The American Mold Builders Association (AMBA), Indianapolis, Indiana, is excited to announce the launch of the AMBA Work Capacity Tool – an innovative resource now available at www.AMBA.org to help mold manufacturers share and fill capacity when needed. Designed specifically for AMBA member shops, this online, members-only tool allows a mold builder to locate open capacity in over-capacity situations and conversely, fill open capacity when work is needed, thereby helping to fuel sustainability and growth.
The newly designed, user-friendly AMBA Work Capacity Tool allows mold manufacturers to log in open capacity over a 90-day period in over 50 areas of operation, including special machines and additional services. Members are encouraged to update capacity every 30 days, with automatic reminders sent to help keep the information current. From 3-, 4- and 5-axis milling (including the ability to select size ranges) to EDM, polishing, design and more, a simple click of the button connects members with shops that meet their needs, with direct links to email for quick communication and rapid results.
Shops searching for open capacity simply hit the “Search Work Capacity” button on the AMBA homepage, log in and search by date(s), areas of operation, location and/or multiple states. The search engine instantly pulls up the matching results, including company address, capabilities and contact information (through a linked email) for immediate access.
According to AMBA President Don Dumoulin of Precise Tooling Solutions, Columbus, Indiana, the capacity tool concept was conceived about a year ago at the AMBA conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by a few AMBA members who were looking for a means to even out the ebbs and tides in their operations. “If we could develop a tool where individual shops could share needs or wants of machining, polishing and EDM – all of the things it takes to make a tool in today’s environment – then we could level out the capacity for all of our shops,” Dumoulin recounted. “The best part of this is that it is our industry helping our members. It’s the best way to make our industry strong in the face of global competition.”
The AMBA team has worked diligently over the past year to bring this new resource to its members and has created a ‘how-to’ tutorial for ease of implementation. “Sharing best practices, benchmarking operations and discussing challenges have long-been the hallmarks of the AMBA network,” stated Kym Conis, AMBA managing director. “The new Capacity Tool now enables members to share work, resources and even personnel more easily and with greater resolve.”
To learn about the new members-only AMBA Work Capacity Tool or to learn more about the AMBA network, becoming a member and gaining access to this new resource, visit www.AMBA.org.