By Rachael Pfenninger, director of strategic execution, AMBA In the American Mold Builders Association (AMBA) 2021 Business Forecast Report, nearly all surveyed mold builders (99%) reported that current business conditions are positive or fair, a 9% uptick from last year’s gathered data. Other economic indicators also point to rising optimism, improved levels of profitability … [Read more...] about US Mold Builders Express Rising Optimism and Shifting Priorities
Industry Resources
Reduce Electrical Shock Incidents with Safety-by-Design
by Littelfuse The heart and soul of a plastics manufacturing facility is in molding machinery. Together with the auxiliary equipment, these machines make electrical shock particularly problematic for the plastics industry. Unfortunately, electrical shock incidents aren’t uncommon for plastics. More than 90% of electrical fatalities among US workers are due to electrical shock. … [Read more...] about Reduce Electrical Shock Incidents with Safety-by-Design
3 Key Strategies for Continuous Improvement
Compiled and summarized by Rachael Pfenninger, director of strategic execution, AMBA Continuous improvement is at the heart of any successful manufacturing company. If ownership, the management team and all employees aren’t looking constantly for ways to eliminate waste, simplify processes or improve quality, then the organization has become stagnant – and likely is leaving … [Read more...] about 3 Key Strategies for Continuous Improvement
Mold Building Industry Ready for 2021
By Hallie Forcinio, contributing writer, The American Mold Builder Although 2020 was a tough year for business, many AMBA members overcame the severe economic downturn experienced in the second quarter and actually thrived. The outlook for 2021 is positive, too, despite the uncertainties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and a new administration in Washington. A report from … [Read more...] about Mold Building Industry Ready for 2021
Digital Transformation: How Machine Monitoring Can Drive Continuous Improvement
By Liz Stevens, contributing writer, The American Mold Builder Don Dumoulin, the CEO and owner of Precise Tooling Solutions, Columbus, Indiana, knows that plastic tooling manufacturing is a challenging business, even in the best of times. With COVID-19 affecting supply chains and deliveries, and Chinese businesses competing for market share, Dumoulin believes that now is an … [Read more...] about Digital Transformation: How Machine Monitoring Can Drive Continuous Improvement
Simple and Clear Communication at Thal Precision
By Dianna Brodine, managing editor, The American Mold Builder “We’re setting ourselves up as a problem solver. If we can communicate the problem and let prospective customers know that we understand the problem – that we’ve been there, and we understand the emotional state of panic they’re experiencing – then we’ve gotten through one barrier. And, if we say, ‘Here’s how we … [Read more...] about Simple and Clear Communication at Thal Precision