TALENT

NEW MENTORSHIP SERIES IMPACTS EMERGING LEADERS

By Rachael Pfenninger, director of strategic execution, AMBA

Although many up-and-coming leaders have a desire to learn from those who have come before them, accessing tribal knowledge from industry executives continues to be a challenge for next-generation employees, particularly in mold manufacturing. Between generational gaps, differences in communication, the lack of availability or an unwillingness to share, coach and train, employees who are ages 40 and under often are left to muddle along and figure it out on their own.

As much as this “tough it out” mentality may resonate with previous generations, it can be detrimental toward workforce development efforts and retention of next-generation

SESSION 1:

LEADERSHIP THROUGH OWNERSHIP

Mentors: Ray Coombs, president, Westminster Tool, and Troy Nix, executive director, AMBA • When you make yourself a victim, you miss the opportunity to learn and get better. • It’s important to raise your hand when failure happens and take responsibility. • Negative experiences are simply opportunities to overcome adversity and to learn more. • No one plans to come to work to screw up. • If you are passionate about becoming a better “you,” you will lead others to become passionate about being a better “them.” • Transparency impacts trust. A lack of transparency will damage the relationships around you. • Build it like you’d be dead before it’s done. Leading from the back empowers your workforce to carry on your mission and your company without needing you to be a part of every aspect. • Demonstrate gratitude. Feedback should never be all negative; make sure that you’re providing positive feedback as well. • Track what you want to work on and your progress. This will help with accountability and ownership (and will increase the respect others have for you).

employees. In fact, mentorship has benefits that go far beyond leadership development. According to the blog “How Mentoring Relationships Help Strengthen Your Company,” positive mentoring relationships can result in the following: • Increased knowledge transfer • Job satisfaction • Smart succession planning • Achievement of goals and objectives • Stronger internal networks • Improved staff retention.

In order to address the lack of this resource in mold manufacturing, the AMBA Emerging Leaders Network launched its 2021 “Meet the Mentor” series, which addresses challenges facing the next generation of leadership in mold manufacturing.

During this experience, AMBA’s up-and-coming leaders are able to access seasoned industry executives and absorb their insights and experiences. Through guidance, learned experiences and peer discussion, attendees walk away with strategies that can help them address current and upcoming challenges in their own environments.

“In our last Meet the Mentor session, we discussed risk and its relationship with opportunity,” said Patrick Brisson, United Tool and Mold. “Because I see myself as a risk-taker, the mentors’ messages and positive experiences really resonated with me. This session is just one example of many that, with access to the Emerging Leaders community and its resources, I am developing the knowledge and the tools that will help me embrace and prepare for future leadership opportunities.”

To date, AMBA’s Emerging Leaders have participated in two “Meet the Mentor” sessions. During these exchanges, key takeaways were shared and are listed in the Session 1 and Session 2 boxes.

The next session of the AMBA Emerging Leaders “Meet the Mentor” series will address key challenges in communication and provide coaching strategies that enable team facilitation. The session will be held on July 15, 2021, at 11 a.m. EST. Register at AMBA.org/Events.

SESSION 2:

RISK MANAGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING

Mentors: Charles Daniels, CFO, Wepco Plastics, and Justin McPhee, general manager, Westfall Technik Twin Cities • Risk doesn’t just present itself in the choices you make – sometimes there is a risk in not making a decision at all. • Be a part of the solution, not the problem. When you change your mindset and ask, “How can I help and positively impact the team?” it mitigates risk for everyone. • When you’re a leader, it’s always your responsibility. • Always, when an initiative succeeds, it’s because someone took the ball and ran with it. This mentality is a requirement for good and effective leadership. • Diversification directly impacts risk mitigation. Because risk is inherent in each decision, you can’t completely remove or alleviate it, but you can prepare for the risk so that you’re in a positive mental space to take it on when the opportunity arises. • Taking a leap of faith is how the best leaders reap the biggest rewards. You can weigh risk and make an educational decision, but sometimes you just have to give something a try. • When mistakes happen, don’t blame the person – blame the process. Taking responsibility to fix the process moving forward will help mitigate future risk for you, the team and the company.

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[1] AMBA CHICAGO CHAPTER RECOGNIZES APPRENTICES The Chicago Chapter of the AMBA has recognized three area apprentices as outstanding young people in their training for the mold manufacturing profession: Vincent Buskirk, Creative Die Mold Corporation; Tom Cicardo, Matrix Plastic Products; and Cody Paul, Industrial Molds. The apprentices were recognized in a virtual presentation in late April, where the 2021 Mold Your Career Award also was presented. The award went to Tom Cicardo (pictured), nominated by Mike Martin. At Matrix Plastic Products, Cicardo is entrusted with sinker EDM work on complex close tolerance molds. His passion is the reason that the company has him learning multiple departments, such as EDM, Mazak mill, mold maintenance, and manual milling and grinding. For more information, contact ambachicagochapter@comcast.net.

NEW VERSION OF MOLDEX3D RELEASED CoreTech System Co., Ltd. (Moldex3D), Hsinchu, Taiwan, a provider of professional CAE analysis solutions, has announced the release of Moldex3D 2021 – the latest version of its molding analysis software series. The new generation of Moldex3D continues to refine simulation capabilities to provide better user experiences. More powerful analysis modules also are incorporated in the system to meet different customer needs across industries. In response to a faster changing market in the Industry 4.0 era, Moldex3D 2021 helps businesses realize seamless design and manufacturing integration, producing products within stricter time limits. For more information, visit www.moldex3d.com.

OERLIKON SIGNS AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE INGLASS Oerlikon, Pfaeffikon, Schwyz, Switzerland, a provider of surface engineering, polymer processing and additive manufacturing, has announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire San Polo Piave, Italy-headquartered INglass S.p.A. and its hot runner systems technology operating under its HRSflow business. The acquisition accelerates Oerlikon’s strategy in diversifying its manmade fibers business – renamed Polymer Processing Solutions – to expand into the high-growth polymer processing solution market. The transaction, subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions, is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2021. For more information, visit www.oerlikon.com.

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SECO TOOLS PARTNERS WITH FUSION COOLANT SYSTEMS To become more sustainable in its machining practices, Seco Tools LLC, Troy, Michigan – a provider of metal cutting solutions for indexable milling, solid milling, turning, holemaking, threading and tooling systems – has partnered with Fusion Coolant Systems, which offers an environmentally friendly coolant technology that can lower carbon footprint while increasing performance. Both companies aim to make machining easier and more effective while maintaining environmental awareness. For more information, visit www.secotools.com.

[2] SIEMENS OFFERS NEW STOCK SYSTEM PACKAGE PROGRAM Siemens, a provider of distributed energy systems, automation and digitalization for manufacturing with US headquarters in Washington, DC, has announced that to offer a fast solution to US-based machine tool builders, system integrators and retrofitters, it will stock typical system packages in its Elk Grove Village, Illinois, facility. Packages include the Sinumerik 828D CNC, Sinamics drive and Simotics motor, available to ensure fast, efficient delivery in under 10 business days. Additional benefits of ordering the pre-defined packages include a price discount, simplified ordering and a shortened lead-time. The program is subject to availability; delivery time will depend upon stock available in Elk Grove Village. For more information, visit www.usa.siemens.com/828-fp.

[3] HRSFLOW CELEBRATES OVER 1,000 SYSTEMS SOLD HRSflow, San Polo di Piave, Italy, a maker of hot runner systems

page 26 for the injection molding industry, has passed the 1,000 mark in system sales. First introduced at K 2013, its servo-driven valve gate system has been a powerful driver of growth. The range of applications includes automotive engineering with lighting, interior, exterior and under-the-hood applications – increasingly also for electrically driven vehicles – as well as logistics, environmental, household and gardening. For more information, visit www.hrsflow.com.

MICHIANA GLOBAL MOLD ANNOUNCES NEW MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK Michiana Global Mold, Mishawaka, Indiana, has announced a new management framework. Kevin O’Connor will lead in the new role of director of operations for the company as it builds molds for plastics and rubber supplier of plastic parts. O’Connor joined MGM in 2015 as a global projects manager with a strong background in project management and engineering. Jim Hardig will take on the new role of shop foreman. Hardig is a journeyman moldmaker of 30 years and will continue to be a lead toolmaker in addition to his oversight responsibilities of tool making and specialty machine operations. Bill Stickley has assumed the new role of estimating & facilities manager. MGM customers or suppliers have counted on his support since 1995, and he will lead the estimating efforts of MGM’s domestic mold-build and repair/EC projects. Doug Tuveson, engineering manager/manufacturing engineer, and Kelly Kasner, director of sales and marketing, each have expanded their roles in the MGM organization. For more information, visit www.mgmold.com.

[4] AMERIMOLD 2021 COMES TO CHICAGO IN SEPTEMBER Amerimold 2021 will take place on September 22-23 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois. The tradeshow, which has been running since 1999, connects thousands of the top owners, management, production personnel and engineers involved in the complete lifecycle of the design, manufacture and maintenance of a mold. The event includes an exhibit hall, a diverse collection of Amerimold Tech Talks and various supply chain sourcing events to connect buyers and sellers of necessary manufacturing services. Further event details are available at www.amerimoldexpo.com.

PLASTEC WEST AND PLASTEC EAST STILL TO COME IN 2021 This summer, PLASTEC West – the annual plastic design and manufacturing event – will arrive in Anaheim, California, August 10-12, at the Anaheim Convention Center. Including parts and materials, molding, thermoforming and extrusion, PLASTEC West will offer suppliers and buyers an opportunity to discover innovation, engineer new technology and contribute to building a better and brighter future.

Attendees can expect to see the most recent developments in blow molding, machining, thermoforming, polymer casting, injection molding, 3D printing, extrusion and robotics. At the epicenter of the expo floor will be panel discussions, live demos, thought leadership presentations and much more. Education and activities – like exhibitor tech talks, lunch & learns and hands-on workshops – can be found just beyond the booths. Plus, there will be many opportunities to take part in formal and informal networking events across the expo floor. The free expo pass can be upgraded to include access to six deeper-dive technical educational conference tracks, more than 100 thought leaders and exclusive networking.

PLASTEC East, coming to the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York, New York, will take place December 7-9. As the East Coast’s largest design and manufacturing event, PLASTEC East is for buyers, executives and decision-makers looking to network and source the latest technology in product design, automation, plastics, quality and more. Attendees will interact with world-class suppliers, test drive the latest technologies and innovations, network with industry peers and thought leaders, and expand industry knowledge at the event.