MTI Board of Trustees Set Roadmap for Future in Winter Strategic Planning Session

Since its inception in 2004, the Metal Treating Institute’s (MTI) long term strategic plan has played an important role in providing vision and focus to building its high value, growth, strength, and financial health to serve Members. MTI’s growth since 2004 has enabled the Board of Trustees to innovate programs and resources, as well as invest it initiatives, to drive success for member companies. 

This past week, the MTI Board of Trustees (MTI) hosted its Winter Board Meeting that included is bi-annual strategic planning session. In the strategy session, the Board focused on addressing key challenges facing the heat-treating industry while setting a clear roadmap for growth, innovation, and advocacy. The session included small group round table and full board discussions to give everyone a voice in the process. The following are the key components of MTI’s Updated Strategic Plan:

Key Industry Challenges (Next 3-5 Years)

• Rising operational costs (wages, energy, equipment, insurance, and compliance)
• Consolidation and closing of commercial heat treaters
• Workforce shortages and the challenge of attracting the next generation
• Increasing cybersecurity requirements and associated costs
• Lack of succession planning in businesses
• Weak public understanding and reputation of the heat-treating industry
• The impact of alternative energy sources on various sectors
• Cost of new technology and compliance
• Lack of knowledge of basic math and science in the next generation of workers

Strategic Vision & Mission

MTI Mission Statement:
"Success for Our Heat Treating Community."

MTI Vision Statement:
"Driving prosperity through industry innovation and collaboration."

MTI Core Values:

• Members Helping Members
• Sharing Technical Expertise
• Embracing Change & Building on Experience
• Strength in Numbers

Strategic Priorities and Action Steps

Educate & Influence Government and Regulatory Bodies

• Communicate key messages related to core values of MTI to allied groups and regulatory bodies.
• Support a Technical Standards Committee that addresses issues surrounding accreditations, certifications and industry specifications covering all markets.
• Support Regulatory Impact Task Force on business related issues.
• Communicate to Members the key legislative issues impacting heat treat companies through MTI print, digital media channels and “call to action” notices.

Promote Contract Heat Treating to the Captive Market

• Promote existing tools while continuing to innovate additional tools for Members to promote the benefits of outsourcing heat treating or managing in-house heat treating within a captive.
• Promote tools for Members to use to help show the benefits of outsourcing heat treating or managing in-house heat treating within a captive.
• Continue to educate the captive heat treating community on the benefits of outsourcing services to a commercial heat treater.

Recruit, Develop & Engage Younger and Prospective Members

• Maintain YES alumni networking opportunities
• Engage Members within the MTI online community
• Encourage owners to support employees attending meetings
• Encourage Members to participate in the MTI
• Identify and engage affinity groups with common interests
• Continually market MTI’s value to recruit prospective Members

Evaluate and Promote MTI Services

• Communicate the value of MTI & its website to membership
• Continue to evaluate Member needs for services
• Encourage Education Committee to design structured theme activities to further bring Members together for networking at national meetings

Stay Ahead of the Technology Curve

• Continue to explore the next level of learning
• Pursue technology advances that can further connect Members with each other for collaboration and problem solving
• Support a committee of Members from each generation to explore new forms of technology
• Go mobile to ensure Members can connect to each other and MTI resources on-the-go 24/7
• Continuously survey Members on their overall technology needs to look for opportunities to invest in innovation for the Member’s benefit

The 2025 Strategic Planning Session reinforced MTI’s commitment to fostering industry growth through innovation, education, and advocacy. By addressing critical challenges, engaging younger professionals, and leveraging technology, MTI aims to position the MTI Member companies for long-term success in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape.

If you have any question on MTI’s Strategic Plan, feel free to contact Tom Morrison at tom@heattreat.net.