Michigan Manufacturers' Association

Organization established in 1902 to represent the interest of Michigan's industrial manufacturers in dealings with state government.

From the description of Michigan Manufacturers Association records, 1902-1997. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 144683538

The Association was organized in June 1902. It's office was located at 1121 Ford Building, Detroit (Mich.).

From the description of Roster and By-laws, 1915. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 41536689

Established in 1902, the Michigan Manufacturers Association brought together a group of manufacturers who had separately come to Lansing to testify on behalf of legislation affecting the growth of their businesses. With then no organization to represent their interests, these individuals saw the need to have a single voice when speaking to the different branches of state government. The MMA, from its original membership of 130, flourished and grew, expanding and adapting its programs to coincide with the changing needs of Michigan's manufacturing firms. In 1992, the membership numbered 2700, nearly 90% of the state's industrial employers.

In 1908, the MMA organized employers to establish a system for compensating injured workers. In 1912, based on a proposal authored by the MMA, Michigan's first Workers Compensation Act became law. During the depression, the MMA worked with state and industry officials on passing an unemployment compensation act. And in 1943, the MMA became the first such association in the nation to offer a group insurance program to its members. More recently, the organization has lobbied on behalf of what it believed would be a more equitable system of taxation, one would spur economic growth.

In its role as a watchdog of legislation pending before Congress and before the state legislature, the MMA has published for its members a variety of newsletters and digests. One of these was Legislative Digest (checklist of bills introduced in the Michigan House and Senate); another was Letter from Lansing (a report on issues being considered in Lansing).

From the guide to the Michigan Manufacturers Association records, 1902-1997, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)