Association Update: News and Reviews from Industry Organizations

American Mold Builders Association (AMBA)

The AMBA Annual Conference held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was the first significant event of 2018 geared solely toward moldmaking. It was two full days of making connections and focusing on leadership. Energizing presentations from peers and keynote speakers provided relevant insights that may trigger a significant change in a shop’s company culture or management style.

Breakout sessions, lunch-and-learn presentations and keynote speakers all provided an array of opportunities to learn new ways of managing one’s business through setting goals, implementing new or better processes and bringing employees together as a team with a single purpose. For example, keynote speaker David Horsager, MA, CSP, CPAE, is the CEO of Trust Edge Leadership Institute. He says that the number one reason for someone to want to work for an organization is trusted leadership. Trust is “a confident belief in an individual or organization,” he says. “A lack of trust is your biggest expense.” He also told attendees that gratitude is the most “magnetic trait” that a person can possess.

Breakout sessions and panel and peer-group discussions were valued parts of the program. For example, peer-to-peer exchanges were broken out into leaders and top management, operations and processing, human resources, sales and marketing and finance, ERP and IT professionals. Breakout sessions covered the overall health of the moldmaking industry, ownership transition, collaboration, making buying decisions, and metal 3D printing. They were moderated by industry executives and experts with panel discussions, data sharing, cross talk and question-and-answer time. Mold Builders Connect offered yet another way to share and learn through open discussions on hard milling, training, employee engagement and scheduling.

A highlight of the program was MoldMaking Technology’s Editorial Director Christina Fuges providing an overview of its annual Leadtime Leader Awards (LLA) Competition, encouraging attendees to enter their companies for 2019 (its 2018 Leadtime Leader will be announced at amerimold in June!). Then, representatives from previous LLA shops shared their experiences and the benefits of winning.

 

The AMBA will exhibit at NPE2018 in booth S33058. Stop by to learn more about membership or visit amba.org for more information.

 

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The Mold Technologies Division of The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPEMTD)

This group strives “to be the leading industry resource for technical information to advance plastics mold engineering technologies, while fostering industry growth, education and leadership.” With that mission in mind, SPE MTD offers educational grants to support the next generation of mold builders.

The Mold Technologies Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers is looking for qualified vocational technical programs within high school or college settings that are interested in applying for one of three annual $2,500 grants for the 2017/2018 school year. Eligible programs will have curriculums that benefit and produce skilled employee candidates for careers in the plastics industry, particularly in mold manufacturing and related areas.

Simply email gosborn@synventive.com for a grant request form and, if accepted, your program will benefit from extra funds to benefit your students’ learning experience. Together, we can help many of your students work toward a brighter future in the plastics industry.

The Mold Technologies Division also will exhibit at NPE2018 in booth WL10. Stop by to learn more about the Mold Technologies Division or to sign up for membership.

For more information, visit mtd.4spe.org or contact Division Secretary Christina Fuges at cfuges@gardnerweb.com or Division Councilor Cyndi Kustush at ckustush@gardnerweb.com.

 

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Canadian Association of Mold Makers (CAMM)

CAMM is a Canadian national association that represents moldmakers, service providers and suppliers to the global moldmaking industry. An 18-member board of directors and industry-leading advisors provide the focus and direction for the organization. New board members are elected annually by the membership. Its main objective is to promote the moldmaking industry locally, nationally and internationally as well as provide representation on behalf of the industry to federal and provincial governments. CAMM negotiated an agreement with the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association (APMA) in 2015 whereby members of CAMM are also full members of APMA and vice-versa. This partnership enables its members to participate in committees, trade missions, supplier days, conferences, dinner meetings and lunch and learn sessions.

CAMM will exhibit at NPE2018 in booth S30000. Stop by to learn more about membership or visit camm.ca to view its informational video.