Business Strategy
Economic Growth Slows; Expectations Positive 41.7 Total Mold Business Index for February 2008
Overall economic growth in the U.S. is sputtering so far this year, and this is constraining demand for new molds in the first quarter of 2008
Read MoreDynamic Tool & Design, Inc.: Automatically Inclined
By fully integrating automation into its process, this shop services its customers from part design to sampling—and everything in between.
Read MoreJust Let’r Leak
How a typical 20-press, West Coast molding facility investigated the downtime impact of water leaks in their plant. Always looking for an edge, and a way to reduce costs, they put together a year-end defect costs summary to use as a guide in the toolroom, so they could aggressively pursue their goal of reducing unscheduled mold stops.
Read MoreStarting with a Clear Road Map
I am second generation in the moldmaking industry. My father was a moldmaker and I became a mold designer. I started as a design apprentice in the early 70s
Read MoreWill You Be Competitive?
Last month, I asked in this column, “Are You Competitive?” I covered issues that you can use to measure if you are really competitive in the markets you serve, and if your business appears competitive to your customers and prospects— today. That column was intended to help focus on survival and near-term growth strategies. Among the questions I suggested you ask yourselves was, “Who Are Your Customers?”
Read MoreStrategic Challenges of the Past Decade
What have been the most significant challenges for the Society of Plastics Engineers, Mold Making & Mold Design Division membership in the past decade? The answer—while not all that surprising—remains a constant that the industry has experienced throughout the history of the market segment.
Read MoreTop 10 List
What technologies were instrumental in changing mold manufacturing in the past 10 years?
Read MoreStaying Strong
As a result of the challenging times the moldmaking industry has faced during the past 10 years, networking has become a means to staying strong. Establishing and maintaining relationships with people in your industry is key to survival and growth.
Read MoreThe Best Business Advice Received Over the Past 10 Years That Improved Shop Operations.
The Best Business Advice Received Over the Past 10 Years
Read MoreOn-Demand Manufacturing and Personalization
On-demand manufacturing and “open source” projects enabled by the Internet, combined with other fascinating technological advances, will change how all of us buy, sell and consume goods. They have the collective potential to allow people around the world to specify every imaginable attribute of any product they want, when they want it. And it will affect your business sooner than you might think—because it’s already happening.
Read More
