Management

Transactional or strategic?

06/01/2016

Author:

We’re getting lots of random requests for machined parts, and that segment of our business remains busy. One recent example was a business acquaintance of mine who contacted our shop requesting machining work. I had not seen him in a while and wasn’t up to date with his professional activities, but his parts request made it clear he was still freelancing some adventurous projects.

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Above and beyond

06/01/2016

Author:

Kip Hanson

Value-added services shorten lead times and increase sales opportunities for parts manufacturers. The decision to bring traditionally outsourced services in-house can be an expensive and scary proposition—one with the potential to either transform a company or send it into bankruptcy. Yet that’s exactly what many manufacturing companies do, and often they are pleased with the results. That proved true for the four companies profiled in the following pages.

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Conference offers ‘Global View’ of cutting tool industry

The 2016 World Cutting Tool Conference offered informative, entertaining speakers and social events that provided ample opportunities to meet with and learn from colleagues from around the world.

Methods Machine Tools appoints new chief

Methods Machine Tools Inc., Sudbury, Mass., recently announced the appointment of Jerry Rex as Chief Operating Officer of all Methods Machine Tools operations, effective May 3. Rex, a manufacturing industry veteran with more than 25 years of management experience, complements Methods’ strategic plans for future growth, according to a Methods Machine Tools news release.

Dorner acquiring Geppert-Band

Dorner Holding Corp., the parent company of Dorner Mfg. Corp., Hartland, Wis., on May 12 announced the acquisition of Jülich, Germany-based Geppert-Band, a leading European manufacturer of belt and modular belt conveyors.

Cheryl Bush awarded Women in Manufacturing STEP Award

Cheryl Bush, Director of Global Strategic Pricing at Kennametal Inc., Latrobe, Penn., recently received honors at the 4th Women in Manufacturing STEP (Science, Technology, Engineering and Production) Awards, which is presented by The Manufacturing Institute.

Mahr Federal names new sales director

Mahr Federal, Providence, R.I., recently named Stuart Manser Director of Sales, Precision Gages for North America. , Manser will be responsible for planning and directing the sales team for the Precision Gage product line, including defining sales territory and hiring sales staff.

Okuma adds two new industry experts

Okuma America Corp., Charlotte, N.C., recently added two industry experts to its Sales and Product Specialist Teams. With more than 50 years of combined experience in the CNC machine tool industry, Brian Sides and Tom O'Toole will be responsible for supporting regional sales teams and Okuma distribution partners.

GF Machining Solutions to acquire Microlution

GF Machining Solutions, , will purchase micromanufacturing machine builder Microlution Inc., Chicago, according to a comany news release issued May 11. Described as a specialist of micro-machining based on milling and laser technologies, Microlution was founded in 2005 and reportedly generated $10 million in 2015 with a workforce of 30 employees.

ITAMCO discusses Industrial Internet of Things

Joel Neidig, the business development and technology manager at Indiana Technology and Manufacturing Companies (ITAMCO), Plymouth, Ind., was among several guest speakers selected to present at the third innovation forum of "Building Tomorrow's World," which was part of Autodesk University 2015 in Las Vegas.