
|
|
09 March 2010AMT President meets with Obama’s Manufacturing CzarFurthering AMT’s mission of working to form a coherent national manufacturing policy, AMT President Doug Woods recently had a sit-down meeting with Ron Bloom, President Obama’s Senior Counselor for Manufacturing Policy. (more) |
|
|
09 March 2010At Rush Machinery, service is priority oneRush’s philosophy: Top-notch service and working closely with the customer to fill their needs is a No. 1 priority. (more) |
|
|
09 March 2010Federal Facts - President Obama's dilemma - March 2010No matter what the outcome of the “jobs” legislation, there is a growing recognition that we cannot continue to expand the deficit, which is predicted to grow by another $9 trillion over the next decade. (more) |
|
|
09 March 2010New department focus for Government RelationsAs part of refocusing AMT’s efforts in ways that will assist members in the best possible way, changes are coming to the AMT Government Relations department. Vice President of Government Relations Paul Freedenberg has transitioned from his full-time role at AMT to one as an independent consultant. In that capacity, Dr. Freedenberg will continue to assist AMT members and staff in his areas of expertise, most specifically in matters of exports, trade, tariffs and regulations. (more) |
|
|
09 March 2010Market Data Review - Always new "toys" for members to use - March 2010AMT has your arsenal of “wonderful toys.” The challenge to an AMT member is knowing what “toys” are in the arsenal, and how and when to use them. (more) |
|
|
09 March 2010Lessons Learned - Be willing to change and adaptLessons learned? Well, there were several. First, always, always, always open that door — you can never be 100 percent sure what you will find on the other side. Second, don’t forget the soft stuff — it is all about people. Third, make 2010 the year to attend the AMT Global Forecasting & Marketing Conference this October — it is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn about our business, our markets and to share experiences with others in your industry. (more) |
|
|
09 March 2010Industry News - March 2010Acme Manufacturing Company celebrates its 100th anniversary; Rod W. Drummond joins Aspect Automation; Columbia Marking Tools and I-Mark™ add Proactive Sales Associates to list of distributors and manufacturer’s representatives; GF AgieCharmilles continues sponsorship of the NTMA/NIMS National Apprentice Competition; Jet Edge, Inc., forms a strategic research and development partnership with Tecnocut S.p.A. of Bergamo, Italy; NTMA, PMA and AMT announce NTMA/PMA Contract Manufacturing Purchasing Fair. (more) |
|
|
09 March 2010Air Force program manufactures component 2.4 times fasterAMT member Third Wave Systems (Minneapolis, Minn.) has manufactured an F135 engine component 2.4 times faster than the baseline standard using its physics-based process optimization software. The machining demonstration was conducted as part of Third Wave Systems’ Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III effort supported by the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command. (more) |
|
|
09 March 2010Targeting Technology - March 2010- Assistance needed- NAMRC 38 - MTConnect (more) |
|
|
09 March 2010An innovative change coming to AMT’s Technology DepartmentAnyone who has had the opportunity to hear AMT President Doug Woods deliver his presentation on “The Manufacturing Mandate” knows that promoting innovation is a top priority for AMT. The association is shifting priorities to support members in their quest for innovation, and as part of that, AMT’s Technology Department will be refocusing its efforts. (more) |
|
|
09 March 2010AMT discontinuing role as B11 SDOAMT has made the decision to no longer continue its role as the Standards Development Organization (SDO) for the B11 series of standards. The association is in the process of refocusing its efforts in order to enhance its support to members in areas of more pressing concern and greatest impact on our membership.AMT will continue to participate in B11 efforts — the association will maintain its position on the Accredited Standards Committee of B11. However, it will be relinquishing its Secretariat position in the development of standards, and will be disbanding its Standards Department, which is a part of AMT’s Technology Department. (more) |
|
|
09 March 2010Upcoming SBIR/STTR funding opportunitiesThe Department of Defense (DoD) Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) 2010 Solicitation began accepting proposals February 23 (www.dodsbir.net). The solicitation closes on March 24 at 6:00 a.m. Some possible topics of interest to AMT members, or their customers, follow, but there may be others, therefore please scan through the listings for your own interests. (more) |
|
|
09 March 2010Business Development - Don’t underestimate the importance of morale - March 2010You don’t need me to tell you that times are tough in our industry right now. My job is to try to make it less tough by helping your company find business opportunities in end-user industries and markets that perhaps you weren’t serving in the past. But beyond finding the best places to sell your products, there is another important but often overlooked factor to keeping your company running well during times of stress. That factor is employee morale. (more) |
|
|
09 March 2010International Report - India - March 2010New Chennai Tech Centre – The long campaign to locate our Chennai Tech Centre in a Special Economic Zone has finally succeeded. During 2010, AMT will design and construct the CTC. (more) |
|
|
09 March 2010Global Service Committee - March 2010 - Learn to be a leader at the Customer Service & Support ConferenceThe AMT Global Service Committee welcomes you to join us in Nashville, Tenn., at the 40th Customer Service & Support Conference, April 15-16. This year’s interactive conference, “Building Leaders for Effective Customer Service,” includes topics of relevance for today’s competitive and improving business climate. (more) |
|
|
08 March 2010AMT Transplant Group has new chairmanFollowing the customary rotation of chairmanship of an AMT committee, Ed McMannes, Sales Manager of MAYFRAN INTERNATIONAL, became the new chairman of the Transplant Business Development Group. Ed, who has a long history in working with transplant companies, has his work cut out for him. He follows the group’s first chairman Jim Diederich, Regional Director with Assembly & Test Worldwide. Jim was the main instigator for the group, which owes much of its success to his hard work and dedication. (more) |
|
|
08 February 2010AMT 2010 Regional Meetings visit seven cities from coast to coastFrom Los Angeles all the way to Hartford, AMT members converged in seven different cities — and from all over, on the Web — at the 2010 AMT Regional Meetings. (more) |
|
|
08 February 2010Haas’ unique route to successAmid fields of strawberries and a mere stone’s throw from the stunning Pacific coast, Haas Automation’s sleek headquarters stands tucked into a Southern California industrial park. Its quiet exterior belies what’s inside, where there’s a steady hum throughout. The activity on the shop floor is punctuated by the occasional pass from an employee delivering parts and supplies from a cart-pulling bicycle, or moving about the facility on board a Segway. (more) |
|
|
08 February 2010Federal Facts - The beginning of a manufacturing policy - February 2010The beginnings of a manufacturing policy - A manufacturing czar, who will directly advise the President on manufacturing policy, has finally been named. The fact that the administration is seriously thinking about manufacturing is good news. (more) |
|
|
08 February 2010USTR seeks comment on Intellectual Property Rights problemsThe Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has issued its annual request for public comment and input on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) problems, including international product counterfeiting and piracy, that U.S. companies have faced around the world. This “Special 301” process has been a feature of U.S. Trade Law since 1974 and is explained in detail in the Federal Register Notice, which has been posted to AMT’s website for your reference. (more) |
08 February 2010Your views reflected in U.S. export controlMember companies that are currently exporting product or plan to export product can leverage AMT resources to have their questions answered about export regulations. Additionally, AMT member companies can actually participate directly with the committee that influences these regulations and other issues. (more) |
|
|
08 February 2010Market Data Review - Better but not much bigger - February 2010- Better but not much bigger- Producer Price and Wage Report - December workholding sales up - Foreign Trade Report - November 2009 (more) |
|
|
08 February 2010Technology Forum will highlight energy and innovationThe 2010 AMT/NCMS Manufacturing Technology Forum will highlight new initiatives addressing “Green in Manufacturing.” This year’s forum will mainly address the hot topic of energy and what is being requested, acted upon, and even offered to assist manufacturers in dealing with this ever more important subject. (more) |
|
|
08 February 2010GMS Committee - Lessons Learned “PLEASE DON’T READ THIS!” - February 2010If, by chance, you happen to manufacture any products similar to what my company does, please stop reading this article immediately. For the rest of you, there’s a little secret to winning more orders, building brand awareness and gaining market share, which our company has employed during each and every economic downturn we’ve experienced. (more) |
|
|
08 February 2010Industry News - February 2010- Aspect Automation and Preco, Inc. will unveil an innovative partnership plan at the ATX West trade show in Anaheim, Calif.- Jet Edge, Inc., recently hosted AMT President Doug Woods and NTMA Chief Operating Officer Robert L. Akers, Jr. - PRIMA North America has received ISO 9001:2008 certification. - IMTS will partner with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) to present the Emerging Technology Center (ETC) at IMTS 2010. - TECHNI Waterjet™ has announced that Hegman Machine Tool, Inc., is distributing TECHNI waterjets. - The National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) has announced two additions to its Board of Directors. (more) |