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May 15, 2004 - Volume 61, Issue No. 10
Al Frink nominated Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing
In early April the Bush Administration nominated Al Frink, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of Fabrica International, to serve as the first Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Manufacturing and Services. A Hispanic American, Frink’s 400-employee company has manufactured carpets and rugs in Orange County, Calif., for over 32 years, and has forged his business into an internationally recognized leader in the carpet industry. He will have to be confirmed by the Senate after the FBI completes a long process of background checks.
In addition, the Bush Administration nominated Arthur “Don” Wainwright as Chairman of the White House's new Manufacturing Council, and Karen Wright to serve as Vice-Chair. Wainwright is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wainwright Industries in St. Louis, recipient of the 1994 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. He served as Chairman of the National Association of Manufacturers 2001-2002. Wright is Chief Executive Officer and owner of Ariel Corporation in Mount Vernon, Ohio, which makes gas compressors for refineries, gas fields, pipeline service and gas gathering facilities the world over.
Build a company apprenticeship program
NIMS has entered into an agreement with the United States Department of Labor to develop a competency based apprenticeship system for the nation's metalworking industry. The new system is intended to fundamentally change and improve the way that skilled workers are training in American manufacturing. Key to the new system is the integration of standards-based credentialing assessments with traditional on-the-job learning.
Cost of the pilots will vary, depending on the firm's training designs and its policies. We believe the participating companies will not only recover their training costs more rapidly under a competency based system, but will have a higher return on its investment than through a time-based system. NIMS can assist with a portion of the costs of instructors and training materials, up to $5,000 per pilot program. NIMS will also provide up to $500 in testing fees per apprentice.
The above information was taken from www.nims-skills.org. Go to the apprenticeship pull down list for a complete overview, questions & answers and the letter of intent. If you would like to have this material faxed to you, contact Steve Everett, NIMS Consultant, at TMA 847/825-1120. To participate, a letter of intent must be submitted to Stephen Mandes, Executive Director of NIMS.
Bush administration rejects China challenges
The Bush administration has rejected attempts by organized labor and some U.S. businesses to force China to change its worker and currency policies. U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick announced April 28 that the administration would not accept a March 16 Section 301 petition from the AFL-CIO seeking trade remedies on China to offset cost advantages stemming from alleged repression of workers’ rights.
Mr. Zoellick and other officials indicated the administration would not accept a Section 301 petition that has been in preparation for the Fair Currency Alliance, a coalition that includes the National Association of Manufacturers and the Tooling & Manufacturing Association. That petition had been expected to seek trade sanctions to force China to let its currency rise in value. Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act allows the U.S. to take action against foreign countries for violating U.S. rights under trade agreements or engaging in practices that harm U.S. trade.
“We do not need to conduct a year-long investigation to know that there are serious concerns with labor rights and working conditions in China, as there are in many other developing countries,” Zoellick said. "We do not need a year-long investigation to know we have serious concerns with China's policies on the value of its currency.”
“The real question is: How can we best change those practices?” said Zoellick. “This administration believes that trade and economic growth -- combined with the use of leverage to pursue mutual interests under agreed international rules -- will move China faster and further toward achieving real results than a retreat into economic isolationism and the raising of barriers that block trade.”
He added, “The AFL-CIO petition, and the possible petition on currency issues, both seek remedies that would worsen the very problems they are trying to solve.”
The Fair Currency Alliance is talking with the administration and plans to continue pursuit of the 301 Petition.
Business & School Partnerships
TMA Chicago based members and the Chicago Public Schools continue to build skills and positive images for manufacturing. John Battista, a National Institute for Metalworking Skills credentialed instructor, is hosting “School & Company Partnership to Implement NIMS” at the Machine Technology Program Laboratories. Advisory committee members, TMA members, and students are invited to attend.
John’s program has advanced dramatically over the past three years with the support of the TMA Education Foundation and CPS Education to Careers. The change started with a grant to bring current machines into spec. Now he has CNC machines, new lathes/mills, 30 online computers, a NIMS accredited program, and new tooling.
A light breakfast will start at 7:30 am and at 8:00 Dan Kiraly, TMA Director of Education, will give an introduction followed by Ray Pendergast, CPS Office of Education to Careers Manager. Each company participant who registers will have an opportunity to take a free credentialing examination, one of 40 exams available to those who want to credential. Learn about NIMS resources and how NIMS can be most useful to companies. Register by contacting Renee Morales at TMA (rmorales@tmanet.com) fax 847/825-6523. Friday, May 28, 7:30 to 11 am at Prosser Career Academy, 2448 N. Long Avenue, Chicago, IL 60617.
Business Trends survey results for April 2004
April 2004 reports from 137 Regular Members indicates business evaluations for April ’04 compared to January ’04 increased from 38 to 45. Order backlog increased for 43%, remained the same for 38% and declined for 19%. On April 1, 2004, average toolroom workweek was 45.8 hours up from 45.0 on January 1, 2004. During 1Qtr04 toolroom employment decreased 1.6%, from 790 to 777. Average weekly production hours increased from 42.0 to 44.1 hours and production employment increased 2.5%, from 2,258 to 2,316. See the complete report attached to this News Bulletin.
Competing in the Global Economy: Lessons for Midwest Manufacturers
Karl L. Buschmann has written an excellent summary of the recently completed Global Manufacturing Series co-sponsored by Tooling & Manufacturing Association and the International Trade Club (ITCC) of Chicago. The series featured a number of TMA member company owners who discussed their strategies for competing in a global environment. The article is posted on the ITCC Web site at http://www.itcc.org/article.asp?artid=37. It’s well worth reading.
Hommer Tool & Mfg., Inc.
Hommer Tool & Mfg., Inc., Arlington Heights, has entered into an agreement to purchase the assets and ongoing business concerns of Romar Mold, Inc. also in Arlington Heights.
Hommer Tool has produced custom components for the injection molding industry for 21 years. Hommer Tool’s customers have been stressing the need for mold ready components that include EDM and polishing. During the process of exploring these services, Hommer Tool was approached by one of its long time top accounts, Romar Mold, whose owner was looking towards retirement. Romar Mold has been in business over thirty years building molds for Illinois’ largest medical manufacturer.
“The fit between the two organizations is great,” stated J.R. Hommer, Vice President of Hommer Tool & Mfg., Inc. Romar Mold has built a solid reputation as a service driven organization that services its customers in a manner consistent with Hommer Tool. “Many moldmakers that originally built tools are no longer in business to service them; Hommer Tool wants to position itself to service these accounts,” stated J.R. Hommer, “we have built a wonderful business doing component work and see this as an opportunity to build on that business and better serve our customers.”
How to document discipline:8 do’s and don’ts
What to document
- Excessive tardiness, unexcused absences.
- Assignments and deadlines met or not met.
- Your assessment of the quality of the employee’s work. Cite examples and your attempts to improve it.
- Failure to comply with policies or safety procedures.
- Physical violence, verbal threats.
- Complains of sexual harassment or discrimination. Include details of your follow-up investigation.
- Proven instances of on-the-job drunkenness or drug use.
- Examples of positive performance. Don’t record only negative events.
—Research Recommendations Business Briefing
Special Report on Employee Discipline and Documentation available from TMA. Request a copy from Nancy Luedtke (ext. 335) or e-mail nluedtke@tmanet.com.
IMA Meeting in Bloomington
The Illinois Manufacturing Extension Centers, the Illinois Manufacturing Association, Caterpillar, and several other groups are co-hosting a "Manufacturing Matters 2004" forum on May 25-26 in Bloomington, Ill. The forum will focus on the changing face of manufacturing in America, the importance of manufacturing to the U.S. economy, and challenge manufacturers to find their niche in a dynamic international environment. For more information visit www.illinoismfgmatters.com.
Implementing NIMS in the Workplace Hands-on Workshop
Over the past few months, 15 people from 10 companies have participated in TMA’s free workshops to learn of the value of National Institute for Metalworking Skills online examinations. NIMS has over forty credentialing exams representing a variety of skill standards at various levels from which to choose. Learn about tools from NIMS for creating career paths, pay-for-skill levels, baseline evaluations, hands-on personnel assessments, CARs (Credentialing Achievement Records), promotion standards, employee certification, company accreditations and training models. The next workshop will be Friday, May 21, 8:00 to 11:00 am at TMA. See attached flyer to register.
Information on tax incentive for new equipment orders
For information on the Jobs & Economic Growth Tax Relief bill containing a 50% expensing allowance for machine tools and other equipment ordered between 5/06/03 and 12/31/04 and placed in service by 12/31/04 go to http://www.amtonline.org/files/one_pager_for_50_percent_expensing.pdf. This regulation replaced the temporary 30% expensing allowance enacted in 2002.
Is your listing up-to-date?
TMA frequently coaches potential purchasers to help them search member products and services on the TMA Web site. Purchasers search by category or key words in the description. The listing is FREE so make sure you have the right categories, right description, contact people, and employment data. Go to http://www.tmanet.com/members/companyinfo/ Questions? Contact Kent Gladish, TMA Director of Marketing (ext. 339.)
Marketing: Prospecting - How best to approach your targeted list
In the May 1 Bulletin, targeted prospects were identified and communication materials were created specifically for their industry. Here is the process for approaching the targeted prospect and following up. Presumably, you have a list of 10-30 names of people and companies.
- Contact the people on the list to verify the name of the person, spelling, employment (people move) etc. Much of this can be obtained by the receptionist through a very unthreatening & genuine approach.
- Use your developed tools:
- Brochure - snail mail or email in pdf format. Consider mailing it two or three times to grab attention;
- PowerPoint - present in person, send electronically or burn to a CD and snail mail to the prospect;
- Participate in that key trade show;
- Create something unique on your web page that attracts your target.
Each of the above tools must be carefully, financially and strategically chosen.
- FOLLOW-UP
You must re-contact each of the people on the list - typically on the phone - to verify that they received your mailing. Use you sales skills to determine the best direction for each.
Please contact Kent Gladish (ext. 339) if you would like further information on this topic.
Member classified advertisements
For Sale: 1995 Agie mondo 30 CNC EDM w/5 position 3R tool changer 14”x12”x10” travel $23,000. 1995 Hansvedt CS-2 EDM w/3R orbitor XY DRO, 13”x10”x18” travel $11,000. 1995 Hurco BMC 30/D VMC 25 pos. ATC 30”x18”x24” Dynapath control 10hp, 8,000 rpm RIGID TAP, $22,000. 1995 Mitsui 6”x12” 200 MH DRO Walker electric chuck, $8,000. Make an offer, contact Rick or Dale at Centerline Tool, Inc. at 630/629-3626, and please leave a message or e-mail to cltool@sbcglobal.net.
Equipment for Sale: (Repeat) Johnson 100 ton Gap 2 point press. 72” x 30” = 5 stroke – 22” SH. With 20” CWP Servo/20”. (7 roll) STN & double 6,000# reel. Located in south Texas, (age late 70’s) - $55,000 loaded. Contact Evelyn at Olson International at 312/738-6300.
Looking to acquire: (Repeat) Well regarded precision machining company looking to acquire a similar business doing <3M in sales consisting primarily of CNC milling and turning – screw machine work also considered but not alone. Medical, aerospace and other high precision customers preferred. Terms are flexible. Contact Eric Parmacek at Inland Midwest Corporation at 773/775-2111.
Member companies rally in support of TMA’s Political Action Committee
The Government Relations Committee thanks all member companies who have contributed to TMA PAC. TMA recognizes not only the contributions made by members in our “Election Year Initiative” campaign but also sponsors and attendees to our legislative meetings, Breakfast for Business, and those member companies which make donations on a regular basis with their membership dues.
Your contributions enable TMA to play an active role on your behalf in the future of our industry. TMA supports legislators that understand and appreciate the challenges Illinois small businesses and manufacturing face.
A list of contributors is attached to this Bulletin. While every attempt has been made to include all contributing companies please let us know if your company name does not appear on the list.
For information on how you can Help us Help you contact Allan Te Ronde (ext. 314), Debra Novak (ext. 347) or Denise Cataldo (ext. 309).
Member news
Dudek & Bock Spring Mfg. Co., Chicago has received ISO/TS 16949:2002 certification for the manufacture of springs, wire forms & light metal stampings.
Sauk Machine Works, LTD, Wheeling, has received ISO 9001:2000 and AS9100 certifications for the following scope: a precision machined components manufacturer.
Inland Midwest Corporation, Chicago, on 12/31/03 was issued a certificate of registration for ISO 9001:2000. Inland is a leading contract manufacturer of precision-machined components for the medical, dental, food service, aerospace, instrumentation and business machine industries.
Lakeside Screw Products, Inc., Addison, has received ISO 9001:2000 certification for the manufacture of precision-machined ground, honed components and sub-assemblies.
Chemtech Plastics, Inc., Elgin, has passed their upgrade audit to both the new automotive standard TS/16949 and ISO 9000:2000. After many months of determined efforts, their team mapped all of the key processes and rewrote and re-implemented their quality management system to better focus on effectiveness and on meeting their customer’s requirements. One significant factor in this accomplishment is that none of their customers required the upgrade. Chemtech stated, “We did it because it was the right thing to do to better serve our customers.”
H.B. Tool and Die Co., Franklin Park is celebrating their 40th anniversary. 1964 – 2004. Congratulations H.B. Tool and Die Co.
Tech-Max Machine, Inc., Elk Grove Village, a CNC machine shop specializing in large parts is celebrating their 15th anniversary, 1989 – 2004, congratulations Tech-Max Machine! Visit
www.tech-max.com for additional information.
U & S Machined Products Co., Chicago is celebrating their 75th anniversary. 1929 – 2004. Congratulations U & S Machined Products Co.
Hard work will never hurt you, unless, of course, you insist on doing it yourself.
—Franklin P. Jones
Numerical Precision, Inc.
Numerical Precision, Inc., Wheeling has received the coveted Supplier Excellence Award from Lockheed Martin Corporation during their “Special Programs Conference” in Clearwater, FL March 10. Lockheed organized the private conference to recognize its major suppliers in space-based Security & Defense related systems. In recognizing Numerical Precision for its work on the Little Bear and Elbert programs, Lockheed offered its congratulations for Numerical’s “Teamwork, Dedication and pride” to Mr. Egon Jaeggin, President of Numerical Precision and to Mr. John Scudiero, Executive Vice President of Quality Assurance.
Personnel available
Human Resource & Training Manager: Applicant seeks position with HR and training responsibilities. Is an experienced training and organizational effectiveness manager with broad background in learning and change management. Has experience as a training manager and as an internal consultant on a wide variety of performance improvement and change projects. Experience includes operations position with P&L responsibility. Holds degrees in psychology and in organizational behavior. Resume Pres043004.
Romanian trade minister to present “Business Briefings” and to meet Illinois company reps
Romania's Trade Minister, the Hon. Eugen Dijmarescu, Ph.D., will discuss bilateral business, trade, and investments opportunities and will meet interested Illinois companies during a series of "Business Briefings on Romania" to be organized in Chicago. Meetings are in Chicago and the suburbs on May 24 and 25. For further detail and to see a list of Romanian companies and their capabilities go to the International Trade Club of Chicago site at http://www.itcc.org/eventshow.asp?event_id=81 This is a great opportunity for one-on-one meetings and to learn more about doing business with Europe.
It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it.
—John Steinbeck
Securing Growth and Jobs:Improving U.S. Prosperity in a Worldwide Economy
In March 2004 The Business Roundtable published a paper entitled, Securing Growth and Jobs: Improving U.S. Prosperity in a Worldwide Economy. The 37-page paper is available at http://www.businessroundtable.org/pdf/20040324003BRoutsourcing.pdf. The Executive Summary leads with:
“Over the past several months, worldwide sourcing and international investment have generated an intense public debate, with dire warnings that the United States is ‘shipping jobs overseas’ due to foreign ‘outsourcing.’ The issues are much more complex than some of the media coverage about U.S. economic and job growth suggests.”
The Business Roundtable is an association of chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies with 10 million employees.
Stampers meet with Rep. Hyde
 On April 23 three stamping company represent-atives and TMA’s Bruce Braker met with Congressman Henry Hyde whose district includes the western suburbs. Meeting with the Congressman Hyde were Mike Chester, president of Buhrke Industries, Inc. and chairman of TMA, Tim Gleason, president of Olson International, Dan Provenzano, president of Tella Tool & Mfg. Co., and Bruce Braker, president of the Tooling & Manufacturing Association. All three stampers are members of both the Precision Metalforming Association and TMA. They discussed steel costs, trade issues, tax policy, and current legislation that impacts manufacturers.
TMA members who wish to invite their Illinois or United States Senator or Representative to visit their plant are encouraged to contact TMA for assistance.
To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.
TMA competitor receives the Gold at SkillsUSA Competition
On Friday, April 23, nine post-secondary students competed for gold, silver and bronze medals in the precision machining division of the 40th annual SkillsUSA Leadership & Skills Conference. The precision machining competition is a grueling eight-hour, hands-on test of each machinist’s skills and endurance. Competitors are challenged to complete projects in milling, turning and benchwork from prints they have not seen ahead of time. They also complete projects in print reading, inspection and CNC programming.
Three TMA Related Theory students competed at the competition. Jim Kraft, Jr., sponsored by Wirth Tool & Machine Corp., earned the gold medal! Jim will represent Illinois at the national level in Kansas City this June.
Charles Baker, sponsored by Cox Automation, earned a bronze medal in Precision Machining, and two silver medals for CNC Milling and CNC Turning.
Nicholas Costa, sponsored by Reliable Die Service, Inc., placed fourth in the Precision Machining competition.
Volunteer judges included Jim Mottl and Mike D’Addabbo-Dial Tool. The contest supervisor was Larry Myers, Jr.- Progressive Manufacturing Corp.
Thanks to Cintas Uniforms in Schaumburg for cleaning the 40-plus smocks used in the precision machining competition at no charge for the past seven years. Their continued support of SkillsUSA is appreciated.
TMA welcomes Michelle Meyers to the Education Department
Michelle Meyers |
On March 15, Michelle Meyers became Manager of Education & Careers in TMA’s Education Department. Michelle assumed the responsibilities of Susan Nichol. Michelle will develop new courses and seminars, continue to enhance TMA’s involvement with the public schools and coordinate customized training.
She has extensive professional experience as an instructional designer, corporate trainer and management of an instructional team of over 40 individuals. She has also managed a multi-million dollar training budget as well as reviewed and selected training vendor resources for a large corporation. Michelle has delivered facilitative technical training that included the review and revision of training manuals and associated software. She has a B.S. degree in Business Management from Ferris State University and is a member of the American Society of Training and Development.
Michelle has demonstrated her professional and technical skills as an instructor in TMA’s customized training program, participating in the SkillsUSA competition and organizing the TMA Metalworking Competition for participating high schools. Welcome to TMA, Michelle.
Use a free assessment to save through energy conservation and waste minimization
As an additional member service, TMA is facilitating an energy conservation assessment program in partnership with the University of Illinois at Chicago. UIC is a newly designated U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) Office of Industrial Technologies Industrial Assessment Centers (IAC). Along with 30 other universities across the United States, UIC now offers no cost industrial assessments. These assessments are performed by engineering faculty and students from various engineering disciplines. Energy conservation, waste minimization and process improvement recommendations have resulted in an average annual savings of nearly $59,000 per plant assessment.
This assessment may help your plant increase profitability and competitive advantage through:
- Increasing energy efficiency
- Improving productivity
- Waste minimization
- Pollution minimization
Currently, Zach Mottl from Atlas Tool and Die Works, Inc. is in the process of implementing the assessment. He is working with Dr. Robert Miller and Dr. William Worek from the University of Illinois at Chicago. More information on this program can be found by visiting http://iac.erc.uic.edu or by sending an email to Dr. Worek at wworek@uic.edu or Dr. Miller at rob@uic.edu. TMA members can also call Dan Kiraly (ext. 346) or Debra Novak (ext. 347) for additional information.
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