www.amba.orgtheamericanmold buildermold builder

Volume 23Volume 23 No. 3

IN THIS ISSUE:IN THIS ISSUE:

sprin

g 20

09sp

ring

2009

Steve RotmanSteve Rotman

speak outa message from our president

We have come back now from a very successful, relaxing and intriguing An-nual Convention in beautiful San Juan. Did I say relaxing? With 100+ friends, families, and partners, YES!! If you have never experienced the AMBA’s annual convention, I need to personally challenge you to make

an effort to do so! I am positive that your business strategy will be challenged, refreshed and then renewed when you go back to your businesses. You will have the time to casu-ally engage with our Partners and learn of all the advances that they see in technology as well as in the market place itself. You will renew your passion for your own establish-ments, as you share war stories, strategies, and accomplishments with fellow mold shop owners. This has truly been a unique opportunity to sit with fellow competitors/Part-ners and gain understanding, along with a little wisdom, of how to better succeed in each of the businesses that we passionately pour ourselves into. Unfortunately, you might get a little sand in your shoes……………

Speaking of the convention, we were given the opportunity to recognize and thank Pete Manship as he has handed the reigns of Mold Craft over to two great young men, Justin McPhee and Tim Bartz. Although Pete is somewhat still involved with the company, he is slowly relinquishing his duties, and is planning his 2nd life (can you guess what that is?). While a successful shop owner, Pete also served on the AMBA board of directors for 12 years, as well as President for two. His uncanny insight into business, his love and passion for moldmaking propelled Pete into the leader that he is. His participation and leadership will be sorely missed, but we wish you well Pete! If you’re not sure who Pete is, look at the latest ad for the AMBA, stating “if you’re not a part of the AMBA, why not??” He’s really not as tough as he looks there!! A sincere THANKS and appreciation to Pete!

We are ramping up the next big event, and that will have its challenges. The 2009 Fall Conference is once again scheduled for Washington D.C.! After a small group of AMBA members attended a D.C. Fly-In in February, we realized how to help you to truly con-nect with your current respective state representatives. We learned at last years fall conference that 10 votes will get a legislator’s attention. We have the power, along with our employees and communities, to make a large enough impact to these folks, to hear what we are up against with current regulations, as well as any future bills being con-sidered. This will be an excellent platform for you to see, meet, and understand what your respective elected offi cials feel about your business issues and problems. You will walk away with the clear knowledge of what your legislator believes and stands for. We then will have the ability to take that knowledge back to our companies, communities, and infrastructure to help “teach” them what we have learned. The Tea Parties are just

Enacting a Mold Lien lawEnacting a Mold Lien law

(continued on Pg 7)

2009 Convention Summary

New Board Members/Offi cers

AMBA News

Mold Builder of the Year

2009 Convention Summary

New Board Members/Offi cers

AMBA News

Mold Builder of the Year

2 AMBA

VISIT WWW.PROCOMPS.COM/DEMO

TO SEE OUR COMPONENTS IN ACTION

not just clean rooms, but dirty rooms, too!

advance tooling standards

Repetition and molds just make sense. It’s what they’re supposed to do. But that doesn’t mean that approaches in mold design should be repeatedinfinitely. Instead, Progressive innovations, along with progressive minded mold designers, combine to evolve and improve production tooling:

• Improve mold performance with SRT Slide Retainers, Needle Bearing Locks, Collapsible Cores, Roller Pullers and exclusive mold cooling items

• Reduce mold cost with Keyed Ejectors, UniLifters, CamActions, Expandable Cavities and a full line of industry standard items

• Achieve total mold control with MoldTrax and ProFile software and CounterView cycle counters

Join those who are evolving their tooling practices of the past.Questions? Call Tech Support at 1-800-269-6653 to discuss.

“No slide should be held

by anything else.”

Etiam dui orci — Venenatis Tortor

“Progressive has brought us innovations that improve the performance of our tools.”

Steve Rotman— President, Ameritech Die & Mold, Inc., Mooresville, North Carolina

just because molds do the same thing over, and over, and over, doesn’t mean we have to.

AMBA 3

Th e offi cial publication ofAmerican Mold Builders Association

Leading the Future of U.S.Mold Manufacturing

3601 Algonquin Rd, Suite 304 • Rolling Meadows, IL 60008phone: 847.222.9402 •fax: 847.222.9437email: info@amba.org • website: www.amba.org

Offi cers and Board of Directors

PresidentSteve Rotman, Ameritech Die & Mold, Inc.Vice-PresidentMike Armbrust, Mako Mold CorporationSecretaryShawn McGrew, Prodigy Mold & ToolTreasurerKent Hanson, H.S. Die & Engineering, Inc.Executive DirectorMelissa Millhuff Association Legal CouncelRichard N. Mueller & Associates

Board of DirectorsMichael Armbrust, Mako Mold CorporationShawn McGrew, Prodigy Mold & ToolKent Hanson, H.S. Die & Engineering, Inc.Chris Jones, Rapid Die & EngineeringRobert Earnhardt, Superior ToolingTodd Finley, Commercial Tool & DieDan Glass, Strohwig IndustriesScott Harris, Harris Precision MoldRoger Klouda. M.S.I. Mold BuildersDonna Pursell, Prestige Mold, Inc.Scott Phipps, United Tool & MoldRobert Vaughan, Dauntless MoldsMike Walter, MET Plastics

AMBA Staff Melissa Millhuff , Executive DirectorSue Daniels, Member Services CoordinatorShannon Merrill, National Chapter CoordinatorKim Cobb, Administrative Coordinator

Th e American Mold Builder is published four times annually in spring, summer, fall and winter by the American Mold Builders Association. Editor: Melissa Millhuff ; Assistant Editor: Sue Daniels; Contribut-ing Author: Clare Goldsberry; Layout & Design: Controlled Color, Inc. phone 630/295-9210; Publishing: Independant Print Services, phone 847-397-1701; Copy deadline: 45 days preceeding publication date. Contact AMBA at 847/222-9402 or email info@amba.org for advertising information, article submission ideas, or a subscription.

Opinions expressed in this publication may or may not refl ect the views of the Association, and do not necessarily represent offi cial positions or policies of the Association or its members.

It’s hard to get excited about anything anymore, isn’t it? You turn on the news…it’s all bad. You read the paper…it’s all bad. The funny thing is that I am more excited than I’ve been in a long time. At the AMBA we’re doing some amazing things, and we’re making good things happen.

As you all know we have partnered with several other trade associations to make some headway on payment terms for U.S. moldmakers. We also have a seat at meetings with GM to work on a better way to execute in the future. We’re adding a new AMBA chapter in the Erie, Pennsylvania area! Eight new companies have joined AMBA as approved members in a matter of two weeks. We are making things happen!!

Don’t forget the Fall Conference in Washington, D.C. will be a chance for you to get in on this phenomenal feeling of change. We’ll be meeting with Congressmen from your area to talk about what you are dealing with. We will be creating change, one person at a time, one state at a time.

The planning the 2010 AMBA Annual Convention in Orlando, FL is well underway. We’re lucky enough to be there with MME 2010, so be sure to mark your calendar to shoot two birds with one stone. Bring along your family to spend some time with them in this fabulous location while you attend the convention and trade show.

I’m super excited about what the future holds for the AMBA…I hope you are too!

Melissa MillhuffExecutive Director

In this Issue:Spring Business Forecast Survey ...................................................................4Enacting Mold Lien Law Legislation in Your State .......................................8Why You Need Hard Milling in Plastic Injection Mold Making ...................8Vendor Tooling: Th e Not So Missing Link .....................................................9AMBA’s 2009 Mold Builder of the Year........................................................11AMBA 2009 Chapter of the Year Award .....................................................13New AMBA Board Members Announced ....................................................14Board Elects Offi cers .....................................................................................14AMBA 2009 Annual Convention Wrap ........................................................15Th ank You to Our Convention Sponsors & Tabletop Exhibitors ................22AMBA 2009 Annual Convention Photos .....................................................24AMBA Convention Beach Olympics Event ..................................................26Point of View .................................................................................................26AMBA Past Convention Locations ...............................................................26AMBA News ...................................................................................................27Chapter Spotlight - Chicago Chapter ...........................................................30Chapter News ................................................................................................31Member News ...............................................................................................35News for Die Casters .....................................................................................37Gibson Insurance Layoff s - How To Avoid Adding Insult To Injury .............................37 Worker Th eft Is Up - Recession To Blame ........................................38 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) - New Regulations .............38

Health Plan Coverage for College Students and ‘Disability’ Changes ...40Human Resources Trying Times .....................................................................................40Tax & Business Retaining Key Employeess ................................................................41

Annual Update on Expense Reporting and Per Diem Rates ...........42New Diesel-Fueled Car Credit...........................................................42Retirement, Gift, and Estate Planning Limitations for 2009 .........43

Business Success Strategies Listening Like a Leader ....................................................................43Classifi ed Corner ...........................................................................................44Tech Corner ...................................................................................................44Advertiser’s Index .........................................................................................46

4 AMBA

Employment is Up for 7% of the Spring respondents, compared to 11% of the respondents to the Winter 2009 survey; the Same for 40% (compared to 57% in the Winter 2009 survey); and Down for 53%, a signifi cant decline from 33% three months ago. The current average number of shop employees stands at 20, down from 24 three months ago. The current average number of design and engineering employees stands at four, down from an average of fi ve where it has stood for many quarters previously. Work-week hours for shop employees dropped to an average of 40 from 43 three months ago; and for design and engineering employees it stands at 41, down from 42 hours three months ago, a drop of 4 hours over six months.

Two survey questions were presented for the Spring 2009 Survey. The fi rst one: Have your technology purchases been for mold/die work or other applications? Explain/List. A total of 61 respondents commented to this question, 12 said they have purchased software to upgrade their CAD/CAM capabilities; 36 have made purchases of machinery and equipment such as high-speed machines, CNC machining centers, QA equipment, EDM, among others; 3 said they have purchased both hardware/machines and software. The remaining respondents said they had not made purchases, purchases are on hold for now, or shifting more manufacturing to China and India per customer demand.

A second question asked, with a choice of fi ve responses: What’s your strategy to build better business in down economy? Of the respondents to this question, 38% said “Implement a marketing plan; 14% said “Advertise more;” 7% said “Hire a sales person;” 23% said “Invest in newer/better technology;” and 18% said “Do nothing until it’s over.”

It’s obvious that most shops know they need to do something to create new business and get backlog up, however in talking to moldmakers, there is still a lot of pessimism about the economy and manufacturing in particular. Such comments made by respondents as, “This is bad and will not change soon,” and “Not much mold work, no work. People laid off not good,” shows a gloomy outlook by many.

On the other end of the spectrum, comments such as, “The down economy has not affected us too bad, but we are a small shop and diversifi ed into many different areas and customers,” and “So far we feel very fortunate, been busy through the 1st quarter, little lull now but appears to be some good things happening again, and receiving PO’s!” shows that there are pockets of good activity.

One moldmaker even commented recently that “I think all those shops that have gone out of business over the past few years have helped those of us that are left to pick up more work.” ❏

Spring Business Forecast Survey Indicates Worsening Conditions for Many Shops

The AMBA released the results of its Spring 2009 Business Forecast Survey showing that optimism has faded along with business. Current business conditions are Good for only 14% of the respondents, down a full 11% of the Winter quarter’s survey. This indicates that business conditions have eroded considerably over the past three months, with only 2% of the Spring survey’s respondents reporting Excellent current business conditions compared to 5% in the Winter and a huge drop from the Fall’s survey (11%). Fair business conditions exist for 35%, also down from 42% of the respondents in the Winter survey. Business conditions are Poor for 38% of the respondents, a huge increase from the 23% of the respondents to the Winter Survey; and Bad for 11% of the respondents, also up from 5% of the respondents three months ago.

Projections for business over the next three months show that company owners are more pessimistic about any economic recovery happening any time soon, with only 33% of the respondents expecting business to Increase Moderately, up considerably from the 23% in the Winter survey. Only 35% expect business to Remain the Same, compared to 44% in the Winter survey. We saw a slight uptick to 5%, in those respondents that expect business to Increase Substantially, from 4% in the Winter survey. However, a few more respondents expect business to Decrease Moderately (17% vs. 16% in the Winter survey). There were also fewer respondents that expect business to Decrease Substantially (10% Spring 2009 vs. 13% Winter 2009), if one wants to fi nd any glimmer of optimism.

When asked to compare their company’s current level of business with that of three months ago, responses indicate that an upturn for mold shops could be on the horizon.

Quoting activity is Up for 41% of respondents compared to only 18% of respondents in the previous survey; the Same for 30%, compared to 42% in the Winter 2009 survey; and Down for just 29%, compared to 40% in the last quarter. This uptick in quoting activity shows that companies are preparing for new programs and products, which supports recent reports that inventories are bottoming out and companies are on the cusp of spending capital funds to get rolling again. This is about three months behind schedule however, given that many companies release new budgets on January 1.

Shipments are Up for 10% of the respondents compared to 15% last quarter, indicating the slow business climate of Q1. Shipments stayed about the Same for 30% of respondents compared to 39%, which is down slightly from the Winter 2009 survey; and Down for 59% of the respondents compared to 46% of the respondents in the Winter 2009 survey, another considerable increase for the second consecutive survey.

Backlog is Up for only 11% of the respondents, a slight drop from the 13% in the Winter survey; the Same for 23% (up slightly from the 20% in Winter 2009 survey); and Down for 66%, a signifi cant drop compared to the 54% of respondents of the Winter 2009 survey. These responses would continue to indicate that while there’s a fl urry of quoting activity, there’s still not a lot of work in the pipeline.

Profi ts in the Spring survey are Up for 7%, a slight increase from 6% of the respondents to the Winter survey; the Same for 30%, compared to 40% in the Winter 2009 survey; and Down for 63% of the respondents compared to 54% three months ago, showing continued downward pricing pressures on mold companies.

So, You Think You Have a Great Idea?

Introducing a new book by Clare Goldsberry that will help you and the inventor. So, You Think You Have a Great Idea! guides the inventor through the maze of dealing with plastic part designers, mold designers, moldmakers and molders. It

offers tips to moldmakers and molders on how not to get stuck with someone’s great idea, and tips to inventors on how not to deal with mold shops. First rule for inventors - have money! Second rule - never ask a moldmaker to build the tool now in exchange for a piece of the action later. If you’ve ever dealt

with an inventor, or know inventors who need help dealing with the plastics industry, this is the book! A special price at $6.95

available directly from Clare Goldsberry, please call (602) 996-6499 or email at clarewrite@aol.com.

AMBA 5

The AMBA Business Forecast Survey was developed to provide AMBA members with informationon the current business conditions and a projection of the upcoming months. The Spring 2009Survey resulted a response rate of 45% from AMBA members. Business remains "Good"for 14% of the respondents, and for 2% of the respondents it is "Excellent."

AMBA Spring 2009 Business Forecast Survey Results

AMBA Members Current Business Conditions

14%

35%

38%11%2%

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Bad

Projection of Business Over the Next 3 Months

35%

17%10%

5%

33%IncreaseSubstantially

IncreaseModerately

Remain theSame

DecreaseModerately

DecreaseSubstantially

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Up Same Down

Current Level of Business in Last 3 Months

Quoting

Shipments

Backlog

Profits

Employment

Current Work-Week Hours

40 41

0

10

20

30

40

50

Wor

k H

ours

Average Shop Hours Average Design & Engineering Hours

Current Number Plant Employees

20 4

0

10

20

30

40

50

Pla

nt E

mpl

oyee

s

Average Shop Employees Average Design & Engineering Employees

6 AMBA

t

REGISTER TODAY www.moldmakingexpo.com/register

PASSCODE: MME09

SOURCECODE: MBR

Onsite Registration: $500 Pre-Registration: $350

AMBA Member: $262.50

You Save: ($237.50)

Special Offer for Members of the American Mold Builders Association

FULL CONFERENCE PASS INCLUDES:Full Access to All MoldMaking Expo

Conference Sessions

Complete Conference Proceedings

Admission to:

· MoldMaking Expo

· NPE2009

· Time Compression Expo

Specialty Pavilions & Theaters

Shuttle Bus Service

25% Off MoldMaking Expo

Full Conference Pass

AMBA 7

Speak Out: A Message From Our President(Continued from front cover)

a prelude to the Townhall Meetings that I believe will start popping up, as more and more Americans are realizing that we have lost our way. The time to get involved is NOW, and the way is the Fall Conference. Before the event, there will be webinars to help answer any questions, concerns, or discuss approaches, so that everyone understands and feels comfort-able with the one-on-one meetings. The next round of major elections will be one year away from this event. This is a crucial year to be able to make an educated, reasoned decision on how to change the things in your country that affect each of us.

When this issue hits the “news stands” we will be at NPE. Once again AMBA will have a booth in the Mold Maker’s Pavilion at the show, promoting the world’s BEST mold manufacturers, distributing member-ship directories, collecting leads of potential mold buyers, and answer-ing attendee questions. Please take the time to visit the booth, introduce yourself to the staff, and see what the AMBA is doing for YOU! We are excited for the opportunities that will be available to all the members from contacts at the show!

As I am writing this we are very close to a called meeting with the President’s Automotive Task Force. I have to say it was an unprecedent-ed meeting in Detroit that brought fi ve trade associations and represen-tation from independent shops from across the U.S. and Canada. Sitting together we drafted a letter to send to the OEM’s and Tier 1’s to try to bring the plight of the collective North American toolmakers in light of an imminent Chapter 11 of Chrysler and quite possibly GM. We also are approaching them for better payment terms sighting the viability of U.S. toolmakers as related to automotive tooling. While I do not yet know the outcome of all this effort, I want to assure you that we have been in-volved in a positive way, and I am hoping with all my heart that we will see the fruit of all of these efforts. I want to commend Melissa and staff as this has consumed a huge amount of their time, yet they still get done the other tasks that were already assigned. This has been a monumen-tal task, but one that I hope in the end will get the recognition that the AMBA is really the voice and heart of American moldmakers.

Wishing you much success, as we all go through a year of transition and uncertainty.

Continuing to fi ght for the right to be an American entrepreneur called moldmaker! ❏ � individual

� reliable

� individual

� reliable

www.hasco.com

� professional

� fast

� professional

� fast

Your partner for intelligent standardcomponents and

hot runner solutions

Your partner for intelligent standardcomponents and

hot runner solutions TThin

k m

etric –

it’s

tim

e !Th

ink

met

ric –

it’s

tim

e !

110 South Jennings StreetP.O. Box 1259Sioux City, Iowa 51102-1259 USA

email: info@rocklinmanufacturingco.comweb: www.rocklinmanufacturingco.com

MOLD AND DIE REPAIRMICRO WELDER

MADEIN USA

Permanently Repairs Ferrous Metals withMetallic Ribbon, Wire, Powder or Paste.

P-20, H-13, 420SS, S-7, A-2, Nickel, M-2, etc.

Parting Lines Corners / EdgesPin Holes Scratches / DentsDesign Changes D. C. Arcs

FOR LITERATURE • CD • DEMOCALL:800-255-6046 • FAX:712-252-5619

Low Heat / No ShrinkAdjacent Surfaces UnaffectedRotary Handpiece forContinuous WeldsEasy Operation - PortableMinimal Finishing On RepairsFully Hardened Non-Arcing Welds

Why I Joined the AMBA:

“One of the big benefi ts of being an AMBA member is networking with other shops. For a couple of years, we were really busy and we were able to sub-contract work to other AMBA member shops that had machine time. Now, we’re on the other end. We have machine time on some of our equipment and AMBA member shops in the area are sub-contracting work to us. I’ve learned some new machining processes and new technologies from networking with other shops. This is an opportunity I wouldn’t have had without my membership in the AMBA.”

Ed Siciliano, President, Circle Mold and Machine Co. Inc., Tallmadge, Ohio, and president of the AMBA Ohio Chapter.

8 AMBA

Why You Need Hard Milling in Plastic Injection Mold MakingBy: Randy Hough

One of the best ways to save time and money in injection mold making is by using hard milling techniques. In fact, if you are not already hard milling, you will soon fi nd yourself at a distinct competitive disadvantage.

Why use hard milling? • To save time

• Reduce set ups • Eliminate a great deal of EDM work • Eliminate hand fi tting, especially of

contoured shut-off surfaces • Produce a surface that is much more

true to the CAD model • Eliminate a great deal of stoning and polishing • Move work through the shop more quickly • Eliminate many grinding steps • Shorten delivery dates

Those are some pretty compelling reasons to use hard milling! After all, who doesn't want to achieve any or all of the above benefi ts?

Do you need specialized CNC milling machines?Yes and no. No, you don’t have to go out and buy a half million dollar vertical milling machine, in fact, you can do a lot on a basic Bridgeport type of machine. But, if you are serious about hard milling, you should defi nitely invest in a machine that is designed for this purpose.

You need a CNC milling machine that is rigid enough to withstand the forces generated by the high spindle speeds, rapid feed rates and the vibrations caused during machining. Nowadays there are many high quality machines that are specifi cally designed for high speed and hard milling.

A CNC milling machine used for hard milling should have

• A column and base that is heavy • Box ways with linear roller bearings • A spindle that is core cooled • Ball screws that are dual supported • Thermal stability and structural rigidity

Do you need specialized software?Again, yes and no. No, you don’t need CAD/CAM software that is engineered specifi cally for hard milling. But your quality will suffer as a consequence. This is because the requirements for hard milling are different than conventional milling of soft steel. The typical software will cause the cutter to move in a jerky manner, which will shorten tool life dramatically and fail to achieve the desired accuracy and surface fi nish.

Some other tool path requirements are:

• The need to control how the cutter enters and exits the cut • The need to maintain a steady, constant chip load • Ensure that the shock conditions for each roughing and fi nishing

pass are maintained

Enacting Mold Lien Law Legislation in Your StateBy: David Lefere of Bolhouse, Vander Hulst, Risko & Barr PC

As a practicing attorney in Michigan and an advocate for the Michigan Tool and Die Industry I have had the opportunity to become intimately familiar with the Michigan Special Tools Lien Act and the Michigan Mold Lien Act (the “Acts”). The Acts grant tool, die and mold makers the right to establish the ability to enforce a lien on tools, dies and molds that are designed, manufactured, or repaired and shipped without payment. The Acts provide a remedy to tool and mold builders who are required to infuse hundreds of thousands of dollars into the design and manufacture of tooling and molding, and then are subsequently unable to collect payment. Other states, such as Ohio and Illinois, also have tooling lien laws similar to Michigan’s. Recently, I have been asked how states without tooling lien laws should go about getting lien laws enacted.

Simply put, it needs to start at a grass roots level. The most important thing that needs to happen is for the tool and mold shops to get organized and be fully educated on how useful and effective lien laws can be when strictly adhered to. Other things that are benefi cial when trying to get lien laws enacted or amended are:

1. Appointing a spokesperson or persons (sometimes referred to as a lobbyist) who is knowledgeable regarding lien laws;

2. Gain support of key representatives (preferably bi-partisan) who, together with your spokesperson, can use their infl uence with other members of the state’s leadership;

3. Start a letter writing campaign. The tool and mold shops should

write their state representatives informing them of the need for lien laws and asking for his/her support;

4. Request an in-person meeting with your representatives; putting a face to something always helps.

5. Don’t underestimate the infl uence of the local and/or state Chamber of Commerce. Ask for an opportunity to attend a board meeting. Inform them of your position and seek their support - that is what Chambers of Commerce are for and they are happy to help local businesses.

6. Draft the legislation for the Legislature. No need to recreate the wheel; look to the lien laws in Michigan and Ohio for the proposed language.

The tips above are certainly not an exhaustive list as to what should be done in order to get lien laws passed or amended. However, it does give you a good overview of some of the things that should be thought of prior to the start of such a movement. Having been a part of this process in Michigan over the past few years, I learned what works, what doesn’t work and what roadblocks one can expect. The key is to not get frustrated and to continue to build relationships with people and organizations that have infl uence. ❏

AMBA 9

The idea is to produce a surface that is true to the model, dimensionally accurate, has a good surface fi nish and do it quickly! Sounds like a lot to ask, but it is done everyday by progressive moldmaking shops around the world. Having the right software is essential.

What about the spindle?The cutting tool and the tool holder act as one unit. The spindle must be able to protect the integrity of this unit. Therefore, it must be designed for the high speeds that are necessary. Direct drive spindles are called for in hard milling applications. Gear and belt driven spindles are not advised. The control of heat and vibration is also extremely important.

The importance of the spindle cannot be overlooked because it is the link between the machine tool and the cutter. If the spindle is inadequate, the entire process will suffer greatly.

Do you need special CNC tooling?Shrink fi t tool holders and an HSK interface are mandatory for hard milling. Sure, you can use other methods, but this combination has proven to be very effective. These tool holders are the most accurate available today and they are very easy to use.

The HSK interface is simply the most accurate, secure and stiff type in use today. Failing to use the proper tool holders will shorten tool life dramatically because the chip load will fall on fl ute and quickly cause premature wear.

ConclusionThe hard milling of plastic injection molds is becoming a standard method of moldmaking. There are so many benefi ts associated that shops who are slow to get on board will soon be at a serious loss to compete.

With today’s sophisticated CNC milling machines, coated carbide end mills, ceramic inserts, advanced software and reasonable prices, hard milling is within the reach of almost any competitive mold shop.

Randy Hough has worked as a plastic injection mold maker since 1978. He heads a group of industry professionals who have a web site dedicated to injection moldmaking. You can learn the latest trends and techniques by visiting www.global-plastic-injection-molding.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randy_Hough ❏

Leverage Your Membership and Save on Shipping.Your membership with AMBA entitles you to savings on your LTL (less-than-truckload)

shipments with YRC. This savings program is a free benefit of your AMBA membership.

Enroll and start saving today.www.enrollhere.net | 800.647.3061 | Associations@yrcw.com

Copyright ©2009 YRC Inc.

Vendor Tooling: The Not-So-Missing LinkBy: Laurie A. Harbour-Felax, President, of Harbour-Felax Group

As tool manufacturers you clearly understand how important tooling is to the end quality of the product being produced. The best tools are designed considering quality, effi ciency and functionality for the entire life cycle of the part. Without such consideration manufacturers of parts will continually struggle with fi rst time quality and overall performance. Recently Harbour-Felax Group published a study on Vendor Tooling in the automotive industry. We called it The Not So Missing Link highlighting the necessary linkage between product and process in any industry not just automotive. Our study reveals that understanding tooling and its impact on the interrelationship between suppliers and end customers, such as the automotive OEMs, is essential to maintaining a solid value chain. Furthermore many of the critical players in the decision process do not understand how important this not-so-missing link is to the end deliverable.

The North American tool industry has gone through the most diffi cult times in the last 20 years and in the last 18 months things have become more desperate with the fall of the economy. The study was a result of several months of gathering data through our own process of tooling audits conducted with many Tier I automotive, aerospace and other

10 AMBA

industry suppliers. We interviewed over 50 suppliers, 25 tool vendors, all of the major automotive OEM’s and various automotive expert analysts to help us validate the conclusions developed in this study. All of these efforts combined with our team’s extensive experience in manufacturing, tooling and various transportation industries allowed us to publish this extensive 400 page study.

The following are the key fi ndings of the study:

• There is an 8% average cost gap between the Domestic Three (Chrysler, Ford, GM) and the New Domestics (Honda, Nissan and Toyota).

• The companies with the lower tool cost on average spend more on upfront design and engineering in 59% of the cases of our study.

• Companies that provide progress payments to the tool vendors throughout the development process have a healthier supply base, less initial cost and better supplier relations.

• There is a huge gap between perception and reality between suppliers and tool vendors and the OEM’s they service. OEM’s believe that suppliers and tool vendors understand their policies and the process of which they can work together more effectively when in reality this perception is very different.

• The data validates that it is lower cost to build dies in low cost countries, HOWEVER, our audit data does not include ancillary costs such as travel, tool retrofi tting and other things that occur once the tools are brought to North America. Taking this into account the study does not reveal a cost difference large enough to warrant a whole sale source of tools to low cost countries.

• Program volume accuracy is different for all OEM’s and suppliers perceive this as a tool for the OEM’s to manipulate the suppliers.

• Selection of suppliers and tool manufacturers is more robust among the New Domestics and as a result suppliers are involved further up front in development, they receive progress payments and are generally healthier.

• Tier I bankruptcy is a major issue in today’s economy and a specifi c risk to tool vendors that have shipped tools and not received payment because the product has not gone through PPAP.

These conclusions are only the highlights of the many weaknesses in the value chain as identifi ed in the study. But more important than what the issues are, the focus must be on solutions. The study outlines many of the things that the OEM’s must do to better manage this situation and reduce their risk while building a healthier supply base. Additionally, the tool vendors and suppliers have a role in managing their business more effectively to cope with the strategies of the OEM’s. Technical competency and organizational stability are some of the many solutions identifi ed for suppliers.

This study simply scratches the surface by examining this all too sensitive issue of tooling in the automotive industry. Our suspicions that these issues exist as signifi cantly in other industries such as aerospace, medical, etc. have been validated based on our work with companies in these markets.

The study has reached the U.S. task force for the automotive industry recently and they are shocked by the fi ndings of the study and the signifi cant work done by the tooling industry to raise these issues through the diffi cult time of saving the automotive industry.

The next step in this journey has been a call to action for all tooling manufacturers, suppliers and OEM’s in all industries to combine their efforts and work towards a collective solution to this problem in order to encourage a healthier manufacturing industry for all. We are happy to support this effort with another tooling study in the next year to dig deeper into the issues scratched in this study. I encourage you to consider your support in this effort and in purchasing the current study to better understand the issues, your customer and your role in solving this delicate issue. ❏

AMBA 11

Bill Mach of Mach Mold Inc. Awarded AMBA’s Mold Builder of the Year

The AMBA presented its annual “Mold Builder of the Year” award to Bill Mach, owner of Mach Mold Inc., Benton Harbor, MI. The award was presented at the AMBA 2009 Annual Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico, (Feb. 28-March 5). Bill has been in the moldmaking business since graduating from Ferris State College with a degree in Tool and Die, and completing his apprenticeship at Advanced Products in 1974.

Bill began building molds in his garage in the mid-1970s, and in 1981, Bill and his wife, Vicki, opened Mach Mold and Die Company in Riverside, MI. Over the past nearly three decades, Bill has grown his company into a premier mold manufacturing company. In 1997, the company changed its name to Mach Mold Inc., and moved its 50 employees to a new, 30,000-square-foot facility in the Urbandale Industrial Park.

Extremely active in the AMBA, Bill has served on the Southwest Michigan Chapter Board for 21 years, the fi rst 10 years as Education Chairman and the last 11 years as President. “He is the driving force that keeps the chapter going during these challenging times,” said Ken Patzkowsky of Hanson Mold, the person who nominated Bill for the award.

Bill supports the national AMBA by attending conventions, recruiting new members, attending monthly Board meetings and organizing the yearly social events such as the AMBA golf outing. He has served on the AMBA National Board nominating committee for the past fi ve years.

Bill is committed to education and apprenticeship programs, working closely with Lake Michigan College to improve and update the curriculum. Over the years, he has trained over 40 apprentice mold makers at Mach Mold. He was also instrumental in Berrien County’s school-to-work program that brought local schools and mold shops together to build a working relationship to promote the apprenticeship program. He continues to work with the Berrien County ISD to promote awareness of the mold making industry by organizing large groups of students from local school districts to tour Mach Mold and other local AMBA member facilities.

Bill is always willing to share information with other AMBA members. Situations such as dealing with customer bankruptcy, OHSA audits, time ticket procedures to comply with the Michigan DOL (which has different standards than the Federal DOL), and how to handle a shipment of machinery with the least amount of fi nancial impact, should the equipment be damaged in transit, are just a few examples.

Bill is the founder and president of the Berrien Tooling Coalition, a work-share program among members which was started to help members maximize their machines. It also provides ways to utilize specialty machines among members so that not every shop has to have every piece of equipment.

“I was pleasantly surprised,” Mach said in an interview. “I was sitting there listening to all the accomplishments wondering who’d been doing all the things I’d been doing for all those years. It was nice to be

12 AMBAVEGA TOOL CORPORATIONTEL: (800) 228-2969www.vega-tool.com

735 EAST REMINGTON ROADSCHAUMBURG, IL 60173

IASR MULTI EPDR› Highly rigid indexable end mills› Metal removal rates of 18in3/min or higher› Performs at feed rates greater than 20m/min (787ipm)› One insert fits all sizes: 5/8” to 2.5” and 16mm to 66mm

› Corner radius end mills for deep machining› For hardened steels up to 70HRC› Revolutionary design for reduced vibration› Ideal for precision machining conventionally done by EDM

From start to finish, Hitachi Tool has the right cutting tools for moldmakers. Higher metal removal rates, improved surface finishes and superior cost performance is what we’re all about.

Need more convincing? Contact us for a test!!

AMBA 13

recognized like this by my peers in the industry.” Mach was presented with a check for $5,000 from Progressive Components to be used for an industry-related education program of his choice. After meeting with the Southwest Michigan Chapter board, Mach said they have decided to pool the funds awarded to the chapter as Chapter of the Year with that awarded to Mach, and give it to Lake Michigan College.

“Lake Michigan College has been a long term partner in apprenticeship and employee training, helping us provide the training we need locally for our employees,” Mach said. “We’re hoping to continue that relationship, so the Board met to discuss how to approach the college. We’ve asked them to come to us with a wish list of things they need to ensure the continued health of the training program. We asked them to respond by March 25.” ❏

equipment. “It helps out with the peaks and valleys, and while we still have to be competitive with each other, it’s good to know that we can work together to get machine time locally,” said Mach.

The chapter also works closely with other industry trade groups in Michigan, as well as with State Representatives and Senators, inviting them to attend and speak at annual graduation banquets. Recently, Michigan State Representative, John Proos, requested a meeting with the members of the AMBA chapter, the Berrien Tooling Coalition and the National Tooling and Machining Association to get the groups’ input on the current economy, specifi cally the automotive industry, and how it is affecting their businesses.

The Southwest Michigan Chapter was presented a check for $5,000 from Progressive Components to be used for an industry-related program of their choice. The Southwest Michigan Chapter board met and decided to pool the funds awarded to the chapter with that awarded to Bill Mach as Mold Builder of the Year, and give it to Lake Michigan College.

“Lake Michigan College has been a long term partner in apprenticeship and employee training, helping us provide the training we need locally for our employees,” Mach said. “We’re hoping to continue that relationship, so the Board met to discuss how to approach the college. We’ve asked them to come to us with a wish list of things they need to ensure the continued health of the training program. We asked them to respond by March 25.” ❏

AMBA 2009 Chapter of the Year Award Presented to Southwest Michigan Chapter

The AMBA awarded its 2009 AMBA Chapter of the Year to the Southwest Michigan Chapter. Accepting the award at the Annual AMBA Convention (Feb. 28-March 5) in San Juan, Puerto Rico, was Bill Mach, who has served as President of the Southwest Michigan Chapter for more than 10 years.

The Southwest Michigan Chapter was recognized for its active participation in the industry, including its support of the AMBA National Conventions and Conferences. The Chapter has a strong apprenticeship program, and works closely with local high school career counselors and machine tool instructors to promote mold making as a rewarding career. When the Chapter couldn’t fi nd an appropriate textbook for the program that described what is involved with the mold making process, the Chapter created its own textbook, titled “Introduction to Moldmaking” which is still in use.

The chapter also sponsored charter buses to the International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago, held in September, to give students exposure to the technology, equipment and career opportunities that require a highly skilled workforce. By donating both money and equipment to improve their programs, the Southwest Michigan Chapter offers students the opportunity to gain experience at early on. “At the last two IMTS shows, we had no problem fi lling the busses,” said Mach. “We ended up with several bus loads of students, so we as a chapter picked up the cost of the busses.”

At the college level, the Southwest Michigan Chapter is involved with the apprenticeship program offered at the Lake Michigan College M-Tech Center. Members work with the machine tool instructors (some of who are employed by local AMBA member companies) to review and suggest curriculum relevant to the mold making industry.

The chapter regularly holds chapter meetings, inviting speakers who can keep the chapter members informed of trends and new technologies. Members of the chapter have formed a “workload sharing” program, in which members provide information at the chapter meetings on equipment time availability in order to utilize specialized equipment and keep the machines busy without each shop purchasing duplicate

Formed to Pe

fectio

n

See Product Demonstrations at NPE 2009 - Visit Booth S32089

Why I Joined the AMBA:“I joined because AMBA is the largest and best lobby group fi ghting for us!”Doug Northup, CEO, A&O Mold and Eng., Vicksburg, MI

14 AMBA

New AMBA Board Members Announced Four directors have been elected to a three-year term.

Robert Earnhardt, Superior ToolingCarolinas ChapterRobbie started his career in this industry at 14 years old with a neighbor’s tool and die company. After high school he was off to college, but while in college realized that what he really enjoyed most was working in the shop and someday hoped to have his own shop. After serving his apprenticeship he worked with Black and Decker in their R&D Center, getting experience in the injection mold building industry. After fi ve years with the company, Black and Decker moved out of state, and Robbie decided that it was time to expand his backyard business and try it on his own. After 23 years he is proud to say that he made the right decision. Like many small businesses, it has not been a very easy road but one that he is very proud of. Robbie says, “Manufacturing is in my blood.” He has a VERY strong passion for our industry and manufacturing in America. He feels that in order for our country to be strong we must be able to manufacture. In the very tough times that we are facing, he sees one answer: bring manufacturing back to our country and give our people their jobs back. Without jobs and manufacturing we will never regain our strength. Robbie will do all he can to help others understand how important manufacturing is for our country, and asks, “Why do you think other countries want our manufacturing industry so badly?”

Todd Finley, Commercial Tool & Die West Michigan ChapterTodd began his career as a moldmaker apprentice in 1985. He has been a Moldmaker, Project Manager, Design Manager, Chief Engineer, Plant Manager, and is currently Vice President of CTD. His responsibilities include sales ($22M) and operations for the 2008 MMT Leadtime Leader award winner. Todd is passionate about excellence in manufacturing and continuous improvement in a lean environment. Todd believes that U.S. moldmakers can be globally competitive on a level playing fi eld.

Dan Glass, Strohwig Industries Wisconsin chapterDan is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Strohwig Industries, a family business where he has worked since the age of twelve. Strohwig Industries has been a builder of high quality molds and dies for almost 30 years in Richfi eld, WI. Dan currently serves as a board member for the WPMC (Wisconsin Precision Metalworking Council), Wisconsin BotsIQ, AMBA National Board, and president of the Wisconsin AMBA Chapter. He is a member of the AMBA, NTMA, SPE, TDMAW, WPMC, Wisconsin BotsIQ and NADCA. He has been the Wisconsin chapter president for over 15 years and has helped set up two fall conferences held in Wisconsin. Dan has been an AMBA national board member for three years and has attended nearly every AMBA convention and conference for the last 25 years.

Shawn McGrew, Prodigy MoldIndiana ChapterShawn McGrew started working in the mold building industry in 1984 as an apprentice and worked his way through the ranks working in a few different shops. In 1996, he partnered up with a co-worker and founded Prodigy Mold & Tool, Inc. located in Southern Indiana. He has been a member of the AMBA since 2001, and a member of the National Board of Directors for the past three years. He also recognizes the importance of manufacturing to the U.S. and is passionate about continuing to develop new techniques and strategies to keep business in the U.S. and at the same time convincing customers of that importance. ❏

Board Elects Offi cersFollowing the announcement of the new national board of directors during the 2009 convention, the offi cers for the 2009/2010 term were announced. They are:

President – Steve Rotman Ameritech Die & Mold

Vice-President – Mike Armbrust Mako Mold Corporation

Secretary – Shawn McGrew Prodigy Mold & Tool

Treasurer – Kent HansonH.S. Die & Engineering

Establish Yourself as an Industry Expert Author an article or submit an idea for an article for The

American Mold Builder publication. Send your article(s) or idea(s) to Sue Daniels at sdaniels@amba.org. Don’t worry

about grammar and punctuation; the staff at AMBA will help! We will review your submission for consideration in an

upcoming issue.

AMBA 15

“We are more than just Pins, Cores & Sleeves...”

800 425 3171 choicemold.comISO 9001:2000 Registered

Mold Locks• Interchangeable with Competitors• In Stock for immediate delivery• Special Discounts available

Customs• Mold Locks, Blades, Sleeves, Core Pins

and Water Cooled Core Pins allmanufactured In-House to your exactspecifications for fast accurate delivery!

Blades• Available in M-2 & H-13 Steel• US Inch & Euro Metric Sizes• 573 Standard Sizes• Over 30,000 blades in stock for

immediate delivery

Pin Vise• Manufactured for Mold Makers• Versatile overall length sizing and

grinding of head of ejector pins

All Made in the USA

AMBA 2009 Annual Convention Wrap

Another successful, informative and fun-fi lled AMBA Annual Convention drew to a close and it proved to be one of the best yet. We say that every year, and every year the next year proves us wrong – there are always great things yet to come. The meeting, held in San Juan, Puerto Rico, attracted 100+ attendees including AMBA moldmaking members and Partners.

In her report on the State of the AMBA, Executive Director Melissa Millhuff reported a positive movement in membership, with a net increase in 2008, for the fi rst time in eight years. “The Partner Program has been a big success during the past year, and we’re proud to have the support of all these suppliers who help us keep U.S. mold manufacturing at the cutting edge of technology and the industry strong,” she said. “AMBA is becoming stronger as we look for additional ways to support our members and promote U.S. manufacturing.”

Millhuff noted that the AMBA is working closely with other industry trade associations on political advocacy efforts to ensure that the mold manufacturing industry is being seen and heard by those in Washington, D.C.

In his opening remarks, Steve Rotman, President of the AMBA, encouraged the members in attendance at the convention to participate in the organization’s efforts to get the attention of Congress and let our voices be heard. “Congress works for us, and we have the power of the vote,” he said. “We’ll have a score card to

keep track of who votes to strengthen manufacturing in the U.S. and who doesn’t, and we can make a difference. Now is the time because people are fi nally listening.”

Rotman said that when he purchased his company, Ameritech, in 2001, he “thought he’d bought a dog and I’d be out of business” given the way things were that year. “With all the China talk, it felt like we were up against the world, but then I found out that our real enemies are in Washington, D.C.,” he said. “That’s why we’re working hard on our political advocacy. The level of enthusiasm at the Fall Conference was great!”

Commenting on the Washington Fly-In, held the week prior to the AMBA Annual Convention, Rotman noted, “At the Fly-In, we didn’t know what to expect, but we discovered that Congress is concerned about our issues, and how they can support us. They want to come and visit our shops and see what we do.”

Rotman told attendees at the convention that the AMBA is here to help them set up Town Hall meetings and get political action going among the chapters. “Congress works for us, and we have the power of the vote,” Rotman stated. “We’ll have an anecdote for their failure to support us. We’ll keep a score card and we can make a difference. Now is the time people are listening.”

Mike Walter, a director on the AMBA board, was invited to comment on the Fly-In and noted that he was able to meet with ten Congress people in two days. “This gave me some hope about our country,” he said. “If we keep at this and get our representatives and senators committed to support manufacturing, we can get this country back on track.”

16 AMBA

Keynote Speaker Garrison Wynn: Making the Most of Diffi cult Situations: Changing Markets, Changing TimesGarrison Wynn of Wynn Solutions is co-author of “Speaking of Success” with Steven Covey and Ken Blanchard, and a former professional stand-up comedian. He is also a former Fortune 500 corporate department head who has developed and marketed products that are still being sold around the world. His company focuses on research, not theory, and his new book, “What the Top 1% Do Differently and Why They Won’t Tell You,” will be in bookstores in October.

Wynn’s humor and business acumen gave attendees a chance to laugh and learn. “If you criticize others’ ideas in tough times, they’ll almost never work for you,” he said. “Everybody knows something you don’t, especially when times are tough. You may have all the knowledge in your industry but you lose your wisdom. The problem is that people are often right, but we judge they’re wrong. We all like to believe that we’re not judgmental, but we all live in judgment.”

In the survey that Wynn did for his book, he found that what the top 1% of companies deemed important to success, the bottom 99% deemed it irrelevant.

When a company leader requests information, three things happen: 1) you might agree with the person; 2) you might think they’re nuts; 3) they might change their story to match yours. It really involves trust.

Compassion and competence are two keys to being a successful business leader. “Your employees must believe you care,” he said. “They must believe you can do what you say you can do.”

They must come away feeling that they’ve been “heard,” Wynn explained. “If they feel listened to they trust right off. Making people feel heard is the key to trust. Unfortunately, humans don’t listen very well. Listening is not hereditary. If no one ever listened to you as a child, you won’t listen to others. We can’t listen to people because they think differently.”

“Leaders often rob people of their uniqueness,” Wynn noted. “You grow the size of the problems by telling the employee they don’t exist by not listening.”

There are three things a leader can do, whether it’s with customers, suppliers or employees:

1) Agree there’s a problem, and listen. They’re more likely to work with you if you agree with them fi rst.

2) When someone feels listened to and trusted there’s a chemical reaction. It’s the “pure power of making people feel heard.”

3) How well you trust the people you don’t like; who are diffi cult. You lose your advantage to lead if you don’t trust even those you don’t like.

“We have to make the leap that most of my problems are of my own making,” Wynn said. “Just because I founded the company doesn’t mean I’m the best person to take it to the next level.”

People all have the same agenda: Love, Money, and Prestige. Love of people must be genuine. If you’re not sincere you’re seen as cold. If you’re overly sincere, you seem fake. Real “characters” are genuine and they can get away with things regular people can’t. Are you being real?

Money -- Do you have multiple solutions for a single problem? The minute you say there’s only one way to do something, you’re selling yourself short.

Prestige - Can you make people look smart in front of those they want to look smart in front of?

Change: People don’t like change and reject change. “No one wants to be a Sr. Beginner,” said Wynn. The top 1% show how the old way worked and how it is similar to the new way, and then talks about the benefi ts of the new ways. It eases people into change.

Value: In times of change you must 1) clearly explain your value in 20 seconds. 2) You must get people to think by asking them good questions. People are afraid to ask questions because they’re afraid they’ll look stupid. It takes effort to ask good questions.

Clarity: Does it make sense? Is it clear? It doesn’t matter how smart you are if nobody knows what you’re talking about. Clarity is more important than brilliance. Clarity is key!

Communication: If no one gets it, it’s not communication. We lack tolerance for those who don’t get it.

The top 1% of successful companies know how to overcome buyer’s objections in tough times.

1) Give me a clear explanation of why you won’t buy. 2) It’s always better to spend money in tough times – get better deals, terms, etc.3) Manage customer expectations and emotions - customer expectations vs. customer satisfaction. The top 1% of successful companies makes good fi rst impressions. “Never order lobster in front of a customer,” advised Wynn.

• “First impressions are the fi lter through which they do everything else. In tough times, that’s magnifi ed.”

• “Spend time with people who can get you where you want to go.”• “Some things that worked for your father may not work for you.”• “People can stop you from being successful – old customers,

employees, etc.,” said Wynn. “The top 1% of successful companies moves forward.”

• “If you can’t manage the future, you don’t have a future.”• The secret of success: “Do little of what you do badly and more of

what you do well.”• “If you’re a bad example, you’re not a leader because you can’t

lead by example.”• “Do not let the media dictate your future, or what your life looks

like or what your business looks like.”• “Change is not the issue; resistance to change is the issue.”• “Never forget your value,” Wynn concluded. “Companies are not

developed with vision but with leadership.” Sara Maras: Enterprise Resource Planning - How It Can Help Improve the Bottom LineManufacturing shop management systems have evolved over the past fi ve decades from the “inventory control systems” of “LIFO FIFO” (Last In-First Out or First In-First Out), to the “Material Requirements Planning” (MRP) of the 1970s. MRP dealt with batch sizes, inventory and forecasting, among other elements.

AMBA 17

y in a rugged bridge mill! gh speed solutions for your shop.

ABSOLUTE PRECISION

800.852.7825 │ AMTsales@absolutemachine.comwww.absolutemachine.com

Great value for mold/die!

Hi-Net DMC-2100HN shown

Hi-Net DMC high-speed bridge mills│ XYZ travels up to 161" x 90" x 42" │ Table loads up to 22,000 lb │ Rapid traverse up to 1,181 IPM │ Box ways in Y, Z │ Heavy-duty Schneeberger roller linear ways on X axis │ Fanuc 18iM-B controls with AI NANO HPCC

Spindles:Heavy cutting 15,000 RPM HSK-100A spindle │ 56 HP │ 300 ft-lb torque @ 1,000 RPMMedium roughing, finishing 24,000 RPM HSK-63A spindle │ 31 HP │ 53 ft-lb torque @ 3,000 RPMMedium roughing, finishing 18,000 RPM HSK-63A spindle │ 30 HP │ 85 ft-lb torque @ 2,400 RPM

•

•

•

18 AMBA

In the 1980’s, there was MRP II, which brought sales, fi nancials, Just-In-Time and production planning into the mix.

When the 1990’s came along, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) came on the scene, and there were often questions as to exactly what “Enterprise Resource” meant. Of course the enterprise is the business and the resources are all of those things that make the business go. ERP was about “implementing and integrating non-manufacturing functions in to the business,” said Maras. General ERP included things like production planning which extended to back to purchasing and forward to shipping; bookkeeping and accounting activities and resources management.

By 2000, we began seeing Extended ERP. That moved shop management from the production fl oor and provided a way to integrate all of the activities in the shop that went from the front offi ce to the factory fl oor and on out the back door.

Maras said that extended ERP does three things:

1) It put input data in one location2) It allowed sharing common data, processes and practices across

the entire organization can be on the same page.3) It incorporates effi ciency and reduces redundant activities, such as

performing data entry tasks again and again as the project moves through the shop.

CAD software can automatically create a Bill of Materials in ERP. ERP provides connectivity to one central place for information, and brings different tooling systems together.

One of the newer elements of ERP is Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and there are several of these programs such as Goldmine or ACT! which allows sales people and project engineers to review phone logs, track RFQs, make follow-up contacts, etc.

ERP also provides Workfl ow Management, an automated way of pushing the pieces of the business through the entire ERP system. How will changes in materials price, materials delivery, etc. impact scheduling? ERP also puts all data in one place, to communicate with the system, provide a workfl ow link in real time to shop fl oor data, said Maras. Shops can create a virtual communication link in which customers can look up their own data to, for example, see where along the process the mold build is.

Maras said that there are several reasons to automate the shop. “Many companies are pressured to do more with less, and some 44% responded affi rmatively to this in a survey. It allows you to respond to pricing changes quickly so that the impact on the job can be readily seen. It helps management set priorities - to pull data from the shop fl oor and see what’s happening.

Also, ERP software such as JobBoss allows for business process improvement by eliminating duplication in data inputting; it provides a strategic method of operation - the need to tie multiple departments together by providing the information each needs to get the job out the door; and it helps companies who implement ERP have a competitive edge.

“When it comes to implementing an ERP system, people resist change, so the challenge is to prepare for the future,” Maras said. “A good ERP system will provide a way to measure the key factors for success vs. the key factors for failure.”

Best Practices Panel

The panel was moderated by Roger Klouda (MSI Mold Builders), and participants included Keith Fox (Ameritech Die & Mold), Tim Holland (Metro Mold & Design), and Todd Finley (Commercial Tool and Die).

Roger Klouda implemented Lean Manufacturing principles at MSI Mold Builders several years ago, and has found that has made his company more competitive. “Implementation [of lean] is a lot of work, but the paybacks are extremely valuable,” he told attendees. “We’ve fi red customers because we couldn’t make money on their work, as our system showed us, and we were ‘selling through’ a lot of stuff.”

Roger said that lean is an intangible, but MSI has standardized its processes a lot, and reduced inventory. He compared his three shops – the headquarters facility in Iowa, the shop in Arkansas, and the newest facility in South Carolina. He found that each shop had strengths and weaknesses. “In one area a shop excelled and in another they did terrible,” he said, adding that a lot of the problem was under-utilization of equipment. “We have so much technology that we don’t use effi ciently,” he said generally of the moldmaking industry. “We get as much as we need to do the job and no more. We need to share our equipment and the technology we have with each other.”

Tim Holland told the attendees that one of his company’s best practices is coming to the annual AMBA conventions. He pointed out some of his favorite convention speakers and topics and fi rst on his list was Steve Lefever, a business CPA and comedian who for fi ve consecutive years spent an entire morning at the AMBA Conventions teaching mold company owners and managers how to understand the intricacies of their business. “How many people wish your equipment would turn to dust in fi ve years?” Holland asked. “You’d understand your costs, ratios, etc. From those presentations, I got an accounting fi rm to work with us.”

He then pointed out Plante Moran’s Moldmaker Survey presentations over the past few years. “I became a Jeff Mengel groupie,” said Holland, “and I do his benchmarking survey every other year because it benefi ts us.”

From Glenn Starkey, Holland said he’s “learned about networking and looking at the world differently. From the High-Speed Machining presentations over the years, Holland was incented to add high-speed machining in 1997.

From AMBA Convention presentations on ERP, he’s launched an ERP system, implemented it and got a handle on the company’s true costs, produces a monthly report card to see how Metro Mold is doing and “where we need improvement.”

Holland even gets lessons pool side while getting his annual tan! “Some of the pool side lessons include “how to get your company to run without you. I did it in two years then got bored because I had nothing to do,” he quipped.

Another lesson he learned at the AMBA Conventions, “You’ve got to

AMBA 19

Holder Steel for improved plastics mold tooling

Today, RoyAlloy™ Stainless steel is the preferred mold base steel of choice throughout North America. RoyAlloy™ demonstrates significant improvements, including enhanced machinability,improved stability, greater toughness, better weldability, and more consistent uniformity and hardness when compared with 420F/1.2085.

Edro Specialty Steels, Inc.California - Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

West: 800.368.3376East & Midwest: 888.368.3376

Appenweier, GermanyTel +49 (0) 7805 91579-0email: royalloy@edro.com

www.edro.com

™

have a sales person. I’m not good at that. I’m afraid when confronted by a customer, so I back down, but the sales guy doesn’t,” Holland said. “Sales people come at it from a different angle. If you have the loser customer-of-the-month, no one wants it. So, I don’t talk to the customers, the sales people do. It has helped us to grow.”

Todd Finley said one of his company’s best practices is to provide sampling services through CG Plastics, the molding arm of Commercial. They have six Van Dorn presses and provide these services for customers. Commercial Tool and Die has two shifts and a weekend shift that works four 12-hour days but get paid for fi ve.

“Designing in Unigraphics allows us to prototype, and we have automatic programming so that every designer is designing exactly the same way,” Finley said. “Our strength is the CNC department, and because of that we do a lot of outside contract machining to provide maximum utilization for our equipment because we needed to. CNC equipment is a heavy investment so we need to get maximum utilization.”

Commercial Tool implemented a system that automatically generates bills of materials and creates purchase orders. “That required a lot of focus,” he said.

“We use our quality management system and write up corrective actions, and every employee has the opportunity to log a disruption -- anything that disrupts their job,” he said. “You have to have a management team that is open to change to implement new systems and processes like this.”

Commercial Tool tracks machine utilization on all of its machinery. “We thought we were running 70-80% uptime until we started tracking utilization and found out otherwise,” Finley said. “We then created a Pareto chart that tells us why we’re not running.”

Commercial Tool is also teaching its employees to be problem solvers. “Guys can identify problems and complain, but we’re training them in problem solving.”

The company also has an apprenticeship program and Commercial Tool hired a full-time instructor – a former CNC operator who became a teacher. “We made him productive within two weeks of hiring him,” Finley said.

Keith Fox said that because 60% of Ameritech’s employees are under 30 years of age, they decided to be an engineering driven company. “The mold designer is the only one who sees and knows the mold before its assembled, which makes the engineering process key to success,” he said. “We can sit with six guys in a meeting for two hours and save 100 hours of build time.”

Additionally, Fox noted that “The days of building custom components are over. We use standard components from Progressive and D-M-E, and as a result Ameritech has come a long way,” he said.

Ameritech implemented a scheduling system that helps the shop fl oor understand what they’re giving to Ameritech and what is needed to meet deliveries. “We’re constantly looking at how we shave more and more time off of jobs,” said Fox. “Time is all we sell.”

Also, added Fox, “We send a lot of our molds to Mexico so repairs are important, we have to do them quickly.”

When it comes to the “Prima Donna” idea of the moldmaker, Fox said Ameritech has no Prima Donnas. “Prima donnas don’t play well with others, and we want people who are going to do the right thing with the right attitude,” he said. “We have no shop foreman, no job linkers. The

20 AMBA

job goes through the shop fl oor without supervision and hits delivery. We will design and build the mold to the model. We built the system it takes to build a mold. This is what it takes to get the job done and we do it.”

Terry Schwenk: Building Molds for Optimum ManufacturingTerry Schwenk of Process & Design Technologies (Kenosha, WI) has been in the molding and mold manufacturing business for 35 years. He understands that mold cooling is critical to optimum manufacturing, and showed attendees how Turbulent Flor Cooling vs. Evaporative Cooling can make a difference in processing through improvements in cooling effi ciencies.

“The science of heat removal is not complicated, but it’s tedious,” he said. “Heat travels via conduction, convention or radiation from areas of high heat to areas of low heat. Heat removal equals cooling.”

The key to building a mold for optimum molding is to determine how much heat you have to dissipate and how many gallons of water will it take to remove the calories [of heat]. Laminar fl ow removes one calorie per gram of water per degree of temperature rise. Once it reaches that capacity, it can’t cool any further, because the water close to the wall in laminar fl ow absorbs all the heat energy.

Turbulent fl ow exposes each gram of water to the cooling channel, thus changing the amount of energy and each gallon becomes more effi cient. Large molds require more energy to perform turbulent fl ow than smaller ones, Schwenk pointed out.

“Cold water does not ensure high effi ciency of heat removal, because of viscosity changes in cold water,” he said. “Warmer water can be more effi cient at heat removal than cold water. It’s strictly a speed issue. Turbulence is velocity, not disruption.”

Schwenk recommends that water lines be placed in the fl oor of a molding facility for optimum energy savings. “Running the water lines overhead and down to the press is okay, but pushing that water back to the ceiling takes a huge amount of pressure,” he explained. “It takes less energy if the lines are in the fl oor because you only have to pump the water as high as the mold. You really have to look at energy costs, and what it costs to push energy through the system.”

Another tip Schwenk gave, “If the tool takes a couple of hours to stabilize after installing it in the press, the water circuits are NOT fi ne. With today’s machining and technology we can achieve better water lines. Conformal cooling reduces the distance water has to travel which makes it more effi cient at heat removal.”

Technology Panel: Hard-Milling Made Easy

The panel consisted of Sean Shafer (Makino), Ron Field (Millstar) and Rob Keenan (Seco Tool). Shafer said that the hard-milling process can eliminate benching, shorten lead times, can be a replacement for jig grinding, reduce cycle times by 50%, replace EDMing and Carbide machining.

Field said that Millstar has a new product, a high-end solid carbide bit and innovative inserts for 60 Rockwell material that can help moldmakers reduce cost and manufacturing time. The new innovative tool coatings, such as XRN (Chrome), TLN (Exalon), and HSN (Bronze - the highest heat resistance) offer moldmakers some good options when it comes to hard milling.

With the new high-feed tools (60 HRc) you get longer tool life, and at 68 HRc you get true hard milling capability.

Keenan told the attendees that “You don’t need high RPMs for hard milling.” High speed machining requires high performance machining (rigid setup) and high feed machining. “You approach the steel differently,” he said.

Tool life can be extended in hard milling applications by using small depths of cut. The tool holder is important, and magnetic holders are becoming the way to go. Chip evacuation areas are critical to the success of the hard million operation, Keenan said. “High-feed million is effective for hard milling.” ❏

Portable Non-Destructive Hardness Testing

... more than 50 years of know-how you can measure!

Proceq USA, Inc.117 Corporation DriveAliquippa, PA 15001Tel: +1-724-512-0330Fax: +1-724-512-0331info-usa@proceq.comwww.proceq.com

Equotip Piccolo 2For real-time monitoring and user specific conversions. With additional software.

Greatest Accuracy and best Repetition Rate!

Contact Proceq to find out how we can solve your application needs.

Why I Joined the AMBA:“We joined AMBA because of the involvement with Congress on issues such as free trade, and their meetings with the U.S. International Trade Commission. We wanted to be part of the more local and national involvement in the issues that affect our industry.” Matt Metcalf, VP/Finance, Colonial Machine Co. , Kent, OH

AMBA 21

DMS (Windsor, ON) DMS (Schaumburg, IL) DMS (Fountain Valley, CA) DMS (Taunton, MA)

1-800-265-4885

“The secret is out”Experienced personal service matters…

Your source for quality mold components for over 40 years.

DMS is the AMBA Moldmakers’ “EMS”

www.dmscomponents.com

DMS has consistently been a market leader in new product development and prides itself on being first with innovations that have benefited moldmaking worldwide, with a commitment to producing and delivering quality products on time at competitive prices. With more than 2000 customers and numerous distributors in Europe, Canada, USA, Asia, Africa and Australasia, DMS has a product

range of over 12,000 items, including mold bases, ejector pins, core pins, leader pins, sleeve ejectors, blade ejectors, bushings, tapered interlocks, sprue bushings, locating rings, unique mechanisms, date stamps, gating inserts, hot runner systems, heating and cooling, and mold polishing items.

22 AMBA

Thank You to Our Convention Sponsors & Tabletop Exhibitors

Brush Wellman (NYSE:BW), a subsidiary of Brush Engineer Materials Inc., is the world’s leading supplier of high performance alloys, providing high reliability

copper beryllium and spinodal alloy products with unparalleled global service. High Strength mold alloys include MoldMAX®, MoldMAX XL® and MoldMAX SC® for full core and cavity, core pins and hot runner components. The proven leader in developing and growing the use of high strength – high conductivity copper alloys for molds used in the plastics industry, Brush Wellman's mold alloys are supported worldwide through a network of Ph.D. metallurgists and experienced application engineers.

Creative Evolution provides high performance milling machines and controls for moldmakers

worldwide. Products focus on value and the proven performance and innovation of the Creative Evolution CNC control, conceived and developed over the past 15 years at Creative Evolution, located in Schaumburg, IL. Complete Creative Evolution machines offer the highest performance, designed from the ground up for the Creative Evolution CNC. Retrofi t controls update existing CNC machines to the latest capabilities and performance. Creative Evolution sponsors and participates in seminars and workshops, providing ongoing education about the latest developments in programming, cutters and tooling, and machine tool technology. See us on the web at http://www.creat.com .

D-M-E Company, an essential resource to customers worldwide, offers the industry’s broadest range of market-leading products. Through its specialized

manufacturing centers of excellence and strong strategic global partnerships, D-M-E brings to market the highest quality products at the lowest cost to customers around the world. Global D-M-E product platforms provide consistency and reliability to international customers who are assured that they’re getting the same high-quality products worldwide. Unmatched D-M-E engineering expertise and industry knowledge continue to drive innovative technologies, such as products that support the growing markets for “green” materials and elastomer processing.

Dynamic International has grown from its native Wisconsin & Michigan roots to become a national sales enterprise comprising a network of distributorships and a

multi-million dollar international corporate entity. We provide state-of-the-art Die/Mold machine solutions for a broad-base of discriminating North American Companies. Dynamic International has always been dedicated to developing and maintaining long term relationships with our customers. We continually work and monitor our performance in order to provide customers with superior service. Our achievement completely depends on the satisfaction with the service and support we give our customers. We are proud to say that over 80% of our customers are multiple machine users. Please visit our website at www.dynamicintl.com.

Erowa Technology, Inc. is a full service supplier of palletization and automation systems for the North American market. Our productivity solutions begin with the unique design of standard or custom work holding products for any

combination of machining operations. Once preset, the chucks, pallets and WEDM tooling allow workpieces to move from operation to operation without time consuming re-setting. Our products are manufactured to deliver high accuracy and repeatability. Our extensive know how in manufacturing will guarantee the best products, on-time delivery and competitive pricing.

Exact JobBOSS is the most widely used quoting, tracking, and shipping control software. By delivering visibility and control over everything going on in the

shop, JobBOSS has become the solution more shops that make a specifi c mold for a specifi c customer rely on to improve productivity, profi tability and competitiveness. It gives you the ability to manage data for all of the jobs in your shops, whether they are simple or complex. And the fl exibility to control jobs at the top level or blow out all components and see the detail.

Industeel is a subsidiary of ArcelorMittal, the largest steel producer in the world today. Specializing in advanced technology carbon steels, alloy,

and stainless steels, Industeel produces a line of premium mold and tool steels: Superplast® SP300, SP350, and SP400. SP300, SP350, and SP400, offer signifi cant production advantages and benefi ts over traditional mold and tool steels in the areas of: machinability, thermal conductivity, welding, graining, and guaranteed hardness throughout the block. In today’s market, this translates into improved productivity and competitiveness for toolmakers. Superplast® products are sold and available through an exclusive global network of distributors.

Injection Molding Magazine provides how-to information on mold design, construction, maintenance, CAD/CAM, mold

analysis, mold materials, metalworking, and other topics critical to tool designers, tooling engineers, moldmakers, and tooling buyers. IMM is proud to carry advice from mold expert Bob Hatch in our regular column, The Troubleshooter. With unique stories of collaboration that show the way to further improvement, IMM is dedicated to contributing to the health of the moldmaking industry in the U.S.

Makino is a global provider of advanced machining technology and application support, where new thinking takes shape for the metalcutting industries. Makino

manufactures a full line of high performance CNC horizontal and vertical machining centers in 3, 4 or 5 axis, as well as Ram and Wire EDM machines, for die and mold applications. Makino manufacturing and service centers are located in the United States, Japan, Germany, Singapore, Italy, France, Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, China, Mexico, Brazil, and India, and are supported by a worldwide distributor network. For more information call 1.800.552.3288, or visit Makino on the web at www.makino.com.

AMBA 23

MILLSTAR is a global manufacturer and supplier of high performance cutting tools with special focus on manufacturing in the die and mold, automotive,

aerospace and medical industries. MILLSTAR products are manufactured in the USA under ISO 9001 and are designed for conventional as well as high speed and hard milling of die/mold steels, aerospace materials, non-ferrous metals and carbon graphite. MILLSTAR’s very extensive range of tools offer the latest in profi le and contour milling technology, providing to the user a competitive edge of shorter machining and through-put lead time, and the advantages of higher milling accuracy and true, smooth contouring results.

Since 1972, Mold Base Industries, Inc. manufactures quality standard and custom mold bases; rough or fi nish ground plates, also available we have a full line of Self-lube components. Each base is built to your specs and completed in the shortest possible lead time. We do not precut plates enabling our customer to have the size base that fi ts their mold. Or do we stock standard

bases allowing our customers to relocate components without extra costs. Mold bases are fi nish-machined so you simply install cavities, cores, and auxiliary items, making your mold ready for testing. Nothing is too complicated for MBI! Send your fi les to estimating@moldbase.com.

MoldMaking Technology magazine is the only trade publication dedicated exclusively to the engineering, building and

repairing of molds as well as the management and business issues, challenges and strategies associated with today’s mold manufacturing facilities through technical articles and application reviews. The magazine also presents its annual trade show and conference, MoldMaking Expo; its monthly e-newsletter, MMT Insider and its Web site, www.moldmakingtechnology.com.

Progressive Components present- ed an array of recently released products at AMBA’s Annual

Convention, including its new Friction Puller, the BX Inch Series Hot Sprue Bushing, Needle Bearing Locks, SRT Slide Retainers and Roller Pullers from the exclusive FrictionFree™ line, the VersaLifter and expanded offerings from its line of Alignment products, Date Stamps, Collapsible Cores, UniLifters® and more. Based in Wauconda, Illinois, Progressive continues to design and develop industry-leading standards that speed mold building and reduce costs and downtime. Our complete catalog, including product demos, may be viewed at www.procomps.com, or email us at sales@procomps.com for a copy.

Seco is a leader in metalworking technology and offers solutions in milling, drilling, turning, threading and tool systems including an

extensive range of 3D Milling products specifi cally designed for the Mold & Die Industry. We are committed to meeting our customers’ needs for increased productivity, higher quality and improved cost-effectiveness by providing application specifi c tooling and unparalleled technical support. Seco markets a full range of cutting tools and related products through a network of more than 400 authorized distributors throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Sturdell Industries, Inc. is a world class Mold Steel supplier that excels at “Lead Time Solutions” by providing “Value-Added”

machining services, as well as Finished Machine plates to advance the progress as well as enhance profi tability of the American Mold Builder. These In-house, “Value-Added” services include: CNC Gundrilling, Finish Pockets & Leader Pins, 3D contouring, CNC Milling and Boring Mill services, and Mattison and Blanchard Grinding up to 120”. Sturdell Industries, Inc. is ISO 9001:2000 certifi ed and has been in business since 1986. For fast quotes please email: quotes@sturdell.comWeb Site: WWW.STURDELL.COM

System 3R was established in 1967 in Stockholm, Sweden building tooling for EDM machines used

in the Tool & Die and Mold making industry. Production operations have expanded throughout Sweden, Switzerland and Japan. System 3R has Sales offi ces in 15 countries and Distributors in all major industrial countries. As the Mold making business expanded the System 3R product line grew to include automation systems for EDM and high speed milling machines. The demands of automation created the need for a software system to manage theses work-cells. System 3R “WorkShop Manager” software has become so popular that it has grown into its own business unit.

Since 1967, Vega Tool Corporation has been actively selling cutting tools to the metal cutting industry. With the introduction of our very own Vega

Taps in 1988, we continue the tradition of selling high performance cutting taps, forming taps, drills and thread mills. In 2001 we introduced Hitachi Tool Engineering to the North American market with a product line-card of indexable tools and solid carbide tools specifi cally aimed at the die mold industry. Innovations in substrates, cutting geometries and coatings allow our tools to expand the limits of your machine’s potential.

Ultra Polishing, Inc. has been in business since 1987. We offer full support for our customers including traveling and polishing

in doing precision benching and polishing. We are specialists in our fi eld. Our three specialized departments work with you to achieve your deadlines. We have the capabilities to operate around the clock 24/7. We offer pickup and delivery of molds up to 30,000 tons. We maintain the highest level of security while your molds are in our facility. Please visit our website at www.ultrapolishing.com. Phone: 847-352-5249.

YRC Transportation - AMBA Members save on your freight shipments with YRC! Members receive a 62% discount on qualifying less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments. Yellow and Roadway have integrated networks,

services, and capabilities to become YRC. This gives you increased coverage, service options, reliability, quality, and speed. YRC provides members comprehensive regional and national coverage, including the most extensive inter-Canada service. More customers rely on YRC for their big shipments than any other provider. Start taking advantage of your association discount with YRC today by contacting your association benefi ts coordinator at 800.647.3061 or associations@yrcw.com. ❏

24 AMBA

American Mold Builders AssociSan Juan, P

AMBA 25

ation 2009 Annual ConventionPuerto Rico

Ph

oto

s ©

2009

To

dd

Sch

uet

t, C

reat

ive

Tech

no

log

y C

orp

.

26 AMBA

AMBA Convention Beach Olympics EventAt the recent AMBA convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico, we held our fi rst Beach Olympics event. The attendees were grouped into seven teams, and our tabletop exhibitors were paired up as co-captains for the teams. The beach Olympics teams competed in six very competitive beach events, including a:

• Sand Castle Building Contest• Hula Hooping Contest• Water Balloon Toss• Fill-the-Bucket Relay• Frisbee Toss• Blow-up Dolphin Relay Race

At fi rst everyone seemed very reluctant to participate, but the event turned out to be a fun, silly, enjoyable time for everybody. Teams got points for each event that they won, and the highest point level determined the winners.

The fi rst place team, and recipients of the Gold medal was Team #7, co-captained by Todd Schuett, of Creative Evolution, and John Roskos, of System 3R.

Beach Olympics, fi rst place team.

Second place winners, and recipients of the Silver medal was Team #4, co-captained by Mary Forbes of Mold Base Industries, and Ron Field of Millstar.

Beach Olympics, second place team.

And the third place winning team, the Bronze medal recipients were Team #3, co-captained by Rob Esling of Industeel, and Sean Shafer of Makino.

Beach Olympics, third place team. ❏

Point of View – AMBA Convention

“My wife and I had a wonderful time in San Juan, PR. This was the fi rst year that I have attended an AMBA annual meeting and it will not be the last. It was a great experience and I plan on going every year from now on. The speakers were all great; I got something useful from everyone I heard. The discussion panels were also helpful in learning what other companies are doing to solve common problems in the industry. I also met a lot of wonderful people. I can’t wait for Orlando next year. See you there!”Jonathan Filer, Filer Micro Welding, Forest City, NC ❏

AMBA Convention Locations

AMBA has been serving the mold building industry since 1973, and hosting annual conventions every year for it’s members since 1980. The upcoming 2010 convention in Orlando, FL will mark the 30th anniversary of AMBA conventions! See all the places where the AMBA has met in the 30-years of hosting this popular annual event. ❏

Year LocationMeeting Dates

1980 Lincolnshire, IL 1/25/1980

1981 Las Vegas, NV 2/25 - 3/1/81

1982 San Diego, CA 3/17 - 3/21/82

1983 Cancun, Mexico 2/22 - 2/27/83

1984 Lake Tahoe, CA/NV 2/29 - 3/4/84

1985 Orlando, FL 2/27 - 3/3/85

1986 Scottsdale, AZ 3/5 - 3/9/86 3/5

1987 Waikiki, Oahu 3/3 - 3/8/87

1988 Lake Tahoe, CA/NV 3/9 - 3/13/88

1989 Bal Harbour, FL 3/8 - 3/12/89

1990 San Antonio, TX 3/7 - 3/11/90

1991 New Orleans, LA 3/13 - 3/17/91

1992 Honolulu, HI 3/10 - 3/15/92

1993 Orlando, FL 3/10 - 3/14/93

1994 Scottsdale, AZ 3/8 - 3/13/94

1995 Nassau, Bahamas 2/26 - 3/3/95

1996 San Diego, CA 3/5 - 3/10/96

1997 Cancun, Mexico 2/23 - 2/28/97

1998 Maui, HI 2/21 - 2/27/98

1999 Clearwater, FL 3/2 - 3/7/99

2000 Paradise Island, Bahamas 3/5 - 3/10/00

2001 Scottsdale, AZ 2/27 - 3/4/01

2002 San Juan, Puerto Rico 3/3 - 3/8/02

2003 Amelia Island, FL 3/18 - 3/23/03

2004 Cabo San Lucas, Mexico 2/29 - 3/5/04

2005 Key West, FL 3/2 - 3/6/05

2006 Maui, HI 3/4 - 3/9/06

2007 St. Thomas, VI 3/3 - 3/8/07

2008 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 3/1 - 3/6/08

2009 San Juan, Puerto Rico 2/28 - 3/5/09

2010 Orlando, FL 3/21 - 3/25/10

AMBA 27

10260 Indiana Court., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730 Tel: 909.941.0600 800.432.6653 Fax: 909.941.0190Email: albaplas@albaent.com Website: www.albaent.com

Micro PrecisionMolding Machines

Quick Knockout Couplers5 Sizes Up to 5000 Ton Machines

Hot Runner SystemsPin Point, Valve Gate, Multi Gate,

Hot Edge Gate,Stack Molds

HydraulicCylinders

Locking Cylinders

Mold ComponentsSlide Elements, Latch Systems, Etc.

Vertical

Add OnInjection

Unit

AMBA NewsAMBA News

AMBA Exhibits at Plastec West 2009

The AMBA national offi ce exhibited at this year’s PLASTEC West show in Anaheim, CA on February 10-12. Our goal while exhibiting at the show was to promote AMBA members and U.S. mold manufacturing, and to talk to attendees about AMBA membership and partnership.

Show traffi c was very good, and a lead list of potential mold buyers was distributed to all AMBA members after the show.

A special THANK YOU is deserved by the members listed below who volunteered their time to help staff the AMBA and assist with answering technical questions from show attendees.

• Dave LaGrow, Maximum Mold • Tony May, Pyramid Mold & Tool • Eric Kinter, Target Precision • Clare Goldsberry, Pro Write Communication

• John Martin, Mo-Tech • Dave Rawlings, Mo-Tech • Robert Vaughan, Dauntless Molds

AMBA To Meet In Washington, D.C. Fall Conference Will Target Congressional Leaders

In its ongoing efforts to bring awareness to Congressional leaders in Washington, D.C., the AMBA announced that it will be holding its annual Fall Conference for 2009 in the nation’s capital for a second consecutive year.

“This is a continuation of the efforts the AMBA began in 2008 with the Fall Conference that was held in Washington, D.C. and the Fly-In in which the AMBA participated the last week of February this year that was so successful,” said Melissa Millhuff, Executive Director of the AMBA.

The AMBA has been working with other manufacturing and industry trade groups to bring to the attention of Congresspeople the plight of U.S. manufacturing generally and the American mold manufacturing industry specifi cally.

The 2009 Fall Conference will be held from Sunday, September 13 through Tuesday, September 15, at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capital Hill. The event will begin with an opening night cocktail party on Sunday, September 13. On Monday, September 14, from 8 am until 12 noon, there will be a strategy briefi ng. The rest of the day September 14, and all day September 15, attendees will meet with their respective Congress people in the House and Senate.

This year’s Fall Conference will be one year before the 2010 election season when many of the Congressional delegates will be up for re-

28 AMBA

AMBA 29

MADE IN USA

election. Millhuff commented, “This is grass roots politics at its best. We’ll see who is with us on the issues that matter. We’ll see how many votes it will take to get them out of offi ce if they don’t vote in a way that promotes U.S. manufacturing.”

OEM E-Newsletter & Mold Buyers Corner UpdateAMBA is happy to announce that the Mold Buyers Corner on the AMBA website is getting lots of attention. There are one to two requests on the Mold Buyers Corner each day to sign up for the new OEM E-Newsletter. These requests are coming from very large OEM’s throughout the U.S., including many Fortune 500 companies. We’re also getting several questions each month from mold users to AMBA members.

The new OEM E-Newsletter, sent on the third Wednesday of each month to hundreds of OEMs, is also being received quite well. There is still some ad space available to mold companies that want to promote their company/capabilities to this audience of OEM mold buyers. The next few months are just about full and expected to sell out, so call Sue Daniels at the AMBA offi ce (847-222-9402) to reserve ad space.

AMBA to Exhibit at NPE / MME 2009Visit us at NPE booth #104020 in the North American Moldmakers Pavilion at McCormick Place, Chicago, IL on June 22-26, 2009.

New YRC Shipping Discounts for AMBA MembersAmerican Mold Builders Association and YRC are pleased to announce a new 70% discount for all AMBA Members effective April 1, 2009! This discount applies towards qualifying less-than-truckload shipments through the YRC program. We are also announcing that we have added new discounts on specialized solutions from YRC. Members will now receive:

Shipping ServicesSavings

• National and Regional LTL Shipments 70%

• YRC Time Advantage™ delivers highly reliable expedited capabilities throughout North America, including to and from Canada at a competitive price

10%

• YRC Time Critical™ delivers highly reliable expedited and time-defi nite capabilities anywhere throughout North America, including to and from Canada

10%

• Sealed Divider™ is ideal for products that are diffi cult or expensive to package for shipping, are of high value, or need verifi able security throughout transit

5%

• Waived fee for Residential Delivery $81.00+

• Waived charge for Tradeshow Pickup and Delivery $37.00

• Waived charge for Shipment Notifi cation $36.00

• Waived charge for Single Shipments $31.50

• Call to learn about even more additional savings!

AMBA would like to thank you for your membership and continued support of our YRC partner program. If you are currently enrolled in the AMBA | YRC partner program, your account will automatically update to the new discount on April 1, 2009. To enroll in the program, simply contact your association benefi ts coordinator by phone, e-mail, or online. 1.800.647.3061 | Associations@yrcw.com | www.enrollhere.net. ❏

High Speed MillingCreative Evolution CNC

C r e a t i v e E v o l u t i o n unt ve S hau urg

hone http reat o

Order Gold Plates for all Your U.S. Built Molds!

We now offer two sizes of “Made in USA” plates to put on all your U.S. built molds!

1-1/2” x 2” size for

$1 each plus s/h

3” X 4” size for

$2 each plus s/h

The new updated AMBA logo and the words “Made in USA” are imprinted on the plates. Order your mold plates today, and highlight

your “Made in the USA” status!

Email Kim Cobb at kcobb@amba.org or call the AMBA offi ce to order your gold plates today!

30 AMBA

Dates To RememberKeeping your Moldmaking Competitive in a Global MarketplaceJune 23, 2009, Chicago , IL, MoldMaking ExpoThis interactive four-hour workshop focuses on late-breaking technology and techniques for optimal 3, 4 and 5-axis milling productivity for molds and dies. Highly attended for the past three years, this session is constantly updated to keep its content up to date. Industry experts in programming, tooling, and CNC milling technology interactively discuss and demonstrate the tools and methods of using them to maximize your equipment’s and your people’s productivity. Actual application examples provide the basis for much of the materials, including extensive video demonstrations. Q & A time will follow the presentation. AMBA - sponsored seminar with:Steve McBride, OSG Tap & Die; Chris Renaud, CAM-TOOL (Graphic Products North America); Todd Schuett, Creative Evolution More information will be available soon.

AMBA Fall ConferenceSeptember 13-15, 2009, Washington D.C.Save these dates! In its ongoing efforts to bring awareness to Congressional leaders in Washington, D.C., the AMBA announced that it will be holding its annual Fall Conference for 2009 in the Nation’s capital for a second consecutive year. The 2009 Fall Conference will be held from Sunday, Sept. 13 through Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capital Hill. The event will begin with an opening night cocktail party on Sunday, Sept. 13. On Monday, Sept. 14, from 8 am until 12 noon, there will be a strategy briefi ng. The rest of the day Sept. 14, and all day Sept.15, attendees will meet with their respective Congress people in the House and Senate.

Dates To RememberAMBA Annual ConventionMarch 21-25, 2010, Orlando, FLMore information will be available soon, so please save the dates! Please join us in Orlando in 2010!

SME 2009 EastecMay 19 - 21, 2009 - W. Springfi eld, MAFor nearly three decades, EASTEC has been an East Coast manufacturing tradition. Each year, nearly 14,000 manufacturers, plant managers and shop owners from throughout the region’s diverse industries visit EASTEC to evaluate advanced technologies, production methods and management concepts. From the latest multitasking machine tools to lean strategies, EASTEC keeps East Coast manufacturing competitive. http://www.sme.org/cgi-bin/get-event.pl?--001793-000007-home--SME-

Design & Manufacturing New EnglandMay 20 - 21, 2009 - Boston, MADesign & Manufacturing New England showcases the latest advances in computer-aided design and manufacturing, rapid prototyping, engineering, components, production and automation machinery, lasers, motors and drives, packaging, materials handling, electronics, quality systems, networking, enterprise IT, and a full range of contract service providers. http://www.devicelink.com/expo/oemne08/

Chapter Spotlight - Chicago ChapterBy: Laura Anderson, Chicago Chapter Administrator

Chicago is where it all began 36 years ago, and the Chicago chapter remains one of the largest chapters in the AMBA organization, with over 40 member shops. The Chicago chapter has historically served as a force in the mold making industry to provide our members with networking opportunities with other member shops, suppliers and vendors. We also advocate on behalf of our industry with local, state and federal legislators to infl uence policy that affects our members.

In 2001, the Chicago chapter founded “Save American Manufacturing.” This group represented not only local AMBA member shops, but regional U.S.-based manufacturing companies in an effort to educate both employees and government representatives on the importance of manufacturing in the U.S. and the value our industry brings to this country. Today, these activities have been folded back into the umbrella of our chapter activities. Our members continue to provide a strong voice for the industry through participation in advocacy events including the recent Washington, D.C. fl y-in as well as the news conference from the Capitol steps that was held in conjunction with the AMBA Fall Conference.

In addition to the training and industry meetings sponsored by our national offi ce, the Chicago chapter plans quarterly meetings that

Mike Armbrust, Chicago Chapter President

provide our members the opportunity to network, provide valuable insight into issues facing our industry and simply give our members a chance to share business tips and new technology to help our members become the best the industry has to offer. Our chapter meetings cover topics such as new Lien Laws passed in our state, interactive best practice meetings, human resources expertise and updates from our national headquarters.

Mike Armbrust, vice president of Mako Mold, is the Chicago Chapter President, said the Chicago chapter has had a long history of providing its members with successful networking opportunities as well as technical programs. We have a membership that goes beyond peer to peer “shop talk” and we’re proud of the many personal relationships the Chicago chapter has fostered. We look forward to continuing to serve our members in striving for continuous improvement and establishing our value in a global economy. ❏

Chapter News California ChapterThe chapter held a general meeting on March 10. Their guest speaker for the evening was Jonathan Winters of PCS Company, who spoke on Mold coating and plating issues. Chapter members also discussed the AMBA scholarship opportunity, the upcoming NPE/MME trade show in Chicago, and the recent Anaheim Plastics show.

Carolinas ChapterThe chapter met on March 11 after the Plastec South trade show. It was an informal event to meet with other moldmaker chapter members, and network with their peers.

AMBA 31

info@wi-engraving.com

• Latest Technology in CNC & Robotics• Experienced in Tight Tolerances• Successful Nationwide Shipping• SATISFACTION GUARANTEED

Owner/OperatorDan Newell

Over 30 years experience“I do WHATEVER it takes”

Dan

High SpeedElectrode Machining

www.graphitexpress.comdan@graphitexpress.com 616-430-4540 cell

Dates To Remember

Plastec EastJune 8 - 10, 2009 - New York, NYThe largest advances in primary processing machinery, computer-aided design and manufacturing, production machinery, contract services, materials, molds and mold components, automation technology, materials handling/logistics, enterprise IT...and much more. http://www.devicelink.com/expo/plastecshows/

NPE 2009/ MME 2009June 22 - 26, 2009 – McCormick Place, Chicago, ILNo matter what kind of products you manufacture, at NPE2009, we speak one language—plastics. Join the global conversation by exhibiting at this premier industry event. From our international scope to our profi ciency in reaching across all supply channels and down all vertical markets, NPE2009 is designed to accelerate sales, provide you with unparalleled client access and demonstrate innovative new technologies. www.npe.org http://www.moldmakingexpo.com/

Plastec / Plastics USA September 21 - 24 - Rosemont, IL Please visit the event website for more information. http://www.devicelink.com/expo/plastecshows/

Chicago ChapterThe chapter held a general membership meeting on February 17. Their invited speaker for the meeting was Karla Dobbeck of Human Resource Techniques. Her presentation was titled Human Resources 101 – Managing Employees Issues. She spoke on general HR issues, and answered specifi c questions.

Minnesota ChapterThe chapter held a meeting on January 15, with speaker Jerry Mraz from Smaltec International. He spoke about a revolutionary micro-EDM machine.

The members of the Minnesota chapter met and held a general meeting on March 19. Their guest speaker was Gretchen Kelly of HLB Tautges Redpath, LTD. She covered Success Strategies for 2009.

Pennsylvania ChapterThe group held a meeting on May 7 to form the new Pennsylvania chapter of the AMBA! Chapter board members were chosen, and goals for the chapter were set. More details on this new chapter will be announced soon.

SW Michigan ChapterThe chapter was the recipient of the fi rst annual AMBA Chapter of the year award. The chapter was awarded $5,000 in scholarship money to use towards the student or education program of their choice. Read more under “AMBA 2009 Chapter of the Year Award” in this issue of The American Mold Builder.

The chapter board of directors met on March 25, and on April 23. West Michigan ChapterGordon Brown of Model Die & Mold, Inc. has stepped down from his many years of service as the West Michigan Chapter treasurer. Cindy

32 AMBA

Makino’s newV33i vertical machining center is the ultimate formula for success in hardmilling

extremely accurate dies and molds out of extremely hard materials. The V33i has been specifically

designed to achieve superior dynamic accuracy (up to 2-micron tool blends in this part) over long

periods of continuous, unattended operation. To see the formula in action, watch our V33i Webinar

at www.makino.com/v33i.

50 HRc + 35 hrs + 18 tools +/-1.7 microns = V33i

WHERE NEW THINKING TAKES SHAPE.

©2009 Makino

AMBA 33

Humphreys of CS Tool Engineering will take his place as the new treasurer.

The chapter held a breakfast meeting on February 12. Thirty-two people were in attendance, representing 6 member companies and 6 guest companies. The guest speaker was Bill Brashers from Bartell & Bartell. He conducted a DISC assessment and defi ned each person’s temperament, and how to connect with other temperaments.

The chapter held another meeting on May 12, with a guest speaker Ryan Pohl of Expert Technical Training, LLC.

An Announcement from the West Michigan Chapter President Kent Hanson

The local Boy Scout Gerald R. Ford Council contacted me in person about sponsoring an event where they honor peer selected volunteers. They were fi nding it quite diffi cult to get a sponsor and had found my name in an Eagle Scout directory. These Silver Recognition Awards are made for those who provide exceptional service to our youth. These award winners are all registered Scouters within the jurisdiction of our AMBA West Michigan Area.

The council serves over 2400 young people in 12 counties. These Scouts have collected 46,000 food items for over 50 local food banks. Just 160 Eagle Scouts gave 16,350 hours of community service, an additional 30,000 hours were provided by other Scouting units. Many leaders in our communities are Scouts. Along with 60% of the 312 U.S. astronauts, over 30% of West Point, and Air Force Academy cadets were Scouts. Scouting has a positive impact on our community

Every year the Gerald R. Ford council asked for ONE corporate sponsor to pledge to be the Event underwriter for the Silver Awards by

providing a check for $2500, and the West Michigan chapter has chosen to be this year’s sponsor.

Knowing these trying economic times, I just could not see how a single shop would be able to do this. With numerous shops struggling this could be another way that our AMBA Chapter could help our community. Members may not have been involved in Scouting and other youth programs due to the intensity and demands of our careers, but not because of a lack of caring. Chapter members responded immediately in favor of the sponsorship to support our community and those who have invested a great deal of their lives in Scouting. We have a great deal of respect and admiration for those who help our youth and are proud to share a part in recognizing their accomplishments.

Wisconsin ChapterThe chapter is planning a joint meeting with the NTMA. Member company Strohwig Industries will host a facility tour, roundtable and buffet. State senators, representatives, assembly persons, school representatives, and county offi cials will be invited to attend to show them the importance manufacturing has to our economy. To show them how manufacturing works, the importance of the supply chain, why it works, and what they are doing to stifl e manufacturing and the hope for lasting economic recovery in America . To explain that no amount of Stimulus Plans will work without a healthy manufacturing base. ❏

Show Your Patriotism and Support U.S. Manufacturing.

Buy “Made in U.S.A. ” Gold Plates for your Molds – Display proudly on your molds, available in two sizes: 1-1/2” x 2” size

for $1 each and 3” x 4” size for $2 each plus s/h.

34 AMBA

The American Mold Builders Association wants to welcome the following new members:

Proper Mold & Engineering Inc. (Warren, Michigan) is part of the Proper Group International, and operates in a 105,000 sf facility with 187 employees in Warren, Michigan, Proper Group’s headquarters location. Proper was a member of the AMBA for a number of years, and owner Geoff O’Brien rejoined AMBA after an absence of a few years. Proper Mold & Engineering was founded in 1971, and today offers moldmaking services in Warren and in Anderson, SC, where it also provides molding capabilities.

Vector Tool & Engineering (Grandview, Missouri) is a subsidiary of Peterson Manufacturing and specializes in injection molds for lighting, automotive, consumer, medical and OEM applications. The company was founded in 1995 and operates in a 30,000 sf facility with 34 employees. Bruce Eagleburger is Operations Manager.

A-1 Tool (Melrose Park, IL) President Geoff Luther said he joined the AMBA for the valuable networking opportunities. A-1 Tool was founded in 1946 and today operates two locations, the Melrose Park facility with 55,000 sf, and another plant in Milwaukee, WI. A-1 employs 70 people and specializes in a variety of plastic injection molds in a range of sizes. A-1 also performs custom machining operations and provides 5-axis machining. Radius Precision Mold LLC (Salt Lake City, UT) was founded in 2006, and operates in a 3,500 sf facility with seven employees. Kevin C. Jensen, President of Radius, notes that the company provides a range of mold manufacturing services including hot runner, cold runner, multi-cavity molds, 3-Plate molds and more. The company also provides mold design, prototype mold making, product development assistance, and engineering consulting services. “

A&O Mold & Engineering Inc. (Vicksburg, MI) provides product design, mold design and manufacture for a variety of plastic processes including RIM, injection, blow, and roto-molding. The company was founded in 1986, and operated in a 25,000-sf facility employing 40 people. CEO Doug Northup said he joined AMBA “because AMBA is the largest and best lobby group fi ghting for us!”

Legacy Precision Molds Inc. (Grandville, MI) was founded in 1995 and currently has eight employees, operating in a 6,000 sf facility. The company specializes in smaller-sized plastic injection molds for the automotive, furniture, marine and medical industries. Legacy president Thomas J. Van Ree said that he decided to join the AMBA because he is interested in what the AMBA offers through networking, seminars and its active advocacy for the mold building industry. “That plays a huge part in what an organization stands for - we need to keep manufacturing in the U.S.,” he said. WELCOME TO THE AMBA!! ❏

AMBA Members – Stand Out From the Rest

Add a logo to your online listing. OEMs and mold purchasers go to www.amba.org to locate a mold shop. Send your

company logo and you can personalize your listing and stand out from the rest! Send your logo via e-mail, in a .GIF or .JPG

format, to Sue Daniels at sdaniels@amba.org.

AMBA 35

Part & Mold Inspection Services

866-722-2600www.exactmetrology.com

Superior MeasurementThat Goes the Distance

Reverse Engineering - First Article Inspection - Mold Analysis

From tiny, intricate parts to huge molds and assemblies, Exact Metrology has your contract inspection needs covered. Our portable metrology toolbox of 3D laser and white light scanners allows us to measure at your facility or ours.

Additionally, we can implement an equipment solution from our long list of suppliers (including ROMER, NDI, Metronor, Breuckmann and PolyWorks) and provide you the training to do it yourself.

Give us a call or visit our website to learn more.

Member News

AMBA Members Win MoldMaking Technology Magazine Leadtime Leader AwardsAMBA member company Commercial Tool & Die of Comstock Park, MI was named as the 2009 Leadtime Leader Large Shop award winner for the second year in a row, and the 2009 winner in the Small Shop category was another AMBA member company, Byrne Tool & Die, of Rockford, MI. Another AMBA member company, Armin Tool & Mfg. of South Elgin, IL took the Honorable mention category for Large Shop. Congratulations to all of you!

Byrne Tool (Rockford, MI) Byrne Tool specializes in fast, low-cost small- to medium-size plastic injection molds. We support the entire life cycle of bringing plastic components and assemblies to market. Our biggest differentiator is our lean culture and customer service. We feel we are a very progressive company embracing lean in our industry. We have seen tremendous results over the past 5 years with a rise in sales of 100% with decreased overhead and increased profi tability.

Another differentiating factor is that we have a self-directed workforce and not one incorporating hierarchy. We have had our employees participate in DISC testing and training to provide our teams with a better understanding of their own behaviors and emotions as well as that of other team members. This has really helped with collaboration and accountability amongst the team. There’s a defi nite sense of family here and there’s a total buy-in when it comes to how to work and improve on everything. We do a lot of team building that includes quarterly events with activities like bowling, poker nights, trade shows and Habitat for Humanity. With Habitat for Humanity, we take the entire company to volunteer a day to help build a home for someone in need. It’s proven to be very rewarding and indirectly enhances our own lives and work

environment. The team loves it. Our focus is to empower our team to succeed in everything they do, both personally and professionally, and to continue that success for the rest of their lives.

In 2008, we experienced a 25% increase in sales! In addition, there was no additional overhead or hours worked. It’s one of those things that make us cautiously optimistic for the future. It was a great year for us. 2009 will be more challenging, but we’re excited about it. We have a vision, but we always evolve based on the dynamics of the environment we’re in, both internally and externally.

Dynamic Tool & Design (Menomonee Falls, WI)Dynamic Tool & Design, a manufacturer of high-volume injection molds, recently invested a million dollars with the purchase of fi ve new pieces of equipment.

Dynamic has added two new high speed precision vertical machining centers, one for graphite cutting and a second for both hardened steel and graphite cutting. Both centers have accuracies of .0001 to .0002. These purchases will help meet different needs combining the high speed machining of mold steels with superior graphite machining ability as well. With these multiple uses, along with there reputation for speed and accuracy, it will be able to pick up extra load in both areas. This will contribute to the best possible time reduction of customers’ projects, according to the company.

Dynamic has also upgraded its EDM department with the addition of two new Mitsubishi die sinking EDM’s. These new machines are replacing two older models to allow for faster burning, tighter tolerances in the .0001 to .0002 and superior copper EDM’ing. A new CNC lathe with glass scales and live tooling has also been added to the fl oor. This is an addition to the company’s lathe department and will provide closer tolerances and better control of round components, reducing lead times on long lead-time components.

36 AMBA

A press release states, “Each of these pieces means a better mold or component, with closer tolerances and shorter deliveries for the customer. When a customer asks ‘what are you doing to reduce tolerances, or to speed up delivery time?’ this is our answer. We are investing in both our future and the customers. By working with the best equipment and the best people, Dynamic is always a world leader in injection molds.” For more information, visit www.dyntool.com.

Electroform Adds New Engel PressElectroform Company Inc., a manufacturer of high-quality, multi-cavity injection molds for two-shot, in-mold decorating, multi-component in-mold assembly, and engineering R&D for the consumer, medical, and packaging markets, has installed an Engel e-max 110-ton all electric press in the company’s R&D facility.

Electroform specializes in building molding/manufacturing cells, and recently completed an extensive class 100,000 clean room cell for a major medical manufacturer. “We built the tooling and the automation, and designed and integrated the entire cell. We’ve seen a considerable cycle time savings by going from hydraulic to electric presses,” said Electroform President Wade Clark. “Most of the molding cells we’re developing are all servo-driven and electric driven to optimize manufacturing.”

Engel will also use the e-max at Electroform’s facility as a demonstration and technical center to show the new technology in operation, and see fi rst-hand how the machine and mold work together.

“We’re continuing to develop new mold technologies with respect to in-mold assembly and in-mold decorating, and this new all-electric Engel press gives us the ability to showcase these technologies by optimizing the cycle times,” said Clark. “The e-max can run extremely fast and has the latest technology, making a good fi t with the type of molds we build.”

Ezell Precision Tool Co. (Clearwater, FL)A new mold core and cavity repair service that refurbishes damaged parts at a cost which is typically 70% less expensive than purchasing a new part is being introduced by Ezell Precision Tool Company of Clearwater, Florida.

Ezell’s Mold Core and Cavity Repair Service is performed by this producer of mold cores, sleeves, cavities and other die and mold-ready components featuring tolerances to 0.000050”. Capable of restoring damaged parts to print dimensions, the turn-around for repairs is usually two to four weeks, at a cost which is typically 70% less expensive than purchasing a new part.

Depending upon evaluation of the broken part, Ezell employs the latest welding technologies, followed by regrinding and EDM to restore the part’s dimensions and surface fi nishes. They can interchange steels to achieve greater hardness and wear characteristics to help prevent future wear problems where appropriate. Cores, cavities and other tooling can be repaired.

Ezell’s Mold Core and Cavity Repair Service is priced according to part complexity, degree of damage, process and materials. They offer a free evaluation of broken parts.

Industrial Molds Group (Rockford, IL)Industrial Molds Group is expanding their capacity and their quality, in addition to investing in their future. April of 2009 saw a new Makino V99 arrive!

Industrial Molds Group specializes in all facets of injection mold manufacturing including design, engineering, tooling, and special machining services. We’re equally adept at developing new tools, design optimization, or reworking existing tools.

AMBA 37

News for Die Casters

2008 Wage Survey Shows More Than 30% Pay Increase For Some Jobs

Maintenance person’s pay increases 36% in 2008 over 2007 according to statistics in the latest North American Die Casting Association (NADCA) 2008 Annual Wage & Fringe Benefi ts Survey. Other professions proved not so fortunate, such as CNC operators embracing a 34% decrease in wages. The fi ndings were based on an in-depth study of 37 domestic companies in the die casting industry and a comprehensive look at 13 different job classifi cations. The data in the survey includes comparisons of hourly wage earners, how employees are compensated, what benefi ts are received, as well as an analysis of how practices vary by company size and location. In addition, summaries regarding insurance rates and absenteeism have been incorporated. “The data in this Wage & Fringe Benefi ts Survey refl ects total pay,

including overtime, and is indicative of the economic times the die casting industry is experiencing,” said Daniel L. Twarog, NADCA’s president. “More companies are paying to keep their older machines running, while time in the CNC area is decreasing.” In 2008, the median annual sales of the participating companies in the survey was $21.6 million per year; such die casters utilized 16 die casting machines, employed 118 full-time direct labor employees and 79 hourly production employees. This data refl ects a sampling of the information that can be found in the 2008 Wage and Fringe Benefi t survey. To provide more fl exibility in the analysis, the survey comes with a searchable CD-ROM containing a database of all surveyed participants and individual company data from 1999 to 2008. Search results may be saved and exported into a spreadsheet program for individual statistical analysis. To order a copy of item #852 visit www.diecasting.org/publications. ❏

Layoffs - How To Avoid Adding Insult To Injury

Let’s be clear-getting laid off is horrible. It fi lls the laid off person with uncertainty. It throws a family into turmoil. It makes people doubt their worth and capacity. It spreads mistrust and paralysis through an organization.

Leaders tend to consistently underestimate the costs of layoffs and the price they’ll pay to rebuild capacity when things turn around. With that said, there are times an organization’s survival demands it. It’s better to lose 10% of the workforce now than lose 100% later.

Acknowledge that no matter how well you plan, there will still be pain. However, there’s a big difference between being cut by a surgeon who cares about you and being cut by a mugger in an alley. Far too many organizations behave like muggers during layoffs.

Ever thought of what it would be like to have security guards show up unannounced to your offi ce and stand by while you fi ll boxes of belongings accumulated over years in a position? It leaves you with a startling sense for the difference between organizational defense and personal dignity. There’s no way to alleviate the pain of joblessness, but you can control the insult of the process.

So what turns leaders into surgeons rather than muggers? Nothing reveals a leader’s soul more than the way he or she handles necessary dismissals. Unless you are willing to sacrifi ce time, money, and personal pain in the service of those you are dismissing, you deserve no loyalty from those who remain.

With that as a backdrop, here are some things that can help you avoid adding insult to the injury of layoffs:

• Be immediately transparent about possibilities and certainties.

• Feel pain when you deliver pain.

• Respond to anger with compassion.

M&M Tooling Investing in the Future

M&M Tooling Inc. continues on the expansion track begun two years ago when the company doubled its square footage to 4500 ft. Recently, M&M Tooling added more equipment to bring to fi ve the number of Mazak milling machines. The fi fth one purchased is a Mazak vertical milling machine. “This one complements the very large Mazak we have in place,” said Michael Mirante. “We had a situation, in which we’d get a larger job opportunity, but with only one large machine it became diffi cult to meet delivery, and delivery is critical in today’s world. With two large Mazaks, delivery requirements are easier to meet.” M&M also purchased a large Okomoto 1632 automatic surface grinder automatic.

Mirante isn’t letting any grass grow under his feet, and recently took advantage of a slow- down in business during the month of March to have a new Web site designed and created (www.mmtooling.com) and that is still a work in progress. “We want to put in more photos, add an employment opportunity link, and some other features,” said Mirante.

M&M also has new promotional material, created a new ad for the AMBA directory, and is currently working on new brochures for the AMBA lit rack at NPE.

“Most importantly, we made a transition with our capabilities to work with 3D fi les,” Mirante said. “We went to college and took a Solid Works course, and can now we can accept 3D fi les from our customers. It was a huge leap for us, but not having 3D capability was starting to hurt us. Everyone is in the 3D world now and I was losing opportunities. Now we’re ready for the up-turn, and things are looking good. We got several new jobs in and we’re ready.” Mako Mold Expands and Celebrates 40 Years in Business Mako Mold Corp. is in the process of moving into new space, trading its current two unite os 2,000 sf each for a single 6,000 sf facility that will allow the company better work fl ow, machine layout, and overall process effi ciencies. Mike Armbrust, Vice President, of Mako Mold, states, “We are taking advantage of this opportunity to streamline our manufacturing process and reduce manufacturing time.”

Mako Mold is also celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. The company was founded in February, 1969, by Phil and Lynne Denemark. Phil remains active with the company as the President. “We’re excited about the opportunity to better serve our customers in our new facility and very proud to say that we’ve been in business for 40 years,” said Armbrust. ❏

38 AMBA

• Be as generous as possible.

• Replace general insincerity with specifi c commitments.

If you and your managers demonstrate vulnerability, empathy, and sacrifi ce in the coming days, you'll get through it without allowing awful necessity to turn into unnecessary alienation.

Taken from the Spring 2009 issue of the Safety Net Newsletter from Gibson Insurance Group. ❏

Worker Theft Is Up - Recession To Blame

In the wake of the recession more businesses are facing a growing fi nancial threat: employee theft ranging from fi ctitious sales transactions, infl ated expense reports, illegal kickbacks, theft of offi ce equipment to retail products meant for sale to customers.

Employers suspect that workers are pilfering from them to cope with fi nancial diffi culties at home or in anticipation of being laid off. Experts speculate that people have a tendency to give in to temptation to commit criminal behavior more so in leaner times. Further, employers give additional attention to the bottom line, which results in more theft being discovered.

Employers are hot targets because workers know their systems, controls and weaknesses, and they can bide their time waiting for the right opportunity. The elimination of perks such as employee discounts and holiday parties can aggravate the problem. Employees are feeling that they are not being treated fairly by their employer, so they feel justifi ed taking from them. It’s not that theft doesn’t happen when times are good, but these problems come up with increasing frequency in a diffi cult economy.

To many employers’ chagrin, the workers guilty of the most grandiose theft frequently turn out to be those they deemed most trustworthy. They are people being given access to systems and information that allow them to commit fraud. Their crimes-typically theft of small amounts of money over long periods of time-often go unnoticed until economic downturns because that’s when companies generally become more vigilant about counting pennies.

A 2007 study shows that senior-level employees with an average tenure of seven years are responsible for 25% of all reported internal frauds. Overall, 85% of fraudsters are male, 44% are between the ages of 31 and 40, 38% possess at least a bachelor’s degree, 12% typically hold a postgraduate degree or higher. Workers who steal even small amounts of money or goods from an employer risk big repercussions, from fi ring to civil lawsuits to criminal charges resulting in jail time.

An employer’s best defense against worker theft is prevention, beginning with a code of conduct or integrity. Video cameras, tracking devices, monitoring tools, and frequent inventory procedures help deter pilfering. Counter-signatures on checks and purchase orders, outside auditing or other account reconciliation by someone not authorized to deposit or withdraw funds, joint control of securities and other fi nancial instruments, checks stamped “For Deposit Only” are all measures that help minimize the potential for theft.

Make sure the Crime Coverage on your business insurance is up to snuff, and get tips from your insurance company’s loss prevention experts on how to keep your business from becoming part of the statistics.

Excerpted from The Wall Street Journal, December 11, 2008 Businesses Say Theft by Their Workers Is Up, by Sarah E. Needleman. Taken from the Winter 2009 Insurance Update Newsletter. ❏

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) - New Regulations

New regulations interpreting the Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) have been posted by the Department of Labor and were effective on January 16, 2009. Brief highlights include:

Eligibility requirements of at least 12 months have been clarifi ed: the 12 months need not be continuous but cannot go back more than seven years. An employee seeking FMLA leave associated with an incapacity must visit and receive treatment from a health care provider. Such “treatment” must be an in-person visit. The fi rst visit must take place within seven days of the fi rst day of incapacity. If a qualifying event is based on two visits, they must occur within 30 days. To take leave for a chronic condition, an employee must make “periodic visits” for treatment by a health care provider of at least twice per year.

Care for Service Members changes in FMLA involve the defi nition of a “qualifying exigency” associated with the active duty of a family member in the National Guard or Reserves, who can take leave to care for a military service member, and notifi cation requirements for both employees and employers.

The eight exigencies are:

1. after up to seven day notice of deployment - up to seven days from date of notice.

2. military events and related activities - military ceremony or program, or family support and assistance programs.

3. childcare and school activities - care or activities of child of military member.

4. fi nancial and legal arrangements for the military member; e.g. preparing power of attorney.

5. counseling for employee, military member, or child of military member.

6. rest and recuperation with military member - up to fi ve days for each instance.

7. post-deployment activities - military ceremony or program within 90 days of return or in case of death of military member.

8. additional activities related to call up - as agreed by employee and employer.

FMLA also provides for a period of up to 26 weeks of leave to care for a spouse, child, parent or next of kin (defi ned beyond spouse, parent, child as blood relative with legal custody, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, fi rst cousins) who is a current member of the armed forces (but excluding retired or discharged military service members) who returns with serious injury or illness that was incurred in the line of duty while on active duty. The service member must be unfi t to perform his/her duties and be undergoing medical treatment, recuperation or therapy, be on outpatient status, or be otherwise on the temporary disability retired list.

An employee must give notice to an employer of the need for leave “as soon as both possible and practical”, expected to be the same day or next business day after the employee becomes aware of the need. Notice must be at least 30 days prior and if that has not been possible the employee must explain why at least 30 days was not practicable.

Employers now have fi ve business days to provide an eligibility notice to an employee seeking leave. If denied, the employer’s response must

AMBA 39

BICO STEEL SERVICE CENTERS

SINCE 1896

BICO AKRON, INC.Mogadore, Ohio330-794-1716 800-321-0983Fax: 330-733-7189plate@bicoakron.com

BICO MICHIGAN, INC.Grand Rapids, Michigan616-453-2400 800-962-4140Fax: 616-453-2929plate@bicomichigan.com

BICO SOUTH, INC.Spartanburg, S. Carolina864-595-1025 800-998-1025Fax: 864-574-4140plate@bicosouth.com

40 AMBA

include at least one reason why an employee is not eligible. The full text of the amendments can be read and downloaded at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/multidb.cgi.

Taken from the Winter 2009 Issue If the Insurance Update Newsletter from Gibson Insurance. ❏

Health Plan Coverage for College Students and ‘Disability’ Changes

“Michelle’s Law” (H.R.2851), which amends ERISA, the PHSA, and the tax code, requires group health plans and insurance to extend coverage for dependent college students who lose coverage due to their less-than-full-time student status because of medical reasons.

The extended coverage period is the lesser of: one year after the fi rst day of the medically necessary leave of absence; or until the date on which the plan would otherwise terminate such coverage. Under the bill, the student’s attending physician must submit to the plan or insurer a certifi cation stating that the dependent is suffering from a severe illness or injury and that the leave of absence is medically necessary.

The bill - named after a student who, against medical advice, attended school full time while undergoing colon cancer treatment in order to retain healthcare coverage - will be effective in plan years beginning one year after it is signed into law and will apply to medically necessary leaves of absence beginning during such plan years.

Taken from the Winter 2009 Benefi ts briefi ng newsletter from Gibson Insurance Group. ❏

Trying TimesBy: Karla Dobbeck, PHR, Human Resource Techniques

Employers are using many methods to conserve employment costs. Some are moving to a four-day workweek or shortening workdays. Employers have the right to set the hours their employees work so shortening the day or workweek will not cause a problem for your hourly workers. There are a few things to consider though for both hourly and exempts.

1st – If your employees earn vacation DAYS, they probably earned the days based on an eight-hour day. When lengthening or shortening the workday, please consider how this change will affect your vacation calculations. If your payroll service deducts hours of vacation used, think about making sure your employees understand how they will be charged for vacation. Hourly employees will readily understand the difference; there might be a problem for you, though with your exempt employees. Example – your exempt employees earn three weeks of vacation or 120 hours. While they were working eight hour days, 120/8=15 days. Moving to four 10 hour days would result in 120/10=12 days so please be careful. Remember, exempt employees cannot be paid vacation or docked in anything less than full day increments. A DOL fact sheet on docking is available upon request.

Human ResourcesHuman Resources

AMBA 41

Direct-FloTM Gold Series Hot Runners

I Opti-Flo® Technology

I Unitized and Integrated Systems

I Back-To-Back Valve Gate Systems

I 14 Gating Options

I Thermal, Valve and Multi Tip

Confi gurations

Hot Runner Systems…I Designed For Your Application

GLOBAL SALES, SERVICE & SUPPORT1740 East Maple Road

Troy, MI 48083

T: +1 (248) 616-0220

F: +1 (248) 616-0225

E: info@incoe.com

www.incoe.com

INCOE® Performance

...Right From The Start

Applications Expertise

I Automotive

I Closures / Packaging

I Medical Device

I Appliance

I Technical

Control Technology

I Temperature

I Valve Gate

I Sequential

Visit us at booth #77032

2nd – Now might be a good time to audit your wage and hour practices. Many employers misclassify their ‘salaried’ employees as exempt when they should, in fact, remain hourly workers. Re-classifying employees correctly will allow for a reduction in hours and in pay for those folks. Since the Fair Labor Standards Act requires exempt employees to be paid for the job as a whole and not for the hours it takes them to do the job, it would not be appropriate to cut their salaries because of a reduction in hours. If you do change classifi cations, make sure to begin tracking hours. Should the time come when employees are working a full schedule again, you would not be allowed to ‘move them back’ to an exempt status. DOL fact sheets and exempt status worksheets are available upon request.

3rd – Some employers are asking if they are required to allow employees to use vacation time to make up for a shortened workweek. The answer is not necessarily. If your policy allows you to approve or deny vacation requests based on business needs and the purpose of shortening the week is to save funds, you would be within your rights to deny vacation requests based on a business necessity. But please be careful! When anyone thinks someone else is trying to take something from us, it is human nature to try and get it back or to get even. A prudent employer will understand this perspective and allow at least a day or two of vacation each month thus sharing the burden. Also, if the employee quits, all vacation is due at the next pay date. ❏

Tax & BusinessTax & BusinessRetaining Key Employeess

Unless you have capable successors and employees, your closely held business may not survive your departure if key employees leave instead of adapting to the new owners and management. Therefore, a business succession plan should be in place and contain strategies to identify, retain, and reward key employees.

There are numerous methods for retaining and rewarding a key employee’s commitment, loyalty, and hard work. The most effective incentives are usually monetary and include, but are not restricted to, the following types of incentives.

Incentive stock options. Incentive stock options (ISOs) can provide key employees additional compensation through the opportunity to share in the appreciation of the company’s stock value. ISOs are usually granted to the employee at no cost with an exercise price at or above the stock’s current market price; however, they might have alternative minimum tax implications.

Nonqualifi ed stock option. A nonqualifi ed stock option (NQSO) is an option that specifi cally states it is an NQSO or one that does not meet the requirements of an ISO. Like an ISO, you can use an NQSO to provide key employees additional compensation through the opportunity to share in the appreciation of the company’s stock value.

Restricted stock. A restricted stock plan transfers stock to an employee subject to certain restrictions. Often, the shares are transferred to the employee at little or no cost, but are subject to forfeiture if the employee fails to fulfi ll the terms of the plan. A common restriction requires employees to forfeit their shares if they terminate employment within a certain number of years.

Stock appreciation right (SAR). A stock appreciation right (SAR) is the right to receive compensation based on the increase in value of a specifi ed number of the employer’s shares of stock. When an SAR is exercised, the company usually pays the employee cash equal to the

42 AMBA

stock’s appreciation, although payment can be made in shares equal in value to the appreciation. Because the employee does not have to spend any cash to benefi t from the plan, he or she may prefer an SAR to a stock option, which often requires cash to exercise. However, the employee does not receive any dividends paid on the company’s outstanding shares with an SAR.

Please contact your accountant to discuss the characteristics and tax aspects of these plans.

Taken from the November 2008 issue of the Tax & Business Alert. ❏

Annual Update on Expense Reporting and Per Diem Rates

Accountable Expenses An accountable expense allowance is an arrangement whereby the employer pays an employee a fi xed amount or a fi xed formula of money to be used for employment-related expenses. The employee must account for how the money is used. All or a portion of the allowance or arrangement is not subject to payroll withholding rules provided thenecessary substantiation requirements are met. IRS per diem rates currently available are:

Mileage (Effective January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009.)• 55¢ per recorded business mile• 14¢ charitable use• 24¢ medical or moving

Lodging, meals and incidentals (Effective October 1, 2008)

I. High/Low Method• High Cost Locality $256 ($58 considered meals and incidentals)• Other Cost Locality $158 ($45 considered meals and incidentals)• Contact your tax professional for a list of “high cost

localities” or the most recently published “specifi c locality” per diems.

II. Transportation Industry• Rate for meals and incidentals• $52 per day for continental U.S. travel• $58 per day for non-U.S. travel

III. Federal Per Diem Rate• $109 standard rate ($39 considered meals and incidental

expenditures)

Non-accountable expensesTreasury regulations require non-accountable expense allowances be treated as taxable wages subject to federal income tax and social security tax withholding.

Source: Revenue Procedures 2008-72 and 2008-59.

Taken from the HLB Tautges, Ltd. Year End Tax reporting 2008. ❏

New Diesel-Fueled Car Credit

In response to high gas prices and a renewed interest in environmental causes by the American public, Congress has added many provisions to the tax code to encourage taxpayers to conserve. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 introduced an alternative motor vehicle credit (IRC Section 30B) for purchasers of new, hybrid autos.

Similarly, the IRS recently certifi ed certain diesel-fueled vehicles for the alternative motor vehicle credit. This credit is a nonrefundable offset to your regular tax liability and is taken on Form 8910. In order to qualify, the vehicle must be purchased new (leased vehicles and previously owned vehicles do not qualify), and be certifi ed by the IRS. The diesel-fueled vehicles that qualify for the credit include the following:

• 2009 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0L TDI Sedan manual or automatic – $1,300 credit

• 2009 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0L TDI SportWagen manual or automatic – $1,300 credit

• Mercedes GL 320 Blue Tec – $1,800 credit

• Mercedes R 320 Blue Tec – $1,550 credit

• Mercedes ML 320 Blue Tec – $900 credit

Taxpayers looking to take advantage of the alternative motor vehicle credit should act fast. The full amount of the credit can only be taken through the fi rst quarter following the sale of the 60,000th vehicle of each model. In the second and third quarter following the sale of the 60,000th vehicle of each model, taxpayers are eligible for 50% of the credit. In the fourth and fi fth quarters following the sale of the 60,000th vehicle of each model, 25% of the credit may be taken.

Taken from the January 2009 issue of the Blackman Kallick Tax Highlights. ❏

AMBA 43

You are not a leader unless you have followers; a leader without followers is called a failure. Regardless of your skills, if your staff doesn’t feel heard and doesn’t trust you, they will always do the minimum. They will watch the clock and be ready to leave at 4:45 every afternoon. They will do just enough each day to avoid getting fi red, and they will hope the idea you came up with without their input fails. That’s right—you can spend your life delegating to people who want your projects to fail. How smart is that?

OK, you have to listen; I am sure you already know that. The issue is, how well do people really listen? Most studies show that 75% of the world’s population does not listen well.

Here is an insight that you won’t fi nd in many books, keynote speeches or training programs. As a whole, we don’t listen very well and it’s not our fault! That’s right, I am sure you are used to hearing and reading that all of our communication problems are of our making. However, most experts agree that from birth to fi ve years of age, we learn more than we will for the rest of our lives.

Even if you earn 15 doctorate degrees in your lifetime, you still acquired most of your knowledge in early childhood. In those formative years, if a child does not feel heard by the adults in its life, it does not possess good listening skills. The bottom line is that it’s hard to listen when no one ever listened to you. Listening is not hereditary. It’s an acquired skill.

Are we going to blame the parents? No! It’s diffi cult to listen to young children when we are trying to look out for their welfare. When my stepdaughter was fi ve, she asked me if Dracula drives a taxi cab. I said, “Well…, I guess if it’s a night job. Uh, wait a minute! What kind of question is that?”

She also asked me if she could have a tattoo—not a fake, stick-on tattoo from an ice cream parlor vending machine, but a real one. I said, “No, because you’re in kindergarten—and I’m taking the TV out of your room just for asking that question.”

People are more likely to follow your example than to follow your advice. We create better listeners by being better listeners.

Unfortunately, we don’t have much evidence of people returning from communication-training programs as better listeners. It doesn’t take a lot of research to fi gure out that poor listeners get very little from seminars on listening. So we don’t listen and it prevents us from being effective leaders. If we can’t do much to improve our listening skills, we have to focus on what we can do in the condition we are in.

The key, then, is to focus on making sure people feel heard. And the fi rst step requires recognizing and recovering from distractions.

One day, as I listened to an employee talk about his wants and needs, my mind started to wander. There he was, sharing his core issues, and I’m thinking to myself, “Look at the size of this guy’s head!” It was hard to focus. Once I was trying to listen to a prospect on a sales call when I noticed he had red hair, blonde eyebrows and a black mustache. I remember thinking, “It’s Mr. Potato Face! Something has to be a stick-on; that’s not all him.”

After we recover from our own distractions, we have to deal with the real issues at hand. The fi rst of these issues is what I refer to as “the pitch in your head.” It can be anything from a preconceived idea that a manager has about an employee, to a practiced presentation that you are dying to spew on your unsuspecting sales victims (prospects, I mean).

Sure, you ask a question just as you were taught to do in your sales or management training program—you know, a question like “Based on

Retirement, Gift, and Estate Planning Limitations for 2009

New limitations are effective in 2009 for some types of retirement plans, gifts, and estate taxes. First of all, the IRA contribution limit is unchanged at $5,000 in 2009 (for individuals with at least that much in earned income). In addition, the IRA catch-up contribution amount for taxpayers age 50 and older by year-end remains at $1,000. So, a qualifi ed individual can save up to $6,000 in an IRA while a qualifi ed married couple can save up to $12,000, as long as they have at least that much in earned income and both are age 50 or more by year-end.

Qualifi ed retirement [401(k), 403(b), and 457] plan deferral (contribution) limits increase by $1,000 to $16,500 in 2009. Taxpayers age 50 or more by year-end are eligible to make an additional catch-up contribution of up to $5,500, an increase of $500 from last year. So, it is possible for an eligible employee to sock away up to $22,000 ($16,500 + $5,500) in a qualifi ed plan this year. SIMPLE plan deferral limits increase by $1,000 to $11,500 in 2009. Catch-up contributions of $2,500 (unchanged from the prior year) can also be made to a SIMPLE plan by taxpayers who are age 50 or more at year-end. The annual gift tax exclusion increases by $1,000 in 2009 to $13,000, or $26,000 when a married couple makes a gift-splitting election. The estate tax exclusion increases by $1.5 million to $3.5 million this year. The estate tax exclusion can be used to bequeath up to a total of $3.5 million to nonspouse benefi ciaries and escape taxation. (Transfers to a spouse can generally be made estate tax-free using the unlimited marital deduction.)

Taken from the March 2009 issue of the Tax & Business Alert. ❏

Business Success StrategiesBusiness Success Strategies

Listening Like a Leader By: Garrison Wynn

Our studies of the most effective people in corporate America show that the top 2% are effective not because they executed best practices well. They did not make the most phone calls or have the best processes. They simply understood the truth about trust:

• People do business with people they like.

• They like people they trust. • They trust people who have a

detectable level of compassion and competence.

Does it take time to build trust? The truth is that you have known people for fi ve years who still don’t trust you, and you’ve known some for fi ve minutes who do. Our research shows that trust is usually created by showing a detectable level of concern. When people truly believe you are concerned for them, they tend to think you possess good judgment. After all, if you care about them, you must know what you are doing.

So what is the fastest and most effective way to show people that you care and you’re competent?

Make sure they feel heard, which is more than just listening. I call it listening like a leader.

44 AMBA

Classifi ed CornerClassifi ed Corner

FOR SALE - 2001 FIDIA K165 3+2 Hi Speed CNCDescription: Bought this machine at the 2002 IMTS show as a demo model. All service records, recently uggraded FIDIA C-20 control.3,000 - 30,000 RPM Spindle. X- 1,000mm by Y - 600mm by Z -500mm. 1574 In/Minute feedrate 20 position tool changer HSK 50E Spindle FIDIA Laser Tool Measurement, Excellent condition - Fantastic fi nishes and accuracy Priced for QUICK sale! Have new machines coming in!!!! Contact: Steve Rotman, Ameritech Die & Mold, Inc 704-664-0801, Offi ce Price: $82,000 OBOPosted 4/6/09

FOR SALE - Blanchard Grinder Description: 20CD-36 38” swing 3/4” chuck life Contact : Raymond Mueller III Price: call 314-522-8080 Posted 3/13/09

FOR SALE - Blanchard Grinder Description: 32-60 60” chuck 1/2” chuck life 72” swing 100 hp Contact Contact: Raymond Mueller III Price: call 314-522-8080 Posted 3/13/09

FOR SALE - Blanchard grinder Description: 1993 model 54HD-100 100” chuck 120” swing 54” segmented wheel 250hp soft start 3/4” chuck lifeContact Info: Raymond Mueller III Price: call 314-522-8080 Posted 3/13/09

FOR SALE - KM-80-220C2 (88 TON)Description: Tie bar spacing 405 X 405 mm. (15.945 X 15.945 in.)Mold Height 250 mm. (9.84in.)Daylight 750 mm (29.52 in.)3.7 oz. barrel Contact Info: Jarrod McKay, 814-724-8687 x28, jpm@realcodiversifi ed.comPosted 11/19/08

FOR SALE - KM-50-90C2 (55 TON) Description: Tie bar spacing 320 x 320 mm. (12.598 x 12.598 in.)Mold Height 200 mm. (7.87 in.)Daylight 550 mm (21.65 in.)1.66 oz. barrel Contact Info: Jarrod P. McKay, 814-724-8687 x28, jpm@realcodiversifi ed.com Posted 11/19/08

FOR SALE - Quincy 7.5 HP industrial Air compressor Description: Used air compressor stored as back up and in very good condition $500 Contact Info: dave@accu-moldinc.com 269-323-0388 Price: $500Posted 2/23/09FOR SALE - Kent Surface Grinder Description: Model PFG200N, 6x16 Table, 3,480rpm Spindle Speed, 60Hz, 1KW-2P Spindle Motor, May be purchased with or without mag chuck. Contact Info: David Drawert, 480-921-9939, Tempe, Arizona david@tmwinc.netPrice: $1,200 w/o Mag Chuck or $1,400 with Mag Chuck.Posted 3/17/09 ❏

Tech CornerTech Corner

what criteria are your decisions made?” As they talk and you diligently pretend to listen, the pitch in your head starts to play; and when the prospect says something that strikes a chord in you, triggering how much you know, your pitch fi nds the pause it was looking for and off you go.“I know exactly what you are talking about because I have had many people just like you with this exact same situation. As a matter of fact, it was this time last year and they even looked a lot like you.”

You then project your opinion, experience or spiel onto the person as a solution to his or her problem.

Instead of feeling heard, the person feels quickly judged, and communication does not take place. It was dead before the spew was fi nished.

The problem with this scenario is that you rob people of their uniqueness. When you tell them you know exactly what the problem is, they tend to want to show you how unique they are. You actually create your own resistance and prevent your skills and even your empathy from making their mark.

When people are talking, you are thinking about you or about what you can do to help them help you. It’s a natural thing for us to do, and it forces us to pitch hard and focus on convincing rather than on gaining agreement.

So what do the most effective people do differently?

They make sure the people they are dealing with feel heard and can retain their uniqueness. If you make people feel important, you will be important to them! But an even bigger realization comes from all of this. When you focus on how people feel about what they are saying, you increase the level of true concern you have for others. You actually start to become the person you thought you were pretending to be: a true leader!

© Wynn Solutions 2005. Author: Garrison Wynn (http://www.wynnsolutions.com), providing keynotes, training programs and business solutions for success. ❏

New Friction Pullers from Progressive Components Advance Parting Line Control

Progressive Components, introduces its new Friction Puller for parting line control. It advances parting line control by improving mold life cycle and performance over other methods.

Unique features not found with competitors’ models include:

• Internal venting - no extra through holes and no additional machining in the back of the mold is required

• Self-locating – designed to allow the resin assemblies to self locate, even if plates shift due to thermal expansion or machining variances.

• Indicator Arrows – remove guesswork during installation and adjustment

“Our Friction Pullers have been tested in the fi eld and proven to function smoothly, with limited adjustment, even after a million cycles,”

AMBA 45

• (2) New series of slides

• A total of (18) new sizes

• In stock ready to ship

• CAD files are available on our website

• Call for more information

Proudly madein the USA

OMNI Mold Systems customers have been asking for more size options for our Versa-Slides®.We have listened and are now stocking two new series (45 series) and (55 series).

• The (45 Series) will fill the gap between the 40 and 50 series slides with a 4.375”slide face width.

• The (55 Series) will fill the gap between the 50 and 60 series slides with a 7.125”slide face width.

That’s 18 new sizes in all! No more need to custom build those in between sizes.

OMNI MOLD SYSTEMS™

Toll Free Ph 888-666-4755 www.omnimold.comToll Free Fax 888-816-2850 sales@omnimold.com

46 AMBA

Advertiser’s IndexAbsolute Machine Tools, Inc. ..........................17

Alba Enterprises, Inc . ......................................27

Bico Steel Service Centers ................................39

Choice Mold Components ...............................15

Creative Evolution............................................29

Crystallume Engineered Diamond ..................11

CVD Diamond Corporation .............................42

DMS ..................................................................21

Dynamic International ....................................47

Edro Specialty Steels ........................................19

Exact Metrology, Inc. .......................................35

A. Finkl & Sons Co. ..........................................33

Gibson Insurance Group ..................................48

Graphic Products North America ....................34

Graphite Express ..............................................31

Harroun Enterprises ........................................10

Hasco America ....................................................7

Incoe Corporation ............................................41

International Mold Steel, Inc. .........................40

Kelbros, Inc. .....................................................11

Makino ..............................................................32

Millstar, LLC .....................................................36

Moldmaking Technology Magazine ..................6

OMNI Mold Systems, LLC ...............................45

PCS ....................................................................34

Proceq USA, Inc. ..............................................20

Progressive Components ...................................2

Rocklin Manufacturing Co. ...............................7

Superior Die Set ...............................................13

Tarus Products, Incorporated ..........................28

Ultra Polishing ..................................................19

Vega Tool Corporation .....................................13

Wisconsin Engraving Co., Inc. / Unitex ..........31

Yellow Transportation, Inc. ..............................9

OSG Tap & Die, Inc. Introduces the NEXUSOSG has raised the bar with the next evolution of Vanadium High Speed Drills, the NEXUS. This latest product from OSG features a unique 40 degree helix, coupled with a sharp thinning point designed to; reduce work hardening, improve fi nish, and eliminate exit burrs. The NEXUS also features WD1™, OSG’s latest development in coating technology for drills. Higher oxidation temperatures, better adhesion strength, and elevated hardness allow the NEXUS to run faster without any lost tool life. ❏

said Wayne Hertlein, Applications Engineer at Progressive. “That kind of durability, combined with our exclusive venting and self-centering features, proves out this product’s value to the customer.”

Four sizes of the Friction Puller are available, off-the-shelf. For more information, access our online catalog and product demo by visiting www.procomps.com/demo, or contact Progressive’s Customer Service team at 800-269-6653 (outside the U.S., dial +1 847 487-1000). ❏

Exact Metrology, Inc. Expands Product Offering with NDI’s Portable Shop Floor Measurement Solutions

Exact Metrology, Inc. announced today the addition of NDI’s industrial suite of shop-fl oor metrology solutions to their product offering. This includes NDI’s OPTOTRAK® 3D Optical Tracker, Laser Scanner and related equipment for inspection, reverse engineering and high-speed part tracking applications.

“NDI’s equipment lineup allows us to provide innovative solutions for our clients, particularly in larger volume shop-fl oor tasks,” states Dean Solberg, Principal at Exact Metrology. “Their optical trackers and related equipment are ideal for a wide variety of coordinate measurement and dynamic tracking applications.”

The addition of the NDI compliments Exact Metrology’s already extensive product offering which includes manufacturers such as ROMER, Leica Geosystems, Breuckmann, Metronor, Surphaser and InnovMetric. Exact Metrology has been providing metrology equipment solutions and contract measurement services for over fi fteen years.

For more information on Exact Metrology, please call them at 866-722-2600 or visit www.exactmetrology.com. ❏

AMBA 47

48 AMBA

Leading Provider of

Insuring the AMBA

RiskManagement

InsuranceCommercial Insurance

Employee BenefitsPersonal Home & Auto

Claims ConsultingLoss Prevention

OSHA Compliance ConsultingPhoto courtesy of PM Mold Company

www.gibsonins.com 800-814-2122

Leading Provider of

American Mold Builders AssociationP.O. Box 404Medinah, IL 60157-0404(Change Service Requested)

PRSRTU.S. Postage

PAIDMedinah, IL

Permit No. 20