You may have heard about a new messaging app called Slack. But what is it, exactly, and how can it help you grow your business and make connections? Read on for some quick explanations on how you can use this new app effectively.
 
What is Slack?
 
In the broadest sense, Slack is a messaging app created specifically for the workplace environment. It's designed for the unique needs of teams and companies and can be used across multiple devices and platforms.
 
Slack is equipped with robust features that allow you to chat not only one-on-one with associates but also in groups. Slack even lets you upload and share files, and it integrates with other apps and services, and you can granularly control almost every setting.
 
 
What are some of the benefits of Slack?
 
Email is great, but for many of us, our in-boxes are flooded constantly, and it can be hard to keep track of threads, remember who is cc’d on what email chain, and know if you have kept up with all the information that is pertinent to you and your business in the emails.
 
Slack was created to help you organize your conversations, create channels based on a topic or group, and direct message associates if the message needs to be private.
 
Basically, Slack provides transparency by allowing users to see all the conversations and messages in one place. This makes it easy for team members to catch up on what has been discussed and follow the conversation without having to search through multiple channels or threads. Slack also offers flexibility by allowing users to customize their notifications, so they only receive the information that is relevant to them.
 
Why is Slack a good platform for the MDNA?
 
There are MDNA members all over the world, with varying interests, machines, and experience. On the MDNA Slack Channel, we have created a General Channel for announcements, upcoming chapter or national events, and announcements about machines for sale.
 
We have also created a Membership channel that is all about MDNA membership, membership perks, and MDNA Public Relations matters.
 
Yet another set of channels is based on hobbies/interests, such as golf or running (we would love to add more shared interest channels in the future), or machine-specific channels, such as Haas Machines.
 
The last category of channels we currently have created is industry related, such as Wanted Machines, and Rigging. We can always add additional channels to support more specific topics that would be helpful to you.
 
Our vision for this platform is that more deals will be made inside the MDNA; relationships will be fostered; and we can boost our productivity and community, all within Slack. Over 50 MDNA members have already joined the channel and we are looking to grow that number significantly. We hope you will make the effort to join the MDNA Slack and will invest in building up the tool so we can all benefit, now and in the future!
 
Click here to download Slack and join the MDNA Channel.
Please reach out to John Stencel at 586.756.4280 or [email protected]
Or Mark Coxon at 502-802-4008 or [email protected] if you need assistance joining.

Krause was installed as the association’s president in April at the organization’s national convention in Tucson, Ariz. He succeeds Craig Ward, who remains on the board as its immediate past president.
 
“It is both an honor and a privilege being selected as the next MDNA president,” Krause told MDNA members in Tucson. “I look forward to building upon the strong foundation that was established back in 1941, while both honoring tradition and embracing our ever-changing industry.”
 
Krause is in sales with FH Machinery, Inc., of Ivyland, Pa. The company specializes in equipment for the fastener industry and the wire forming and processing industry.  He is a native of Philadelphia who graduated from Temple University’s Fox School of Business and joined FH Machinery in 2001. He began his rise through the MDNA leadership ranks a decade later.
 
“At times we’re all competitors, but we’re also all friends,” Krause said of his MDNA colleagues. “This is hard work, but being with people you like and enjoy makes the job easy.”
 
Serving with Krause and Ward in the MDNA board leadership for 2023-25 are Dan Wheeler, first vice president; John Taucher, treasurer; Troy Clark, second vice president; David DiBenedetto, Association of Machinery and Equipment Appraisers president; and Ryan Yoder, Locator Services president.
 
Krause and his wife, Tracy, live with sons Eddie and Evan in his boyhood hometown of Croydon, Pa., a Philadelphia suburb. The Krauses are involved with their sons’ high school soccer team and Ed coaches their travel soccer squad. Eddie and Evan are both musicians, and he and his sons are — appropriately — fans of heavy-metal music. Krause also attends home games of the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles as a season-ticket holder.
 
The MDNA was established to promote the used machinery industry and Krause is the organization’s 47th president. Today the MDNA represents nearly 400 machinery dealers, auctioneers, and appraisers worldwide.

Andrew Kamashian Is New Southern Regional MDNA Chapter Chair
 
Alexandria, Va. – The Southern Regional Chapter of the Machinery Dealers National Association (MDNA) has elected Andrew “Andy” Kamashian, CEA, as its chairman for the 2023-2024 leadership cycle. As chair, Kamashian will work to advance collaboration among chapter members while leading advocacy efforts for the industry. He also will serve on the MDNA’s national board of directors, facilitating communications between the board and chapter membership.
 
Joining Kamashian in the Southern Regional Chapter’s leadership ranks are:

• Vice Chair Tim Harwood, CEA, EDM Systems, Inc. 
  
• Treasurer Carl Davis, The Equipment Hub
  
• Secretary James Walz, Machinemaxx, LLC
  
• Alternate Board Representative and Membership Committee Chair William Culp, CEA, Pearl Equipment Company
  
• Event Coordinator Chair Christi Brown, CEA, EDM Systems, Inc. 
  

 
“Serving in chapter leadership is an honor and a privilege,” said Mark Robinson, Executive Vice President of MDNA. “By electing Kamashian as chair and board representative, chapter members have acknowledged that he has what it takes to effectively lead and to represent fellow chapter members at the national level.”
 
Kamashian is president of Lithia, Fla.-based Southern Fabricating Machinery Sales, Inc., a machinery dealer specializing in used fabrication equipment, plant auctions, appraisals and manufacturing consultation. The company also manages all types of industrial assets and has particular expertise in EDM machinery and waterjet cutting equipment.
 
In his 30-year career, Kamashian has bought, sold and appraised equipment throughout North America.
 
“Though I am the first generation of my family to be involved with the MDNA, I envision a long-term relationship with its many member companies that share a wealth of knowledge about manufacturing and machine tools,” Kamashian said. “There has always been a great deal of collaboration and enthusiasm among MDNA members, buying and selling and reaching out to share knowledge and resources. I want to further this type of partnership in the Southern Regional Chapter.”
 
Kamashian believes that important benefits of MDNA membership include forming connections, partnerships and friendships. “These lead not only to shared knowledge and expertise,” he said, “but also to investing in equipment with fellow members and greater opportunities.”
 
About MDNA: Recognizing the importance and growth of the used metalworking machinery and used capital equipment industry, the Machinery Dealers National Association (MDNA) has established itself for the purpose of furthering the lawful interests of the industry, promoting higher business standards and ethics, and conducting activities in a manner to improve the objectives of the industry. To learn more about the MDNA, please contact [email protected].