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First-of-its-kind project in Minnesota provides insight for all manufacturers 

MINNEAPOLIS (January 16, 2009)—RJF Agencies will join Enterprise Minnesota, LarsonAllen, Bremer Bank, and Minnesota State Colleges & Universities on Feb. 2 to reveal the results of the State of Manufacturing poll, the largest and most comprehensive survey of Minnesota manufacturing executives ever conducted. The results will be released at a kick-off event held at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, featuring a presentation and analysis of findings by the pollster, Rob Autry of Public Opinion Strategies in Alexandria, Va.

Among other issues, Autry will discuss:

• How Minnesota manufacturers are dealing with the current economic slowdown.
• Which sectors are showing vulnerability and which are showing resilience.
• Predictions for 2009 profitability.
• What manufacturers are seeking from the government.

RJF Agencies’ manufacturing practice group joined forces in 2008 with Enterprise Minnesota, a non-profit business consulting organization, to develop a research survey of manufacturers through Minnesota. The project aim was to benchmark and report on the standing of manufacturing—and manufacturers—in Minnesota through data gathered from 400 company interviews and seven focus groups.

“The results of this project support what RJF has known for years—Minnesota’s manufacturing sector is vibrant, innovation-driven, and continually optimistic, even in uncertain economic times,” said Tom Ziemann, RJF’s manufacturing practice leader. “But they also offer valuable insight into the unique needs of these companies to business leaders, policy makers and other stakeholders. The importance of manufacturers to the overall health of Minnesota, the state-wide economy, and the local economies that support these businesses should not be underestimated, and this project demonstrates that.”

Ziemann added that RJF Agencies has been working with Enterprise Minnesota for several years, and considers it a valuable resource for manufacturers. This partnership, he said, was a natural fit for RJF due to both organizations’ dedication to supporting the needs of manufacturers.

Read more about the State of Manufacturing Survey here.

About RJF Agencies
Founded in 1986, RJF Agencies is one of the “Top 100 Brokers of U.S. Business” according to Business Insurance magazine. Its values-driven approach facilitates growth and strengthens companies by reducing the cost of risk for more than 5,000 corporate clients through five offices in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Its services include employee benefits, commercial insurance, alternative risk programs, loss prevention, claim management, human resource consulting, health management and financial services. More information is at www.rjfagencies.com.