CONNECTION

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I just looked at the article I wrote back in April for that edition of our newsletter.  I said that we

were having one of the most amazing years in the history of our company.  I can say today

without reservation that this fiscal year which ended 9/30/17 is THE best year ever in the

history of M. Davis.  It would take pages and pages to list all of the accomplishments of our

Team this year.  Recently we put out a one page summary of the most important things we did

this year.  I am so proud we were able to make a 25% match to our 401(k) and also reinvest in

the company to insure that we're in the best position moving forward to be competitive on

projects.  It would be so easy to sit back and say, "We're good", but I know better.  We have to

continually strive for improvement.  You can bet that our competition isn't sitting back and

saying that they did good enough for this year.  With that being said, we recently invested in

some technology in the form of several software packages so that we can use computers to

help us out in the field.  Some day I hope that paperwork out in the field and in the shop will be

replaced by tablets or workstations with 3D models and all of the information on what's being

worked on so that information is more readily available in the field.  While we made many

investments last year, we need to continue to look forward to see what tools and equipment is

out there and evaluate what's available, what's being developed and what our needs are.  Also

looking forward, I'm excited to see business conditions continue to be strong.  The challenge is

trying to juggle it all, but that's a good problem to have in my opinion!  The addition of the VTI

 business is helping us to explore manufacturing with existing customers as well as some new

ones including the United States Navy.  I think the decision to purchase VTI was a good one and

really compliments our existing panel shop.  Last but not least, we had a very good safety year

although it can always be better.  Awareness of what's going on around us out on the job and

staying safe off the job is as important as ever.  Thanks to everyone for all you do and let's

continue to work with M. Davis Quality and M. Davis Safety each and every day. 

Fiscal Year 2017 Ends on a High NoteBy Peggy Del Fabbro, CEO

Above is Jeremiah Wilson, Mike Fritz, Liam Flanagan & Bob Mayle

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Customer Testimonial from NuStar Energy

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National Apprenticeship Week is coming soon! Great! Wait...whatis National Apprenticeship Week? In 2015, President Barack Obama put forth a Presidential Proclamation for National Apprenticeship Week to be celebrated by Congress, State and local governments, educational institutions, industry and labor leaders and allAmericans to support apprenticeship programs in the USA and raiseawareness of their contributions to this country.

What does this mean to M. Davis? Well, if you are new to M. Davis you may not know that we have over NINETY Team Members currently enrolled in a State of DE apprenticeship program. We appreciate our apprentices who head to school two nights a week after their workday in order to complete their studies and earn their Journeyman's papers. Their wages can increase as they learn and graduate! Apprenticeships foster the skills to get higher wage jobsand without the knowledge to adapt to new machinery, system, technology and techniques, the American worker could fall behind. These programs help people upgrade their skills and keep pace with the demands of the 21st century. THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR APPRENTICES!

APPRENTICESHIP WEEK IS COMING

National Apprenticeship Week

Nov. 13 - 19

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By John Gooden

SKILLED TRADES ALWAYS NEEDED

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WORKFORCE NEWS

I suspect that everyone knows by now that there is a shortage of skilled trades people in the country and it is getting worse. Fortunately, we saw the shortage coming many years ago and have put different programs in place to attract and train our future workforce. These programs have helped but they are not enough. The good news is that we are getting some help nationally with the discussion transforming into "College or Career-Ready" which is a bigchange from college being the "only answer". Part of the help that is coming with the college or career discussion are two initiatives that we participate in: National Manufacturing Day which is October 6th each year and NationalApprenticeship Week (Nov. 13 to 19, 2017). Both of these programs are designed to attract people into the trades. National Manufacturing Day (which M. Davis has stretched into a week of celebration by hosting student shop tours) encourages companies like ours to open their businesses to surrounding communities as a way to educate people about manufacturing and career opportunities that exist in our world. National Apprenticeship Week has a similar goal but also encompasses a celebration for those who enrolled in an apprenticeship program. M. Davis will be hosting multiple tours of our fabrication shops throughout both weeks for local schools as well as paying visits to all of our apprentices in Night School. Our goal during these events is to clearly communicate the opportunities in the trades as well as change people's perception of what it means to work in our industry. There are over 3,000 events like ours happening across the nation in 2017 to help promote the Trades. Please help us and keep spreading the word about what it means to work in the trades and the opportunities that come with learning a trade.

follow our updates and events on our Facebook Page! @MDavisSonsInc

article

WILMINGTON JOB CORPS VISITS THE M. DAVIS HADCO

SHOP!

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DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know that you have access to an entire Wellness Library through the M. Davis Building Healthy Lives Wellness Program? Simply sign on or create your account online in MYVIVERAE.COM

It's free and easy!

From coping with stress to eating healthy in a hurry, you can find news and information through the MYVIVERAE.COM site.

WELLNESS NEWS

Pictured above is John Gooden providing a shop tour and information for

participants in the Wilmington Job Corps.

MDavis Executive Committee (L to R) Eric Koelsch, VP

Charles Davis, Chairman Todd Moran, VP Risk Management

John Bonk, VP Operations Peggy Del Fabbro, CEO John Gooden, President

Mike Gilmartin, CFO

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