WVMAConnections

With its broad membership representing manufacturers across the Mountain State, the West Virginia Manufacturers Association (WVMA) has been providing policy, advocacy, and mobilization leadership for manufacturers at the state and federal levels for over 100 years. In addition to providing members with vital access to experts in areas such as environmental protection and workers compensation, the WVMA facilitates crucial relationships within the various manufacturing sectors.

At a meeting of the Southern Manufacturers Consortium in the spring of 2022, discussions arose regarding the WVMA developing a comprehensive online tool connecting manufacturers with a vast available network of providers. The outcome, newly completed and launched, is the impressive online platform, WVMA Connections.

A Model Provides Inspiration

The vision for this Connections platform was inspired by a resource developed by the Virginia Manufacturers Association. WVMA representatives at the Southern spring consortium saw this resource as a model and imagined the success that the WVMA might have with a similar tool: a single, central hub where member manufacturers could easily connect with a wide range of supply chain, service, and support providers.

Enhancing operations for manufacturers is one of the WVMA’s fundamental goals. WVMA Connections offers its members an expansive network of qualified service providers, enhancing operations by effectively streamlining the process manufacturers use to find the most suitable providers for their specific manufacturing needs.

Knowing who could bring this vision to life was key to a successful endeavor. “We brought in Jamie and his team at Bricks Without Straw at the very beginning of the development process,” says Rebecca McPhail, president of the WVMA. “I gave Jamie the basic concept and a template of the Virginia Manufacturers Association model and asked him to recreate it for the WVMA.”

A Smooth Process

Jamie’s long history of developing projects for the WVMA gave McPhail confidence in his ability to quickly design a robust tool for Association members. The process did not require meetings with Jamie to hash out specifics, which were easily conveyed through emails and phone calls. Development hiccups and glitches were few, as McPhail notes, “The tweaks were minimal, mostly stylistic, and they were all addressed before the launch through discussion with Jamie.

“We did experience a few beneficial surprises,” McPhail adds. “We found them while cleaning up the data on our end before sending information on to Jamie.”

A Much-Needed Platform Launches

WVMA Connections launched in October 2023.  She emphasizes that this new resource connecting West Virginia’s manufacturers with service providers is still growing. “The platform needs additional marketing to maximize its exposure,” McPhail adds candidly.

McPhail has high praise for Jamie and his work throughout the platform development process. “I enjoy working with Jamie and have for the last 10 years! He is responsive and takes his work very seriously.”

Bricks Without Straw is a digital agency and design agency based in South Charleston, WV United States and Ota, Tokyo, Japan.

We offer a range of web design services including: web development, e-commerce services and email marketing. We also offer a range of graphic design services including logo design and exhibition stands.

We love working with clients of all sizes in a range of industry sectors, creating and implementing inspiring and hard working concepts and campaigns for business-business and business-consumer clients.

Valicia Leary

Bricks Without Straw has continued to exceed our expectations with their design work, support and attention to detail. We would highly recommend their services. They have a wonderful team and we enjoy our working relationship with them.

Carol Fulks

Bricks Without Straw has continued to exceed our expectations with their design work, support and attention to detail. We would highly recommend their services. They have a wonderful team and we enjoy our working relationship with them.

Patti Hamliton

Bricks Without Straw is bringing our association into the 21st Century! He brings us ideas and innovation for our web site and other tools of technology that help us enhance our image and our message.

Rebecca McPhail

Bricks Without Straw has continued to exceed our expectations with their design work, support and attention to detail. We would highly recommend their services. They have a wonderful team and we enjoy our working relationship with them.

Bill Raney

Jamie is one of the most committed and energetic professionals we have ever worked with over the years. He seems to work all the time with full 24-7 accessibility and immediate response. Bricks Without Straw has raised our collective confidence for maximizing opportunities in today’s world. We simply could not have done it without them.

Jan Vineyard

The demands and responsibilities to our members mandate that the online presence of our associations and our internet capabilities are reliable and seamless. Add creativity to that mix and one gets the complete package with Jamie Summers-Brown and his staff at Bricks without Straw.