PMPA Business Trends March 2022

 

The PMPA Business Trends Index increased dramatically by 29 points or 19 percent to 181 from February’s 152- which was, itself, our index’s second highest level ever. The increase in sales was NOT a result of increased hours of work- indicating that inflation of costs could be a likely factor. Our Sales Index performance in March dramatically heralds a pivot and perhaps a top in our manufacturing activity going forward. Inflation, not Units produced, seems a likely explanation for the parabolic increase in our Sales Index in March. Stay alert to anticipating and overcoming supply and sourcing challenges. Note- Due to the dramatic outperformance of the Index to history- over 3 standard deviations above 4 year average- we  took extra steps to validate the submitted data. Over 69 percent of respondents reported double or triple- digit sales increases in March 2022.

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If you are not currently participating in PMPA’s Monthly Business Trends reporting, you are missing a great peer benchmark and a tool to provide you with confidence for your business decisions. Contact Veronica Durden to sign up.

 

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Released April 18, 2022.   

Miles Free and Carli Kistler-Miller review the latest OSHA Statistics available for our industry in anticipation of the full report of the top 10 OSHA violations that is due out soon.

An Estimating Method for Multiple Spindle automatic Screw Machines

 

STEP-BY-STEP ESTIMATING FOR MULTIPLE SPINDLE SCREW MACHINES 

  • Estimate Identification
  • Material Calculation
  • Calculate the Weight of Material Removed
  • Calculation the Material Price M Pieces for the Quantities to be Quoted

ESTIMATING PRODUCTION TIME FOR A MULTIPLE SPINDLE AUTOMATIC SCREW MACHINE

  • Surface Feet per Minute (SFM) and Spindle Speed
  • Decide What Will Be Done in Primary and Secondary Operations 
  • How to Figure Production Time on the Automatic

PRODUCTION TIME SHEET 

  • Sequence of Operations 
  • Figuring Production Time for Secondary Operations
  • Broaching the Flats
  • Heat Treating
  • Grinding 
  • Inspect and Pack
  • Boxes
  • Figuring Tool and Cam Costs 
  • Figuring Manufacturing Costs by Quantities 

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An Estimating Method for Single Spindle Automatic Screw Machines

 

STEP-BY-STEP ESTIMATING FOR A SINGLE SPINDLE MACHINE

  • Estimate Identification
  • Material Calculation

ESTIMATING PRODUCTION TIME FOR A SINGLE SPINDLE MACHINE

  • Sequence of Operations 
  • Stock Feed Out (twice)
  • Center
  • Step Drill
  • Recess
  • Ream, Flat Bottom and Face
  • Ream 
  • Cutoff
  • Form (Front Slide)
  • Form (Rear Slide)

PRODUCTION TIME SHEET

  • Sequence of Operations
  • Adding Revolutions to Calculations
  • Gross and Net Production
  • Setup Hours 
  • Setup Rate 
  • Setup Cost 
  • Production Pieces Per Hour 
  • Machine Hours Per M Pieces 
  • Machine Hour Rate
  • Production Cost Per M Pieces
  • Cams and Tools
  • Special Costs

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Released April 11, 2022.   

Miles Free and Carli Kistler-Miller give our listeners a peek into the most recent tour for PMPA’s Mastery Program that had them visiting PMPA member shops such as Eaton Steel Bar Company, Vanamatic, Wieland Chase, and much more.

What NFL Teams, Street Gangs and Your Workforce Have in Common

A sense of belonging is important for successful teamwork, retention and job performance.

by Carli Kistler-Miller

Director of Programs & Marketing, PMPA

Published April 1, 2022

A sense of belonging. It applies to family, the military, clubs, online groups and the list goes on and on. People want to belong to something bigger than themselves. Have you experienced that sinking feeling when you were left out of something? If you have, then you understand the need for belonging. Your business is a team and may even have teams within those teams. A sense of belonging is a strong production and retention tool for your workforce.

Belonging is Good Business

A sense of belonging is a basic, human need that marketers, businesses and Sam Malone have been exploiting for decades. Look around an NFL stadium and see how many fans are wearing team apparel or team colors. The people watching at home are probably wearing the team apparel as well.

The sense of belonging is so strong, fans say “we won” or “we lost” as if they were on the field. So why does a national team encourage this behavior? To create a strong bond that can endure even when times are hard, a team is losing or the world shuts down because of a virus. 

Translate that sense of belonging to your business. Do your employees feel like part of the team? Feel like they belong? Harvard Business Review reported on a Better Up study which showed that high belonging resulted with a “56% increase in job performance, a 50% drop in turnover risk, and a 75% reduction in sick days.” PMPA-PM0422. Think about how those results can affect your business. 

How to Create a Sense of Belonging

There are many ways to create a sense of belonging and you can probably think of a few instances where you felt it. Use those instances as inspiration. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • I’ve handed a business card to an employee with their name on it and witnessed the employee’s pride. The sense of belonging is instant. Almost magical. Even if an employee doesn’t need a business card, I’ll bet they went home and showed it off to their family. Business cards are an inexpensive way to show employees they are important and belong. 
  • Mimic the NFL and give your employees company shirts or t-shirts — they could even be designed by an employee. Ask everyone to wear it on the same day. Or wear company colors on the same day. Maybe the t-shirt has special meaning that the employees understand and would have to explain to an “outsider.” 
  • Keep them in the loop. It can be a short meeting, email or message on a board. Being “in the know” can go a long way toward making an employee feel like they belong.
  • Ask their opinion. They have a unique perspective so ask their opinion on something. Even if it is the color of the new garbage cans you are buying. Give them a vote or a voice. It can be as simple as giving them a sticker to put on the image of the one they like. In the big picture, the color of the garbage cans doesn’t matter. What matters is that you bothered to ask them their opinion and they feel included.
  • Celebrate birthdays. Everyone has one. It doesn’t need to be an elaborate party, but acknowledgement that you know their birthday and want to share it with others provides a sense of belonging. 

As noted in the BetterUp study, taking the time to make your employees feel like part of the team can boost performance, retention and production.

 

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Author

Carli Kistler-Miller, MBA has over 25 years of experience with
communications, event/meeting planning, marketing, writing and
operations. Email: gro.apmp@rellimc — Website: pmpa.org.