I am always pleased when I encounter a quote that neatly communicates an Idea that I firmly believe, but is expressed more clearly than I could.
Imagine my delight when I received a placard containing one of my favorite industry quotes today!
“Read the Card!”
“Read the card!”
“What’s it say?”
“NO CAR RUNS, NO AIRCRAFT FLIES AND NO HIP REPLACEMENT IS FITTED BY A DOCTOR WITHOUT PRECISION TOOLS HAVING PREVIOUSLY BEEN IN USE.”
As precision machinist’s, we’re the people that make things.
Things that make a difference in everyone’s quality of life.
And who is is it that makes the tools that help us make that difference?
Why, precision toolmakers, of course.
A big thank you to Horn USA for sharing the placard with my favorite quote.
See you all at IMTS!
Month: August 2018
On June 21, 2018, the ECHA added Lead to the Candidate List for Substances of Very High Concern under REACH.
While this regulation arguably covers only manufacturers and importers in the EU, the fact of the matter is that our shops here in North America are producing components (articles) which are incorporated into products in the EU.
Our customers, who specify the use of leaded materials because of the economics of product provision (Leaded materials machine at much higher efficiency rates, lower costs , and seldom need post fabrication operations) are now asking their suppliers for a statement of compliance for the materials that THEY specify us to make THEIR components from. Leaded Steels, Brasses and Aluminums.
Our shops find themselves placed right in the center of a paradox- how can they certify that the material that their customer told them to use is compliant with this new REACH development?
PMPA has analyzed this and provided our members with a guidance document that
- Recites the applicable facts and regulatory obligations
- Describes where and where not the REACH and other EU regulations apply / might not aply;
- Analyzes the duties to our customers
- Describes ways to meet our obligations
- Provides references for understanding this new development
The world of Precision Machining is characterized by Volatility (this regulation just Arrived), Uncertainty (does this apply to me, I’m an North American, not European manufacturer?) Complexity ( So I need to read the ECHA announcement, The ECHA Substance Support Document, the Annex that covers Lead, and then two more annexes that tell me what I need to do) before I can figure out what I need to do, and Ambiguity (Actually the annexes do not expressly state what the exact deliverable required is).
This VUCA world is made manageable by PMPA regulatory sensemaking to help our shops first recognize, then intelligently understand and manage their risk.
- Who is helping you and your team recognize new regulatory risks?
- Who is helping you to understand those risks?
- Who is providing answers so that you can concentrate on making those critical parts that the world needs, instead of spending three or four man-Days trying to figure it out? (Presuming that you know the issue even exists!)
PMPA members know who.
PMPA!
PMPA Members Only Guidance Document
First the good news:
The 2018 July index of 128 is 14.3% higher than July 2017’s 112 value. Our year to date average is 135, up 10 points or 8.0% over 2017’s year-end average of 125. We are at 107% year to date.
And the not so good news?
Well actually it is just that to get to that record high Sales for July, the Index actually dropped 10 points or about 7.3%. from 138 in May & June to 128 in July.
I’m calling it a breather from the feverish year we’ve had so far.
Hours of first shift scheduled dropped by half an hour, a welcome break for the folks in the shop.
Why we’re not concerned about the decline of Sales in July:
The forward looking sentiment for Sales for the next three months actually climbed in July. while all other indicators remained steady.
We’re just taking a bit of a breather.
Enjoy!
Photocredit: Skynews
ITR Economic Report – August 2018
The Institute for Trend Research (ITR) quarterly reports focus on major areas of economic growth and decline in key market segments for the Precision Machined Products Industry. They are provided to PMPA members as part of the association’s overall business intelligence program and are used as a management tool to help PMPA members plan for what lies ahead and which markets they should focus on in a complex manufacturing environment.
PMPA Business Trends August 2018
“August Sales Index Recovers to All Time High.”
With 88 companies responding, the PMPA Business Trends Index for August 2018 recovered to its all-time high of 143 from March earlier this year. This 16-point surge (~13%) increase over July –the highest July on record- is solid testimony that we are in strong market for our high precision-machined components. The 2018 August index of 143 is about 9.2% higher than August 2017’s 131 value. Demand remains strong for our precision machined products Our year to date average is 136, up 11 points or 8.8% over 2017’s year-end average of 125. We are at 107% year to date.
August 2018 | Craftsman’s Cribsheet #69
Many people worry about the differences between being a leader and being a manager. Here are my thoughts on the five keys necessary for being a positive and effective team lead
Published August 2018
By PMPA Staff
The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2018 is set to take over Chicago’s McCormick Place from Sept. 10-15.
Published August 2018
By PMPA Staff
Established more than a century ago, Ashley Ward Inc. has become one of the United States’ largest companies in the screw machine industry, with five locations across the country.
Published August 2018
By Miles Free III
PMPA’s latest “Business Trends Report” shows that shops are busy working overtime and juggling their schedules to produce the almost unprecedented demand for components from our customers.