2017 AMBA Conference Dates Announced The AMBA is excited to announce the Hilton® Downtown Cleveland, a brand new hotel with awe-inspiring views of Lake Erie, will be the site for the AMBA 2017 Annual Conference. Set to take place May 10-12, 2017, the two-day event will offer more opportunities for attendees to connect, learn and share than ever before. Located just steps away … [Read more...] about Association News

By Dan Black, chief learning strategist Tortal Training Editor’s Note: Training – whether for salespeople or equipment operators – begins with documented knowledge, an understanding of what processes and procedures are most effective and a way to share the knowledge among everyone in the role. Not long ago a training consultant got a call from a sales manager who said, “We … [Read more...] about Are You Sure You’re Training the Right Things?

By Laurie Harbour, president and CEO Harbour Results, Inc. Looking across the tool and die industry over the past six months, many shops have experienced a significant slowdown. According to data collected by Harbour Results, Inc., capacity across North American mold shops was at 66 percent in the first quarter of 2016. Why has the industry been slow? This trough can be … [Read more...] about Modeling a Best-in-Class Mold Builder

By Dianna Brodine, managing editor The American Mold Builder Shorter lead times, tighter turnarounds and pricing pressures … It’s no secret that the consumers’ demand for customization and immediate gratification has increased the burden on OEMs to add new inventory quickly. This burden slams downstream, impacting molders and then tool builders in turn and, sometimes, … [Read more...] about Views from the Other Side: Processor and OEM Perspectives

By Ashley Turrell, operations support specialist American Mold Builders Association While fourth quarter trends were not as strong as in past years, steady business activity is predicted for mold building companies in 2016, with 92 percent of executives anticipating first quarter business activity to either increase or remain the same, according to the most recent Business … [Read more...] about Steady Business Predicted for 2016 Mold Building Industry

By Lara Copeland, contributing writer The American Mold Builder Franchino Mold & Engineering, Lansing, Michigan, a leader in the die-cast dies and plastic injection molds industries, was started by Richard Franchino in 1955. In the more than 60 years that have passed, the independently owned business has rapidly grown and expanded its services. Currently, about 90 … [Read more...] about Cellphone Policies: From Management to Leadership