By Dianna Brodine, vice president, editorial, The American Mold Builder What are fellow mold builders doing right now that can be implemented in other mold shops? Take a look through these information bursts for ideas on process efficiency, new business and the bottom line. Improving throughput According to Laurie Harbour, president of Harbour Results, Inc., the edict from … [Read more...] about Quick Hits: Improve Throughput, Drive Sales and Manage Cash
Market Trends
Recession and Growth: Building Resiliency in a Mold Shop
By Laurie Harbour, president and CEO, Harbour Results, Inc. It’s been an interesting three years for the manufacturing industry. In 2020, the industry was hit by COVID-19. Together, everyone learned what to do. Despite starts and stops, ups and downs, the tooling industry persevered. Then, in 2021, it was a year of unprecedented high demand for energy and major durable … [Read more...] about Recession and Growth: Building Resiliency in a Mold Shop
Cautious Optimism Vies with Varied Challenges in 2023
By Rachael Pfenninger, director of strategic execution, AMBA Cautious optimism reigned in this year’s American Mold Builders Association (AMBA) 2023 Business Forecast Report, where just over 90% of respondents indicated that business conditions were fair or better. However, other economic factors – such as inflation and continuing pressure from foreign competition – continue … [Read more...] about Cautious Optimism Vies with Varied Challenges in 2023
Keeping the China Tariffs: A Numbers Game
by Omar S. Nashashibi, co-founder, The Franklin Partnership, LLC Thirty-three – that is the number of OEMs and Tier I suppliers that convinced the US Trade Representative in 2018 to lift the 25% tariffs on plastic injection molds. One hundred and fifty-two – that is the number of American Mold Builders Association members who formally contacted the USTR in November 2019 … [Read more...] about Keeping the China Tariffs: A Numbers Game
Economic Smooth Sailing or Headed for the Rocks?
By Chris Kuehl, managing director, Armada Corporate Intelligence The business leaders of today resemble the captains of those old clipper ships. They know where they came from and they have an idea where they are going, but what happens in between is unknown and possibly disastrous. Thus far, the assumptions regarding the macroeconomy have ranged from glass half full to glass … [Read more...] about Economic Smooth Sailing or Headed for the Rocks?