Tool and Die Shops Trade Associations

Association for Advancing Automation (A3)

North America’s largest automation trade association for robotics, machine vision, motion control and AI; runs the Automate Show and provides standards, training and advocacy for manufacturers and tool & die shops.

https://www.automate.org Membership: 1,300

American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA)

Sets U.S. and international gearing standards, training and networking for firms that build gear tooling and power‑transmission components used by precision shops.

https://www.agma.org Membership: 495

American Mold Builders Association (AMBA)

The leading U.S. trade association for mold manufacturers, offering benchmarking, workforce programs, peer groups and advocacy tailored to mold, tool and die shops.

https://amba.org Membership: 270

Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME)

Community of lean/continuous‑improvement leaders providing plant tours, conferences, and assessment tools that help tool & die shops boost operational excellence.

https://www.ame.org Membership: 4,000

Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT)

Represents U.S. manufacturing technology providers (machine tools, automation); publishes industry data, runs IMTS, and connects shops with equipment and insights.

https://www.amtonline.org Membership: 650

Canadian Tooling & Machining Association (CTMA)

National association for Canada’s tooling and precision machining sector; provides advocacy, networking, training and a cross‑Canada member directory.

https://www.ctma.com Membership: 160

CEFAMOL – Associação Nacional da Indústria de Moldes

Portugal’s national association for the mould‑making industry, representing most of the country’s mold producers and promoting export, training and sector data.

https://www.cefamol.pt Membership: 170

China Die & Mould Industry Association (CDMIA)

China’s nationwide die & mold industry association; organizes the DMC trade fair and connects mold and die manufacturers, suppliers and institutes across China.

http://www.cdmia.com.cn Membership: 1,250

Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International (FMA)

Metal forming and fabricating association known for FABTECH; offers training, networking and resources useful to stamping and die shops.

https://www.fmamfg.org Membership: 2,500

Forging Industry Association (FIA)

North America’s forging trade association; provides technical resources, benchmarking and advocacy for forgers and die suppliers supporting impression‑die work.

https://www.forging.org Membership: 230

International Special Tooling & Machining Association (ISTMA)

Global federation of national tooling & machining associations; its 22 member associations represent 8,000+ companies in tooling, dies and precision machining.

https://www.istma.org Membership: 22

Japan Die & Mold Industry Association (JaDMA)

Japan’s national die & mold association offering technology exchange, training and a searchable directory of member toolmakers.

https://www.jdmia.or.jp/english/ Membership: 421

National Tooling & Machining Association (NTMA)

U.S. association for precision custom manufacturers and tool & die shops; provides advocacy, chapters, training and member benchmarking.

https://ntma.org Membership: 1,200

North American Die Casting Association (NADCA)

Represents the die casting industry across North America; delivers technical education, networking and OEM outreach for die casters and suppliers.

https://www.diecasting.org Membership: 750

Precision Machined Products Association (PMPA)

Trade association for precision machining companies; offers economic reports, technical listservs, policy updates and events supporting contract machine shops.

https://www.pmpa.org Membership: 400

Precision Metalforming Association (PMA)

North American metalforming trade association for stamping, fabricating and roll‑forming companies; provides advocacy, training and networking.

https://www.pma.org Membership: 900

SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineers)

Professional society supporting manufacturing engineers and technologists; chapters, certifications and Tooling U‑SME training help shops build workforce skills.

https://www.sme.org Membership: 15,000

Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE)

Global society for plastics professionals; technical divisions and conferences support mold design, molding and plastics tooling expertise.

https://www.4spe.org Membership: 22,500

Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA)

Regional association serving precision manufacturers in the greater Chicago area; provides apprenticeship training, networking and advocacy.

https://www.tmaillinois.org Membership: 1,000

Women in Manufacturing (WiM)

National and global trade association dedicated to supporting, promoting and inspiring women in manufacturing; provides chapters, education and career resources.

https://www.womeninmanufacturing.org Membership: 31,000