MMT Blog

Leadership 8 May 2013

Some Light Reading for You!

I received an invitation to review the book SmartTribes: How Teams Become Brilliant Together and wanted to share with all shop owners. It should be subtitled Five Mistakes Leaders Unknowingly Make That Scare Employees to Death.

7 May 2013

Some Tidbits to Share

Despite the distraction of the nice weather, gorgeous scenery and lovely hotel, here are some of the findings from the SPI's Equipment & Moldmakers Summit--Leading Through a Climate of Change I attended in Florida this week.

3D Printing 7 May 2013

"Processing" Information

Day in and day out I am immersed in moldmaking--technology, shops, people, challenges, trends--but at the moment I'm in Florida surrounded by a lot of molding. I'm at the SPI's Equipment & Moldmakers Summit with C-level executives, key policy-makers and business experts listening to and discussing issues affecting the bottom line of plastics suppliers, which ultimately affects moldmakers too.

6 May 2013

A Father's Legacy

One of my favorite parts of being MMT’s senior editor is hearing how mold shops got their start—especially ones with humble beginnings in a garage that evolve into premier mold manufacturers. Not only is Buss Precision Molds (BPM) is one of these shops, but also a story of a father and son working hand in hand to build a business.

3 May 2013

Baseball Tees, Concert Tees, Babydoll Tees ... MMT Tees?

Yep, MoldMaking Technology "Top 10 Reasons to Be a Moldmaker" tees, that is! And to get your very own, submit your Top reason for being a moldmaker (to be considered for the shirt) and then come out to amerimold to join us for the live reading of the selected 2013 Top 10 Reasons.

2 May 2013

Capacity Utilization Rate Gets Revised Lower

I expect the trend in the utilization rate to accelerate as the recovery in the overall U.S. economy and manufacturing sector picks up momentum later this year and through 2014. And the growth in demand for new molds and tooling will also accelerate shortly thereafter. It is too early to tell when or even if this indicator will ever get back up to the 85% level. I will continue to watch it closely and report on its progress.

Education 2 May 2013

"Made in the USA" Certification?

Come find out what this is all about at amerimold expo on June 13 when a "certified' company takes the show floor to present "Made In The USA: Supporting The Plastics Industry – The Timing Is Right!" How one moldmaker uses American pride to support our industry while getting young adults to look at manufacturing as a career.

Automation 1 May 2013

A Dynamic Duo Speaks!

When I first met the co-owners of 2010 Leadtime Leader Award Winner Mold Craft, Inc., I was impressed with their enthusiasm and passion for the industry. As I got to know them better, I was blown away by their technical expertise and business savvy. Come to amerimold next month to hear their company’s automation story.