforming Association’s (PMA) 2009 chairman of the board of directors. Boeckman kicked off his one-year term as chairman stressing the importance of expanding opportunities for members through product innovation, exploring new markets and ensuring that the new Administration and Congress make the recovery of the manufacturing sector a priority in 2009.

“Manufacturing companies today are struggling to survive low-priced international competition, rising healthcare costs and uncertain demand from customers impacted by the current economic storm,” says Boeckman. “The situation is particularly tough for our members, mostly small and medium-sized businesses across the United States who have been hit hard by the problems experienced by the auto sector and other major industries that make up the customer base for our industry.

“One of PMA’s most important missions is to help North American metalforming companies have a voice in Washington,” says Boeckman. “To help strengthen our voice, PMA recently forged a new partnership with the National Tooling and Machining Association that combines our federal advocacy programs to better influence the policy debate on our priority issues including healthcare, climate change, trade and labor issues.

“We also will focus on increasing PMA’s membership and introducing new seminars and other training resources to meet the industry’s evolving needs, and expand our global relationship-building opportunities,” says Boeckman.