Membership Benefits

How does ICPA Help Your Business?

ICPA offers the resources you need to increase the profitability and value of your company.

ICPA membership saves TIME and helps your company's BOTTOM LINE by providing:

• Business Management Resources
• Government and Regulatory Affairs Monitoring and Assistance
• Education and Networking

Business Management Resources

ICPA Web Site
WWW.ICPA-HQ.ORG is the interactive source for you and your customers. ICPA actively promotes the site to your customers and helps them find YOU! Customers can search for suppliers by product type or by state and manufacturers can locate a host of key industry suppliers. ICPA manufacturers feature company and product information in the special Product Showroom, which allows each member to have their own "mini" web page. ICPA "Members Only" section allows companies immediate access to information on virtually any type of technical or manufacturing issue and information on complex regulatory issues.

ICPA Quality Control/Management Manual
Your company's profitability and future depends on producing the highest quality products on a consistent basis. ICPA members receive a resource manual developed by industry experts to start or improve your in-house QC program – one for gel coated products and one for solid surface production.

Yearly Cost of Doing Business Survey
ICPA offers you the best financial benchmarking tool available anywhere, to evaluate your business's performance and compare it to others by size, region and profitability. All aspects of running a cast polymer operation including: size of facility, use of technology, employee benefits and staff levels, and revenues by product or service category are covered, moreover, it also tracks operating expenses such as insurance, salaries and wages, rent, and employee benefits and important financial ratios measuring solvency, liquidity, asset management and productivity, equity investment and long-term debt.

As an ICPA member you also receive a free Company Performance Report – a personalized financial analysis allowing you to see where your company's strengths and weaknesses are, and the specific steps they can take to improve profitability.

ICPA Guide to Financial Success
ICPA also arms you with a customized financial education tool designed to help you analyze and manage your financial operations more effectively, develop your business plan, and much more.

The Business Owner
Need timely, concise business planning and financial management advice? Join ICPA and you will receive this expert bimonthly digest focusing on topics of critical importance to business owners/operators that provides valuable information on important topics such as Ways to Increase Cash Flow, Ways to Save and Defer Taxes, How to Increase Your Retirement Money, and How to Finance Your Business. Every issue saves you time on researching complex tax/business planning strategies and gives you specific ideas on how to make more money and keep it.

Information Hotline
In addition to ACMA's technical hotline, ICPA members have access to ICPA's Automated fax-on-demand Information Hotline offering the latest information on current programs and services. Members can select from a menu of topics for quick answers to your general questions.

Government and Regulatory Affairs

• Fire Testing Program Report (Flame Spread)
• Emissions Models for the Reinforced Plastics Industries
• OSHA Process Safety Management Standard
• OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (ICPA Hazard Communication Standard Manual, and a sample program that can be easily customized for your company.)
• How to Comply with the OSHA Methylene Chloride Standard
• Guidance on Completing Form R (Complying With SARA, Title III, Section 313)
• Cast Polymer Products and the Building Codes

ICPA represents the industry's interests on the ANSI Z-124 Committee, the committee responsible for developing the standards for plastic plumbing fixtures. ICPA is also a member of each of the major plumbing code groups, and maintains a close working relationship with BOCA, IAPMO, SBCCI and ICBO. ICPA represents the industry's interests before the NFPA and IFCI, the organizations that develop the fire codes which are written into the model building codes.

ICPA helps you make sense of complicated regulatory requirements and it makes sure the industry voice is heard, thanks to the visible role of ACMA on legislative and regulatory issues at the state and federal level.

Education and Networking

POLYCON – The cast polymer industry’s leading conference and tradeshow, POLYCON features three days of educational sessions focusing on the most cutting-edge industry topics. An extensive exhibit hall showcases the latest in cast polymer manufacturing tools, equipment and services. POLYCON fosters valuable and critical business connections that keep our members coming back year after year. ICPA members receive a discounted registration fee.

COMPOSITES – ACMA’s annual conference and tradeshow features over 200 educational sessions, 250 exhibitors and over 4,500 attendees, offering superior networking opportunities! ICPA members receive a discounted registration fee.

Publications library – ICPA members have access to a dynamic library of publications hand-picked by industry experts. Now with more than 35 educational guides, manuals, cd-roms and videos to choose from – all available to ICPA members at significantly discounted prices – there is truly something to fit your every need. ICPA members enjoy technical resources such as the Controlled Spraying Handbook and also receive business guidance through publications such as The Business Owner's Guide to Financial Success. ICPA members receive access to some of these resources for free, and some are available at a discounted rate.

Certification – The Certified Composites Technician - Cast Polymer (CCT-CP) program was created in response to the industry’s need for uniform technical training. Having proven to dramatically improve shop efficiency, decrease shop waste and enhance company morale, the program has grown rapidly in just its first year. Many ICPA member companies have adopted the CCT-CP program as their own in-house training program. ICPA members may sign up for the certification program at a discounted rate.

Cast Polymer Connection Magazine, ICPA Express, CM Magazine – Included in the ICPA membership are ICPA’s monthly magazine, Cast Polymer Connection, ICPA’s e-newsletter, ICPA Express, and now ACMA’s monthly magazine, Composites Manufacturing. Through these valuable resources ICPA members are never at a loss for the latest industry and association news.

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