Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association

What Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association does

Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association (SRMA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit regional trade association founded in 1981 and headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida, serving manufacturers across a five-county Southwest Florida region (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, and Lee). SRMA's core function is membership-based advocacy, workforce development, networking, and resource aggregation for its manufacturing, business partner, and community partner members. The organization operates as a regional affiliate of the FloridaMakes network — Florida's Manufacturing Extension Partnership — which provides access to statewide programs, no-cost business assessments, performance improvement consulting, and the national MEP network.

SRMA generates revenue primarily through tiered annual membership dues (Manufacturing Basic $195, Standard $295-$595 based on employee count, Elite $895, Premier $1,495; Business Partner tiers with marketing/sponsorship benefits; Community Partner tiers for economic development and educational institutions), plus event fees and program participation. The 70:30 manufacturer-to-business partner ratio is a deliberate scarcity mechanism to preserve member value. Distribution is multichannel: direct membership sales, monthly in-person events (plant tours, seminars, panel discussions), an online community platform, a weekly e-newsletter, LinkedIn, the 'Podcasts with Pavel' series, and a statewide FloridaMakes webinar calendar. Strategic partnerships extend value beyond direct products — Shinka Management (Lean Japan Tour), Orion Talent (DOD SkillBridge / HireSkills veteran hiring program), and various Gold Business Partners (PNC, Suncoast Credit Union, First Horizon, CLA) provide members with workforce, financial, and educational services.

SRMA's product portfolio spans tiered membership programs, the Connex Florida supply chain database, workforce development programs (Discover Manufacturing, Adopt-A-School, Student Tours, Manufacturing Month), the Industry Appreciation Awards, the Manufacturer of the Year Award (in partnership with Lee County / Horizon Council), cybersecurity education (CMMC/DFARS compliance), Lean Six Sigma training, and the Florida Manufacturing Career Center. Advocacy is delivered through the Florida Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advocacy Council and annual Florida Manufacturing Days in Tallahassee. The organization is governed by a board of directors and led by Executive Director Phil Wright-Grant (as of 2026), with Rob Harris having transitioned to lead SAMA. SRMA is privately held by its membership with no external investment, no parent company, and no subsidiaries.

Name

Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association

Legal name

Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association

Website

https://srma.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit trade association serving manufacturers across five counties in Southwest Florida through tiered memberships, advocacy, workforce development, networking events, and FloridaMakes network resources.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Myers

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. Manufacturing Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from manufacturing companies based on tier level (Basic $195, Standard $295-$595, Elite $895, Premier $1,495) and employee count. Membership belongs to the company, allowing any staff member to attend events. Based on anniversary year with payment plans available.
2. Business Partner Membership Dues: Annual dues from non-manufacturing service providers (banks, insurance, IT, consultants) at 4 tier levels with varying marketing and sponsorship opportunities. Subject to 70:30 ratio requirement of manufacturers to business partners.
3. Community Partner Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from community organizations including economic development departments, educational institutions, workforce programs, grant funders, chambers, and non-profit business resources.
4. Event Fees: Revenue from event registration, including standard events with discounts for tier members and special events like the Lean Japan Tour. Plant tour sponsorships provide additional event-related revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SRMA is a 501(c)(6) regional trade association that sells tiered memberships and delivers advocacy, workforce development, networking, and operational support services to manufacturers in Southwest Florida's 5-county region. Its core offerings include three membership programs (Manufacturing, Business Partner, Community Partner), recurring educational events and plant tours, workforce pipeline programs, state-level legislative advocacy, and access to FloridaMakes advisory services such as supply chain, cybersecurity, and continuous improvement consulting.

Product overview

The Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association (SRMA) is a 501(c)(6) membership-based organization serving manufacturers in Southwest Florida's 5-county region (Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee). SRMA operates as a platform-plus-services model, offering tiered membership programs (Manufacturing, Business Partner, Community Partner) alongside a portfolio of workforce development, advocacy, and operational support services. Core offerings include the Connex Florida Supply Chain Database for supplier/buyer connections, the Shinka Management Lean Japan Tour for operational excellence training, Employee Stock Ownership Plan seminars, and comprehensive workforce initiatives including the Adopt-A-School Program, Student Tours, and the Veteran Advantage hiring program. SRMA also provides access to cybersecurity certification support (CMMC/DFARS), Continuous Improvement services through Lean Six Sigma training, and facilitates networking through events like the Industry Appreciation Awards and Manufacturing Month. All services are delivered through SRMA's partnership with the FloridaMakes network, which extends reach across the entire state of Florida.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Manufacturing Membership Tiered membership program for manufacturing companies with physical facilities in the 5-county SWFL region, offering networking, training, advocacy, and workforce development support. Includes website listing, online community access, recognition pack, FloridaMakes advisor access, Connex supply chain database access, event attendance, and tiered sponsorship and committee opportunities.
• Business Partner Membership Membership program for non-manufacturing service providers (banks, insurance, IT, consultants) offering four tiers of marketing and sponsorship opportunities. Subject to a 70:30 ratio requirement of manufacturers to business partners, with a potential waiting list.
• Community Partner Membership Membership for economic development organizations, educational institutions, workforce programs, grant funders, chambers, and non-profit business resources that support manufacturers in the 5-county SWFL region. Includes reciprocal sharing of offerings and events with manufacturing members.
• Connex Florida Supply Chain Database Supply chain network database that helps Florida manufacturers connect with each other and be discovered by buyers and suppliers, increasing business opportunities across the state. Accessible through SRMA's FloridaMakes partnership.
• Shinka Management Lean Japan Tour Week-long immersive international experience in Japanese lean manufacturing principles and the Toyota Production System, including factory visits, seminars, and discussions with Japanese industry leaders. Offered to SRMA members in collaboration with SAMA.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Seminar Educational seminar covering ESOP structure, benefits for owners and employees, valuations, tax advantages, and implementation considerations for manufacturing companies. Features expert panelists from PNC Bank and BDO Capital Advisors.
• Workforce Development Programs Comprehensive workforce initiatives including Discover Manufacturing, Career Pathways, Skills Gap Collaboration, and training funding programs designed to connect manufacturers with educators, students, and workforce funding sources across the 5-county region.
• Bring the Veteran Advantage to Your Workplace Program Partnership with Orion Talent providing Florida manufacturers access to transitioning servicemembers through the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program. Includes industry certification training (CMfgA or CPT) and transition assistance, creating a pipeline of credentialed workers for registered apprenticeships at no cost to employers.
• Manufacturing Assessment Services Free business assessments and evaluations for SRMA members, including performance assessment, cybersecurity education, and access to discounted consulting services delivered through the FloridaMakes network.
• Cybersecurity Services Cybersecurity education and certificate programs helping manufacturers meet Department of Defense requirements, including CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) and DFARS 252.204.7021 compliance support.
• Continuous Improvement Services Lean Six Sigma training and consulting services including Yellow Belt certification, helping manufacturers improve processes, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement capabilities.
• Industry Appreciation Awards Program Annual awards program recognizing manufacturing excellence in Southwest Florida, including the Lee County/Horizon Council Manufacturer of the Year (MOTY) Award. Companies participating in the evaluation process receive benchmarking and peer feedback.

Quantifiable outcome

• Manufacturing average annual wage exceeds all-industries average by $10,835 (+17.0%)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.

• MITER BrandsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 March 2026Chris Curwood, plant manager at MITER Brands' Fort Myers facility with over 1,200 employees, appointed to SRMA board for a two-year term. Reflects engagement by large manufacturers in regional industry groups amid labor shortages and skilled worker demand.
• Sarasota-Manatee Manufacturers Association (SAMA)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 January 2023SAMA and SRMA collaborate on advocacy efforts in Tallahassee, meeting with state legislators jointly during Florida Manufacturing Days. They also partner on the Shinka Management Lean Japan Tour program.
• FloridaMakescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFloridaMakes is the state's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and SRMA is part of the FloridaMakes network. This partnership provides SRMA members with access to statewide programs, grants, no-cost business assessments, performance improvement consulting, and connections to the national MEP network. FloridaMakes offers discounted service rates to SRMA members.
• Shinka ManagementmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShinka Management organizes the Lean Japan Tour, a week-long immersive experience in Japanese lean manufacturing principles and the Toyota Production System. SRMA collaborates with SAMA (Sarasota-Manatee Manufacturers Association) to offer this program to members, including factory visits, seminars, and discussions with Japanese industry leaders.
• Orion TalentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrion Talent partners with FloridaMakes Network to provide Florida manufacturers access to transitioning servicemembers through the DOD SkillBridge Program. The HireSkills program combines industry certification training and transition assistance, providing a pipeline of credentialed workers (CMfgA or CPT) for registered apprenticeships.
• Lee County / Horizon CouncilmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSRMA has partnered with Lee County and the Horizon Council to spearhead the 2025 Industry Appreciation Awards, Manufacturer of the Year Award. SRMA facilitates the application and evaluation process, bringing additional value to participating manufacturers through benchmarking and peer feedback.
• Florida Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advocacy CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSRMA participates in the statewide Advocacy Council, which coordinates manufacturing advocacy efforts across Florida. The Council develops legislative priorities and organizes annual Florida Manufacturing Days in Tallahassee.
• Department of Defense SkillBridge ProgrammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDOD SkillBridge program enables servicemembers to transition to manufacturing careers with Florida manufacturers. Orion Talent administers the HireSkills program within this framework, providing pre-transition training and credentialing.
• University of Florida Innovation Station Sarasota CountyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership connecting engineering students with Safran's manufacturing operations. While this specific partnership involves Safran and UF, SRMA promotes similar workforce development collaborations through its UF & Safran initiative page.
• Elevate by PrincipalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrincipal Financial partnership providing SRMA members with free access to Elevate platform offering aggregated purchasing power (4000+ vendors), business growth insights, strategic partners for technology/marketing/hiring, and business valuation tools.
• PNC BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPNC Bank provides ESOP specialist expertise for SRMA's Employee Stock Ownership Plan Seminar events. Tom Clarke serves as ESOP Specialist panelist, and PNC is a Gold Business Partner member.
• BDO Capital AdvisorsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBDO Capital Advisors provides VP Adnan Muminovic as panelist for SRMA's ESOP Seminar events, offering expertise on ESOP valuations and capital advisory services.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Manufacturers (NAM): Largest US manufacturing trade association providing federal advocacy, industry research, and the NAMM member network; competes for large-enterprise membership dues and competes for mindshare on policy priorities alongside regional players like SRMA.
• Florida Chamber of Commerce: Statewide business advocacy organization that includes manufacturing in its portfolio; broader remit than SRMA but competes for advocacy relevance and large-firm dues across Florida.

Direct peers

• Manufacturers Association of Central Florida (MACF): Central Florida regional manufacturing trade association with overlapping FloridaMakes affiliation and tiered membership similar to SRMA; serves Orlando-area manufacturers with workforce and advocacy initiatives.
• FloridaMakes: Statewide Manufacturing Extension Partnership network and SRMA's primary channel partner; delivers business assessments, cybersecurity/CMMC, and continuous improvement services to manufacturers across all Florida regions including SRMA's territory.
• Tampa Bay Manufacturing Leadership Council: Regional manufacturing association for the Tampa Bay area, also part of the FloridaMakes network; offers similar advocacy, workforce, and networking programming aimed at small and mid-market manufacturers.
• Regional Manufacturers Association of Northwest Florida: Panhandle regional manufacturing association operating with a similar FloridaMakes-affiliated model; offers a useful benchmark for membership scale, event cadence, and workforce-program design from a different Florida geography.
• Sarasota-Manatee Manufacturers Association (SAMA): Sister regional manufacturing association in adjacent Southwest Florida territory; shares staff (Rob Harris now leads SAMA) and collaborates with SRMA on Tallahassee advocacy and the Lean Japan Tour. Most directly comparable peer in geography, mission, and tiered membership structure.
• First Coast Manufacturers Association (FCMA): Regional manufacturing trade association serving Northeast Florida (Jacksonville area); comparable tiered membership model, workforce and advocacy programming, and FloridaMakes affiliation, competing for member mindshare and sponsor revenue in the state.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/swflmfg
• Facebookfacebook.com/swflmfg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association