Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ND08 Connections
ND08 Connections
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Q: We’re getting ready for another OSHA inspection. We’ve added some laser cutting
equipment since our last inspection and need to know what OSHA regulations
govern laser equipment.
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FMA Heads West to…Vancouver!
Brenco 25th Anniversary Celebration
When most people think of a birthday party, they think of balloons,
cake, cheesy music, and, depending on the age of the celebrator, a
clown or two. FMA 2008 Chairman Steve Heim would have none of
that for Brenco’s big day. Jim Warren, FMA’s director of education,
made the trip out to Delta, British Columbia, to witness the festivities.
“Wow! Steve and the Brenco crew really know how to throw a
party!” said Warren. “What a treat and honor it was for FMA to be
part of this celebration.”
Clowns and cake were replaced by a traditional Irish band, brats,
shish kebabs, and a charitable fundraiser – all enjoyed by a few
hundred people, including the Delta mayor, local premier, customers,
suppliers, family – you name it, they were there. To top it off through The relationship between Brenco, Kwantlen, and FMA is centered
generous donations of equipment, tools, wine, and golf packages from on what is called a Certified Education Center (CEC). These centers
Brenco’s suppliers and customers, the Brenco 25th Anniversary Silent are a partnership between FMA and technical schools to engage,
Auction raised just under $3,000 for the FMA’s Foundation! Way to educate, and certify young people in the field of metal fabricating.
go Steve and Brenco crew! The primary beneficiary of CECs are employers who reap the
Brenco was founded in 1983 – right in the middle of the hard times rewards of a skilled (and replenishing) work force. Fabrication
that hit British Columbia from 1981 and lasting until 1985. Twenty- instructor Rob Finlayson arranged a complete tour of the new
five years later, the company has tremendously grown. The state of the campus for FMA.
art facility currently in use is 12 times the size of the original shop. “This was one of the most advanced welding training facilities I’ve
However, growth is more than a measurement of square footage. Heim seen anywhere – hands down,” said Warren. “Kwantlen has a two-
is able to boast that 30 percent of his staff has been with Brenco for year waiting list to get into its welding program and it’s easy to see
more than 10 years. Although this is an important statistic, Heim is why. Equally impressive is the fabricating program and its AccurPress
just as proud of the fact that roughly a quarter of his staff was not even press brake with new controls and tooling. The future looks good for
born when his company began! Kwantlen and their students!”
Brenco is prepared for the future with a diverse staff of young and
experienced working side by side. Not all companies in the metal One of North America’s Largest Metals
processing field are so lucky. Brenco is a strong Advantage Member of
FMA. Distribution, Processing Companies
Dan McLeod, district manager of Advantage Member A.J. Forsyth
/ A Div. of Russel Metals Inc., was gracious enough to host FMA on a
plant tour. A.J. Forsyth, a company begun by its namesake as an
import/export business in 1908, grew into the entity it is today in
2001 when shares of the company were bought by Russel Metals.
McLeod currently serves on FMA’s Plate Processing & Fabricating
Technology Council, and is a veteran of several Metal Matters
Conferences. He brought the plant along the path toward lean
manufacturing, including a robust 5S program and a logical lean flow
of products through the plant. Times are good for A.J. Forsyth and
longtime employee Dan McLeod is leading the way. Dan has also
recently been elected to serve a three-year term on FMA’s Board
of Directors.
What Signs Will Show Credit Crisis is Weakening? What Direction Will the Auto Industry Go?
Thus far, the global financial crisis has involved everything from $700- The travails of the auto industry have been well-documented over the past
billion bailouts (not forgetting another $100 billion for rum subsidies and year. It goes without saying that nearly everything that could go wrong in
such), bank nationalizations in Iceland, dramatic declarations to fully back this sector has gone wrong. High fuel prices dampened interest in the larger
depositors in Ireland and Germany, and massive outpourings of liquidity from vehicles that had been in demand. Consumers began to be concerned about
the central banks around the world - all geared to rescuing the credit markets. their jobs and their household debt as the sub-prime crisis escalated to a level
The questions on the minds of business people are almost too varied to count, where the entire banking system has been affected. Those who still want to
but the big ones are, will this work, and how will we know? buy a car are having trouble qualifying for loans, so demand is generally down.
The primary problem is that banks have too much “toxicity” in their Raw material and labor costs are up. The decline in the U.S. Big Three has
portfolios. These bad debts are hovering over them and making banks highly been close to catastrophic, and many analysts are unsure what the U.S. auto
distrustful of one another. The bad portfolios have paralyzed the normal flow market is destined to look like in the future.
of lending, which has driven up the indicative rates to the point where credit There are at least three scenarios in play at the moment, and all of them
has been evaporating. This is making it very hard for businesses to get loans. are likely to develop to some degree. The first is that the Big Three will
Consumers are also struggling to get car loans, mortgages, and even extended consolidate in one way or another. It looks likely that GM and Chrysler will
credit card debt. If the credit markets remain this tightly shut, the economy combine, despite the challenge of finding funding for the merger. Cerberus
will slide that much deeper into decline. wants to get out of their investment in Chrysler to some degree, and seems
We’ve identified the problem, but how do we know whether the intended prepared to sweeten the pot to keep GM interested. The combined company
fixes are working? The best indicator will be what happens to key interest rates will have roughly a year to make its move. Ford is another story. It may file for
and certain elements of banking behavior. The most important set of bankruptcy protection in order to reorganize - not unlike the actions taken by
indicators are those that are collectively known as LIBOR - London the airlines a few years ago. It may also position itself for some kind of
Interbank Offered Rate. There are a variety of these - overnight, one month, combination with a foreign car company.
three months, and so on. They are designated as dollar rates and euro rates This leads to the second scenario - more engagement in the U.S. market
and are generally used as a shorthand way of gauging the banking community, from foreign manufacturers. Toyota and Honda are already more U.S.
as these are the rates that banks charge each other for unsecured loans. The companies than Japanese, in terms of their sales and growth. Hyundai is
rates have risen rapidly since the collapse of Lehman Brothers and the nearing that point as well. Volkswagen is coming back to the U.S. for
full-scale emergence of the credit crisis. They have been as high as 4.9 percent manufacturing after more than a decade’s absence. Other Asian
in recent weeks and have just fallen to 4.3 percent. They are moving in the manufacturers have an eye on the U.S. market, and will be arriving in force in
right direction, but a few months ago they were as low as 1.5 percent. In any the years to come. These may come as others have - via exports, to build some
case, if the bailouts are starting to work, the LIBOR will fall. If the plan is not market presence - but there is also the chance that some will buy into the U.S.
working all that well, they will not. market by acquiring all or part of a U.S. manufacturer.
Another good indicator is the extent to which the money markets start The most likely to pursue that option will be Chinese makers that have
loosening up. Thus far, nearly all liquidity in the financial sector is coming been working with U.S. companies for almost 10 years now. Some European
from the central banks and other government efforts. When the money makers are expected to expand as well - especially the Germans, who have
markets start putting their cash up again, that will be a good sign of already established beachheads in the States. The dark horse on the European
improvements to come. This started to happen last Friday and there was a side will be Renault-Nissan, but there is also the chance that Fiat may try to
little acceleration on Monday as well. salvage itself with an American investment.
Given that most of the bailouts have yet to be implemented, these are good The third trend is perhaps the hardest to assess. The American consumer is
signs. It is expected that more flexibility will be evident as the plans are fully not a big fan of the small car, and these sub-compacts only make real progress
formed and started. The Treasury has finally begun discussing what the bailout when fuel issues dominate the conversation. Earlier in the year, the arrival of
will look like and what kind of debt they will buy. They have also started to $4-a-gallon gas swept many people in the direction of the small car, but as
set the conditions for purchase, which will give the markets something to play prices have eased at the pump it is clear that the love affair with the SUV and
with. CK truck have not come to an end just yet. The struggle will be between the desire
for big and roomy and the need for efficient and cheap. If the car industry
gambles wrong, the costs will be catastrophic; but if the mood is captured, the
industry may be able to salvage a decent 2009. CK
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FABTECH & AWS Welding Show
Oct. 6-8, 2008 • Las Vegas
Dan Turner, Yuba College; Mark Smith, Shasta College; Gary Lederer,
In contrast to the grim financial news around the world, an Sutter High School and Yuba College; and Practical Welding Today
unprecedented number of attendees filled the halls on opening day at Associate Editor Amanda Carlson at FMA’s and FMA Communications’
the 2008 FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show, networking event at Paris Las Vegas.
introducing METALFORM.
More than 12,000 manufacturing and welding professionals
attended the opening day of this first-ever show in Las Vegas, with
more than 21,000 for the entire three-day event. The response from
exhibitors indicates attendees were ready to buy.
“It was a big show for us. We had the largest number of leads from
any trade show we’ve been in going back to 2000,” said AdvantagePlus
member Al Julian, vice president marketing, Megafab.
About the Show
FABTECH International & AWS Welding Show introducing
METALFORM, is co-sponsored by the American Welding Society
(AWS), Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Int’l (FMA) and
Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), and includes a new
strategic alliance with the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA).
The show is the largest event in North America dedicated to
showcasing a full spectrum of metal forming, fabricating, stamping,
tube and pipe, and welding equipment and technology. Thousands
of buyers and sellers from across the globe gathered in Las Vegas to
exchange products and services, network with peers, preview new
products, problem-solve, and educate the industry on the latest
technologies.
The 2009 show will take place November 15-18 at
McCormick Place in Chicago and Nov. 2 - 4, 2010, in Atlanta.
Left:
Attendees and
exhibitors
answer FMA’s
booth survey.
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Left:
Past FMA Chairman of the Board, Dennis Nybo,
with guests at the networking event.
Right:
John Ratzenberger tours
the show floor.
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“GO-Brennan” Top Three Reasons to Consider a Bequest to the
FMA Foundation
Scholarships “Lap Two” The FMA Foundation funds grants for summer manufacturing
camps for teens, and scholarships for students preparing for a career
in manufacturing. A great way to advance the Foundation’s outreach
to youths is through a bequest.
As distinguished from other giving instruments, a bequest:
1. Is a simple gift to establish, as long as you have a will.
2. Lets you retain control of your assets during your lifetime.
3. Qualifies for an estate tax charitable deduction.
For details, contact Nathan Ruby at nathanr@fmanet.org or
815-381-1339.
2008 Salary Survey Now Available
Advantage and AdvantagePlus members who participated in the
Salary & Benefits Survey for Executives & Professionals receive the
results at no charge. Basic members may purchase the results for $75.
Want to see what the results will look like? A sample of the results has
been included with this newsletter.
Copies of the results were distributed via e-mail to participants. If
you didn’t receive your copy, please e-mail karlal@fmanet.org.
Race car driver Brennan Palmiter. Reminder: Metal-themed Holiday Cards
Happy Do something different this year. Maybe you
On Sept. 15, teen race car driver Brennan Palmiter turned the Holidays
can’t send out holiday cards made of metal,
Happy Holidays
ignition for “lap two” of the “Go-Brennan” YouTube Scholarship but now you can send out cards that look
promotion that offers 25 scholarships of $500 each to students seeking like metal.
careers in manufacturing. Members can order holiday cards with a standard or customized
Sponsored by the FMA Foundation and SolidWorks Corporation, message. Adding a logo, signature, and envelopes pre-printed with
the “GO-Brennan” Scholarships are tied to FMA’s sponsorship of your mailing list are other available options.
16-year-old stock car driver Brennan’s 2008 racing season. Brennan Log into Members Only to order and choose from two designs
is proficient in four types of welding, a skill he uses to motivate other and order today. Problems logging in? Contact Ginger Baerenwald at
young people to consider the industrial trades as a career choice. gingerb@fmanet.org or 815-227-8219.
Brennan appeared Sept. 15 in a video on YouTube inviting students
to apply for the scholarships. To qualify for the competition, students FABTECH Mexico 2009
must plan to attend a two-year trade or technical school next spring for FMA and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME),
classes in welding or other metal fabricating processes. announced plans to launch a new trade show, FABTECH® Mexico
To apply, students simply make a one-minute video explaining why June 2-4, 2009, at the CINTERMEX exhibition center in Monterrey,
they want to be in manufacturing, what career they seek, and where Mexico.
they want to attend school. They’re also encouraged to include footage FABTECH Mexico will co-locate with the established AWS
of themselves welding or fabricating metal. The deadline to post videos Weldmex (organized by the American Welding Society and Trade
is Nov. 9 and winners will be announced on Nov. 24. Show Consulting) and METALFORM Mexico (organized by the
In addition to the monetary prize, each scholarship winner will Precision Metalforming Association) shows. The joint event is
receive the full licensed version of the SolidWorks Student Design Kit expected to serve manufacturing professionals and practitioners
CAD software, a Windows-based 3D CAD application that gives throughout Mexico and Central America.
students the ability to create “real-life” 3D designs, and a VISTA®
auto-darkening welding helmet courtesy of The Lincoln Electric
Share Your Manufacturing Story on NAM’s
Company. Radio Program
“We are pleased to again offer the “GO-Brennan” scholarship “America’s Business” with Mike Hambrick is an hour-long radio
promotion to students seeking careers in manufacturing,” said Terrence program airing nationally in more than 60 markets. “America’s
Egan, director of the FMA Foundation. “We look forward to creating Business” explores the issues and people who make America the
excitement in the industry through this viral initiative, and seeing all of world’s manufacturing leader.
the applicants’ video testimonials of why they seek careers in Hosted by broadcast veteran Mike Hambrick, the show features
manufacturing. news, commentary and interviews with manufacturers, “the millions
“With manufacturers across the country reporting shortages of of people who make things”. Want to be featured on the radio show
skilled labor, it is important to attract young people to the many career and tell us and the country what you make and why it’s important
opportunities in sheet metal fabrication and welding,” added Egan. to the American economy? Contact Jeff Noah if you are interested in
A link to Brennan Palmiter’s YouTube video is available at telling your story; jnoah@nam.org.
fma-foundation.org.
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Aeroglide Corp. has been Vehicle Systems, has been program rewards the hard work The 2008 renewal recipients are:
acquired by the Bühler Group. appointed to its board of of the children and dependents Rebecca Dilloway, daughter of
Amada’s North American directors effective immediately. of Olympic Steel employees. The Brian and Rita Dilloway
Solution Center had its grand Epicor Software Corp. program annually awards up to (Southern Division).
opening October 15. announced that Edge Web 10 new $1,500 renewable Alyse Fields, daughter of Kenneth
Hosting has chosen Epicor scholarships to students and Jennifer Fields (Minneapolis
Senator Norm Coleman pursuing postsecondary degrees.
(R-Minnesota) visited BTD solutions to manage service for its Coil Subsidiary).
clients’ mission-critical systems. Seven new renewable scholarships
Manufacturing Inc. while on a and eight scholarship renewals Sara Konopinski, daughter of Ed
tour of Detroit Lakes to discuss FirstEnergy Corp. announces were awarded for the 2008-2009 and Christine Konopinski
energy needs and the impact Michael J. Dowling has been academic year. (Corporate Office, Cleveland).
the energy crisis could promoted to vice president, Shannon Phillips, daughter of
potentially have on the Communications. The 2008 new recipients are:
Jessica Cedor, daughter of Joseph Gerry and Janet Phillips (Eastern
manufacturing industry. North American Mazak Region – Connecticut Division).
and Dena Cedor (Connecticut
Butech Bliss introduced two new Optonics headquarters in Elgin, Division). Annette Sabatka – daughter of
products for coil processing at Ill., is scheduled to open in Phyllis and Dan Sabatka
the FABTECH & AWS Welding December. Michael Culek Jr., son of Michael
and DeAnn Culek (Cleveland (Corporate Office, Cleveland).
Show in Las Vegas. Butech Bliss Middle Atlantic Products
offers a complete cut to length Division). Timothy Shields - son of John
announced that Ouzunoff & and Patti Golly (Chicago
line, featuring the next Associates has won AV Rep of the Megan Feil, daughter of Donna
generation of hydraulic roller and Craig Feil (Minneapolis Coil Division).
Year for 2007.
levers for processing material of Subsidiary). Jennifer Corey, daughter of
a broad gauge range and hot and Rick Wenzel of Concept Richard and Margaret Majka
Machine Tool Sales will represent Zachary Hasbrouck, son of Keith
cold plates. and Robyn Hasbrouck (Eastern Region – Philadelphia
Minster Machine Co. in the Division).
DeWys Manufacturing upper Midwest. (Connecticut Division).
announced that Engineered Katie Larson, daughter of Steve Angela Garcia, daughter of
Technical Solutions Inc. has Oberg Industries, in an effort to Ysmael and Dawn Garcia
build on its leadership position in and Renee Larson (Corporate
joined the company as a Office, Cleveland). (Detroit Division).
manufacturer’s representative. the precision manufacturing
arena, has announced the Caroline Sable, daughter of Peddinghaus Corp. celebrated its
DeWys also achieved ISO creation of a focused operation Robert and Trudie Sable Oktoberfest event Sept. 24 – 27
recertification with the to support its continued growth (Minneapolis Coil Subsidiary). for customers, friends, and
International Quality System in the medical market—Oberg industry partners.
Standard ISO 9001:2000. Jennifer Slife, daughter of Shelia
Medical. and Doug Slife (Corporate PennEngineering announced the
DURA Automotive Systems Inc Olympic Steel Inc. announced Office, Cleveland). PEM® China zinc plating line has
announced Robert S. Oswald, the recipients of the Sol received approval from General
chairman of Bendix Commercial Siegal Scholarship Program. The Motors for use in plating parts.
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member anniversaries
11
Connections
member newsletter
november/december 2008
Connections Staff
Editor
Kimberly Pollard
kimp@fmanet.org
Contributing Writers
D’Ann Hamilton, Dena Mattausch,
Jim Warren
Member Services & Research Director
Nancy Olson
Membership Operations &
Customer Service Manager
Jill Klug
Graphic Designer
Sarah Currie
Contact us
Customer service: 888-394-4362 or
815-399-8775
Fax: 815-381-1371
FMA e-mail: info@fmanet.org
FMA Website: www.fmanet.org
TPA e-mail: info@tpatube.org
TPA Website: www.tpatube.org
FMA Connections is
published bimonthly by:
Fabricators & Manufacturers Associa-
tion, International®
Tube & Pipe Association, International®
833 Featherstone Rd.
Rockford, IL 61107-6302 USA