Virginia Manufacturers Association

What Virginia Manufacturers Association does

The Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) is a non-profit statewide trade association founded in 1922 and headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, that serves as the only statewide body exclusively dedicated to manufacturers and their service-provider allies in the Commonwealth. Its core functions are legislative and regulatory advocacy, workforce development, and member business services. The association operates four core operating arms: the Manufacturing Skills Institute (MSI), which delivers industry-aligned training, safety certifications (ISRT, OSHA 10/30, PSM), LEAN and World Class Manufacturing process improvement, and the AMMORAP registered apprenticeship program producing Commonwealth of Virginia Journeyworker Certificates; the Made in Virginia Program, which provides reshoring, cost optimization, and supply-chain services through partners including the Reshoring Initiative, ERA Group, Spatial Integrated Systems (a Siemens Platinum partner), and the Virginia SBDC; the VMA Political Action Committee (VMA*PAC); and the VMA Legal Institute, which provides regulatory counsel across air, energy, water, and solid waste domains.

VMA monetizes primarily through tiered membership: Manufacturer Membership dues for companies with more than 25 employees are scaled to capital investment and employee headcount per Virginia facility, while Associate Membership for service providers is fixed at $780 per year, and a Small Manufacturing Membership tier exists with contact-based pricing. Secondary revenue streams include event center rentals at the Richmond headquarters across five named spaces (Legacy Member Meeting Hall, MSI Training Lab, Craft Beer Lounge, WiM VA Conference Room, Individual Workstations) at member-vs-non-member rates, fees from signature events (Virginia Manufacturing Gala, Virginia Energy Summit, VEHS Conference, WiM Virginia Leadership Conference, Makers in the Square, WiM Virginia Spring Retreat), training and certification fees through MSI, and likely commissions or referral revenue from partner insurance and 401k programs (Relation Insurance, Bearing Insurance, Blueprint Financial, USI, Insperity). Distribution is direct sales-led through professional staff outreach, with an online MyVMA Portal and the VMAConnections supplier directory serving as the digital engagement surface.

Name

Virginia Manufacturers Association

Legal name

Virginia Manufacturers Association

Website

https://vamanufacturers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1922

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Virginia Manufacturers Association is a non-profit statewide trade association founded in 1922, headquartered in Richmond, VA, that provides legislative advocacy, workforce training through the Manufacturing Skills Institute, and member business services exclusively to Virginia manufacturers and their service-provider allies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

akta.pro primary industry

Occupational Health & Industrial Hygiene (BPAHAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Occupational Health & Employer Testing Laboratories (HLAFAMAK)

Keywords

• Trade association services
• Manufacturing advocacy
• Workforce development
• Registered apprenticeships
• Industry member services

Headquarters

HQ city

Richmond

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Manufacturer Membership Dues: Annual membership dues for manufacturers with more than 25 employees, based on the company's capital investment and the number of employees at each Virginia facility. For small manufacturers, a separate Small Manufacturing Membership option is available.
2. Associate Membership Dues: Annual membership for service providers of manufacturers and affiliate groups. The investment rate for Associate Membership is $780 per year.
3. Event Center Rentals: Revenue from renting the VMA Event Center spaces including the Legacy Member Meeting Hall, MSI Training Lab, Craft Beer Lounge, WiM VA Conference Room, and Individual Workstations. Pricing varies by space and member/non-member rates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Virginia Manufacturers Association is a statewide non-profit trade association that advocates on behalf of Virginia manufacturers through legislative and regulatory representation, workforce development, and member business services. Its core offerings include tiered Manufacturer and Associate Memberships, the Manufacturing Skills Institute (MSI) for training and certifications, the AMMORAP registered apprenticeship program, the Made in Virginia reshoring program, an event center for meetings and conferences, and an array of insurance, 401(k), and supply-chain discount services for members.

Product overview

The Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) operates as a membership-based association offering a comprehensive suite of services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include VMAConnections (supplier sourcing directory), MyVMA Portal (member portal), and the Made in Virginia Program (reshoring and innovation initiative). The Manufacturing Skills Institute (MSI) serves as the workforce development arm, providing training certifications, apprenticeships (including AMMORAP), and safety programs. Additional services include insurance/401k programs through partner providers, the VMA Event Center venue, government relations advocacy, the VMA Political Action Committee, Legal Institute, and award programs including the Virginia Manufacturing Gala and Virginia Manufacturing Cup competition. Signature events include the Virginia Energy Summit, WiM Virginia Leadership Conference, and Virginia Environmental Health & Safety Conference. The organization does not appear to offer a software product with APIs or technical integrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VMA Awards: Programs recognizing leadership and excellence including WiM Woman of the Year, VMAPAC Legislative Awards, MSI Chairman's Safety Award, MSI Fellows Award, and VMA Frank Armstrong III Service Award.
• VMA Ambassador Program
• Industry's Advocate

Products and services

• Manufacturer Membership Annual membership for Virginia manufacturers with more than 25 employees, scaled by company capital investment and facility headcount. Provides access to legislative advocacy, workforce development, business services, and networking.
• Small Manufacturing Membership

Quantifiable outcome

• $3,000 in training and credentialing covered per AMMORAP participant
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Blue4 InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026Global leader in evidence-based leadership development providing validated diagnostic tools (Blue4 GPI, Blue4 360, myTeamRadar) and customized training programs for VMA members through MSI.
• Virginia Small Business Development Center (Virginia SBDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 January 2026Public sector partner for the Made in Virginia Program providing no-cost expert business advising including market intelligence, capital access, innovation support, and business planning services.
• Manufacturing Skills Institute (MSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSI is the workforce partner of VMA, providing industry-aligned training and certifications for careers in advanced manufacturing. MSI develops employer-driven certifications, offers assessments, and delivers training through on-the-job, classroom, and online formats.
• Reshoring InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate sector partner for the Made in Virginia Program providing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and Import Substitution Program (ISP) assessment tools.
• ERA GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCost optimization and expert-led business consultancy partner for the Made in Virginia Program.
• Spatial Integrated Systems (SIS)coreTechnology or IntegrationSiemens Platinum Sell and Service Expert Software Partner providing Siemens-powered digital tools for the Made in Virginia Program.
• Community College Workforce Alliance (CCWA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSI Academic Partner authorized to deliver nationally recognized MSI certifications (MT1, PharmaMT, Lean Practitioner) to manufacturers and job seekers in the Greater Richmond Region.
• Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublic sector partner providing international trade grant programs and export assistance services to VMA members.
• Relation Insurance GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance partner providing Group Benefits & Commercial Coverage and Personal Home, Auto & More for VMA members.
• Bearing InsuranceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance partner providing member benefits programs for VMA members.
• Blueprint FinancialminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor401K Program partner for VMA members providing retirement planning solutions.
• USI Insurance ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRisk & Insurance Solutions provider for VMA members.
• InsperityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party HR solution partner providing human resources services to VMA members.
• Crystal Clean Environmental ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWaste management partner providing environmental services to VMA members.
• CameraMaticsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAI vehicle operations platform providing fleet safety and security solutions to VMA members.
• Aegis HedgingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommodity hedging partner providing price risk management solutions to VMA members.
• Virginia Chemistry CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory committee focused on improving public understanding of societal and economic benefits of modern chemistry.
• Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Virginia ChapterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState affiliate of Women in Manufacturing dedicated to supporting, promoting, and inspiring women to pursue careers in manufacturing.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC): Combined state chamber and manufacturers association in Wisconsin. Comparable to VMA in serving as the unified voice of in-state manufacturers on policy and workforce issues.
• Georgia Manufacturing Alliance: Georgia-based manufacturing membership organization delivering events, advocacy, and workforce connections. Similar event- and community-driven engagement to VMA's signature events model.
• Ohio Manufacturers' Association: Ohio's statewide manufacturing trade association providing government relations, workforce programs, and member benefits. Directly analogous to VMA in single-state scope and service mix.
• California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA): State-level manufacturing trade association offering advocacy, workforce, and member services in California. Closely mirrors VMA's statewide-exclusive membership, advocacy, and event-based engagement model.
• Michigan Manufacturers Association: Michigan's statewide manufacturing trade association providing advocacy, training, and member benefits. Directly comparable to VMA's structure and core offerings.
• North Carolina Manufacturers Alliance: State-level trade group advocating for North Carolina manufacturers with policy, workforce, and networking programs. Comparable member-centric, advocacy-led model to VMA.
• Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association: Statewide association representing Pennsylvania manufacturers with legislative advocacy and member services. Highly comparable in scope and operating model to VMA.
• Illinois Manufacturers' Association: Statewide trade association for Illinois manufacturers with advocacy, workforce, and member services. Mirrors VMA's mission and single-state operating model.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Manufacturers (NAM): The largest U.S. manufacturing trade association operating nationally. Comparable to VMA in advocacy, workforce, and member-services model, but at a national rather than Virginia-only scale.

Others

• Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP): NIST-led national network of manufacturing extension centers (including Virginia's GENEDGE) providing workforce, technology, and competitiveness services to U.S. manufacturers. Complementary to VMA rather than directly competing, but overlaps on workforce and reshoring programming.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/va-manufacturers-association
• Xx.com/MFGmakesVA
• Facebookfacebook.com/VAmanufacturers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Virginia Manufacturers Association