Human Asset Management Talent Development Consultant and Partner Shares Three Favorite Articles: Profiles, People, Purpose

Marion Wells is a talent development consultant and partner in Human Asset Management (HAM), which offers services focused on talent development, organizational strategies, program management, and sales and marketing improvement for small- to mid-size manufacturers. Marion offers clients a breadth and depth of experiences using continuous improvement process tools to drive change in program management, sales and marketing.

Here, she continues this year’s EAB series by sharing her three all-time favorite MoldMaking Technology articles and how this content has been valuable to her work and career.

“Selecting only three of my favorite articles was not easy,” Marion notes. “However, identifying my favorite type of article was easy — the shop profiles.”

A profile provides a brief but focused view inside a moldmaking company and highlights a specific technology and/or capability that makes the moldmaker a valuable supplier to its customers. Typically, profiles are published in a structured Q&A format, an excellent way for mold manufacturers to promote their services to potential customers.

“Shop profiles keep me engaged with the moldmaking community. They help me understand leading mold builders’ capabilities and business philosophies, which is essential to me as a service provider to manufacturers. In addition, these profiles provide just enough detail that the reader feels like they are on a shop tour, which is invaluable to readers who don't have the opportunity to visit manufacturers in person.

“Here are my all-time three favorite profiles that left me inspired by the industry I serve:”

1. January 2022 issue – Midwestern Advanced Manufacturing Design Technology Program Presents Unlimited Career Possibilities

Advanced Manufacturing Design Technology program at Central Community College offers new facility expansion and 100 years of instructor experience to mentor students from drafting, manual machines and CNC to part, mold and die design and advanced machining.

This is my top article because I am passionate about getting the next generation excited about manufacturing. Central Community College (CCC) tackled the workforce issue head-on by applying for a workforce training grant and built a fantastic program over time. As a result, anyone in the area looking for talent does not have to look far. This two-year program offers a complete curriculum that prepares each student for our industry by teaching them everything from developing a concept to producing a part. 

CCC has the capacity for 350 students to live on campus and receive training from some of the most qualified and enthusiastic teachers in the area. They also created the Manufacturing Pathway Advisory Team (MPAT) with members from CCC, Hasting public schools, the local chamber of commerce and local business and industry partners. I believe CCC has the blueprint others can and should replicate. CCC is an excellent example of what the industry can do if we want a future workforce.

2. February 2021 issue – Shared Engineering Expertise Overcomes Design and Delivery Challenges

Collaboration on part and mold design between a molder and mold builder was vital to overcoming design and production challenges for a unique automotive project.

Editorial director, Christina Fuges, has a unique ability to get to the heart of things in her conversations with each manufacturer early in the article, piquing interest right away. For example, while reading the profile on Pyramid Molding Group, I immediately picked up on their business mindset and holistic approach to tooling and molding technology, which is the secret to their success while creating value for their customers. The open lines of communication and transparency between the manufacturer and the customer are also vital. 

Pyramid Molding Group was asked to describe a specific project that challenged the organization, and I enjoyed the journey the article took me on as Christina got them to explain their approach to solving a problem for the customer and providing them with a mold and part that was previously considered impossible to manufacture. On top of that, the Pyramid team also met a critical delivery deadline.

3. October 2020 issue – Michigan Mold Builder Gets Business Savvy and Adds Vibration and Hot Plate Welding Services

Best Tool & Engineering identifies a new niche in vibration and hotplate welding and beefs up its business management skills.

You never know what you might learn about a mold builder featured in an MMT profile. I was pleasantly surprised when I read the story of Best Tool and Engineering because they are a small but flexible company offering complete engineering services. I was curious to learn how they could do all that they do with a staff of only 15. I discovered the key is their niche — low- to mid-volume parts for the automotive market.

Recognizing that you need to improve your business skills and run your business simultaneously takes courage and faith in yourself. I admire the owner of Best Tool because he took a leap of faith, applied and was accepted into the Goldman Sachs small business program. This program enabled him to learn from peers and bring those ideas back to his business. He also is developing the next generation through apprenticeship training. For a small business, they have a can-do attitude.