Exploring New Markets, Fostering Innovation and Embracing Sustainability

Q: How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within your team?

A: One of the most challenging aspects of growing the business has been avoiding complacency. When things get busy, it’s tempting to stick with what’s safe. However, fostering curiosity can lead to innovation, especially when you have the right people in the right positions and are open to hearing their ideas. As a leader, it’s my responsibility to empower the team to do what they were hired to do. I actively encourage the team to share new ideas, and I’ve even had workers present tooling concepts they’ve discovered on social media. I believe in giving new ideas a chance unless they appear completely wrong.

Q: How do you identify and pursue new markets while maintaining existing customer relationships?

A: My philosophy is, “Take care of what you have now, and new opportunities will be there when you need them.” Most of our new customers come through word of mouth, thanks to the relationships we build with our existing customers and vendors. I have also been pleasantly surprised by the number of contacts we’ve received from a few social media posts, especially on LinkedIn.

We have adopted environmentally responsible manufacturing practices, such as using variable drive air compressors to reduce electricity consumption, enabling eco mode on our newer Makino milling machines and recycling shipping materials we encounter daily.

Q: What does sustainability mean to you?

A: As a mold builder, our influence on environmental sustainability is limited since the customer dictates part design and material specifications. However, we can minimize non-part-related plastic waste by reducing runner volume, thereby decreasing overall plastic usage. Also, we have adopted environmentally responsible manufacturing practices, such as using variable drive air compressors to reduce electricity consumption, enabling eco mode on our newer Makino milling machines and recycling shipping materials we encounter daily.

Q: How do you see your products/processes contributing to a more sustainable economy?

A: We design and build molds to reduce overall costs throughout their lifespan. For example, we focus on ease of maintenance, which minimizes downtime during preventative maintenance and speeds up repair processes. We also use standard catalog items for as many components as possible, allowing our customers to replace wear items quickly and cost-effectively. We also use high-quality steel and partner with a certified heat treater to reduce the risk of premature wear or cracking in cavities and other custom components.

Q: What are the biggest challenges facing mold builders today?

A: One challenge is attracting and hiring talented, experienced employees. While we’ve had some success with hiring apprentices, finding experienced toolmakers and designers to lead them has been very challenging. Another issue is the rising interest rates on equipment. Over the last four years, rates have increased by more than 5%, making it harder for smaller shops to invest in new technology and remain competitive.

Q: What technological advancements do you predict will have the biggest impact on the moldmaking industry in the next five years?

A: I believe that AI and 3D printing will be significant factors in our industry. It’s both amazing and daunting to see AI’s impact on society in various areas. I think AI will play a crucial role in the design and programming of molds. Additionally, 3D printing is becoming more viable in mold builds due to faster turnaround times and decreasing costs as demand increases.