Springs winter 2012 vol 51 no1 by Spring Manufacturers Institute

T h e I n t e r n a ti o n a l M a g a z i n e o f S p r i n g M a n u f a c t u r e

Winter 2012, Volume 51 Number 1

A Publication of the Spring Manufacturers Institute

SPRINGS IN THE

LEISURE INDUSTRY

Celebrating Springs in Leisure Products 23 Are You Learning? 33 The Three Circles of a Family Business 43

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President’s Message From Scott Rankin

A Leisurely Contribution The idea of leisure products brought me to a realization that I don’t really take time for leisure activities. Between running a business and three young adults doing their best to use up my time and money, I have chosen a lifestyle that does not include leisure activities. I do not work 24 hours a day and I do take time for myself, but the focus is not usually on leisure, it’s usually on working elsewhere. Much of my leisure time is spent helping teens find a path to success. It is a way to mentor them and show that adults do care about them and their future. Recently I have been trying to share the message of “contribution” and how it can make your life more fun and rewarding. Sometimes this is well received and other times it is just like Charlie Brown’s mom, with noise coming out of an adult and no real coherency. Recently I spoke to a group of teens in London on the contribution subject. I asked them what they’ve done in the past and got the usual blank stares. I asked what makes this so difficult? They responded that they don’t have the time or the money to do something that makes a difference. They need a foundation to back them and they need money to further their cause. So I asked what is the cause? Silence. We talked about ways to give that don’t cost. Like a smile and a listening ear to a friend or even a stranger. Then the idea of free hugs came out. So they carried a simple sign offering free hugs. Fairly cheap, but very bold. The challenge was on to see what could be done, at low or no cost, to change the world for the better. It’s amazing to me how easy it is to motivate a teen by using simple instructions with no rules. This group of 100 was on a mission. By the next day the reports were coming in. Every person within a mile radius had been hugged. Smiles were abundant to all neighbors or anyone who passed by. But then it got creative. The local park was cleaned of every piece of trash. Cars in the parking lot were blessed with a Post-it note that said “You are loved” or “There is greatness in this car” or “Someone thinks you are cute.” One group washed the windows at a factory. Some volunteered at a homeless shelter. And that was the beginning. My Facebook page is added to daily by one of them sharing their contribution activity with the group, which is in itself a contribution to motivate others. To me this is a great leisure activity and it has the benefit of allowing others to soar and find their own happiness. Maybe it’s time we all share what we do to help others. I am aware that most of us have a means to contribute and do it on a constant basis. The missing link to me is the ability to share what we do with others so they can see that it does not have to be difficult or painful. It’s just thinking of others. Even teens can do it and they teach the lessons through their actions. It’s all leisure. Succeed with Passion,

Scott Rankin President, Vulcan Spring & Mfg. Co. scott@vulcanspring.com

SMI Executive Committee President, Scott Rankin, Vulcan Spring & Manufacturing • Vice President, Steve Moreland, Automatic Spring Products • Secretary/Treasurer, Russ Bryer, Spring Team • Immediate Past President, Reb Banas, Stanley Spring & Stamping • At Large, Mike Betts, Betts Spring SMI Board of Directors Tom Armstrong, Duer/Carolina Coil • Jim Callaghan, MW Industries • Ron Curry, Gifford Spring • Ann Davey, John Evans’ Sons • Chris Fazio, Diamond Wire • Kurt Gillespie, Century Spring • Richard Guimont, Liberty Spring • Gene Huber Jr, Winamac Coil • Miko Kabeshita, Ark Technologies • Steve Kempf, Lee Spring • Brett Nudelman, International Spring • Hap Porter, SEI Metaltek • Byron Ress, Zapp Precision Strip • Richard Rubenstein, Plymouth Spring • Dan Sceli, Peterson Spring • Jeff Wharin, Bohne Spring • Ted White, Hardware Products • Chris Witham, Motion Dynamics Springs Magazine Staff Lynne Carr, Advertising Sales, lynne@smihq.org Gary McCoy, Managing Editor, gmccoy@fairwaycommunications.com Dina Sanchez, Assistant Editor, dina@smihq.org Sue Zubek, Graphic Designer, zubekdesign@gmail.com Springs Magazine Committee Chair, Richard Rubenstein, Plymouth Spring • Reb Banas, Stanley Spring & Stamping • Lynne Carr, SMI • Raquel Chole, Dudek & Bock • Ritchy Froehlich, Ace Wire Spring & Form • Bud Funk, Fourslide Products • Brett Nudelman, International Spring • Tim Weber, Forming Systems • Europe Liaison: Richard Schuitema, Dutch Spring Association • Technical Advisor: Loren Godfrey, Honorary Member Advertising sales - Japan Ken Myohdai, Sakura International Inc. 22-11 Harimacho 1-Chome, Abeno-ku Osaka 545-0022 Japan Phone: +81-6-6624-3601 • Fax: +81-6-6624-3602 E-mail: info@sakurain.co.jp Advertising sales - Europe Jennie Franks, Franks & Co. 63 St. Andrew's Road Cambridge United Kingdom CB41DH Phone/Fax: +44-1223-360472 E-mail: franksco@BTopenworld.com Advertising sales - Taiwan Robert Yu, Worldwide Services Co. Ltd. 11F-B, No 540, Sec. 1, Wen Hsin Rd. Taichung, Taiwan Phone: +886-4-2325-1784 • Fax: +886-4-2325-2967 E-mail: stuart@wwstaiwan.com Springs (ISSN 0584-9667) is published quarterly by SMI Business Corp., a subsidiary of the Spring Manufacturers Institute: 2001 Midwest Road, Suite 106, Oak Brook, IL 60523; Phone: (630) 495-8588; Fax: (630) 495-8595;Web site www.smihq.org.Address all correspondence and editorial materials to this address. The editors and publishers of Springs disclaim all warranties, express or implied, with respect to advertising and editorial content, and with respect to all manufacturing errors, defects or omissions made in connection with advertising or editorial material submitted for publication. The editors and publishers of Springs disclaim all liability for special or consequential damages resulting from errors, defects or omissions in the manufacturing of this publication, any submission of advertising, editorial or other material for publication in Springs shall constitute an agreement with and acceptance of such limited liability. The editors and publishers of Springs assume no responsibility for the opinions or facts in signed articles, except to the extent of expressing the view, by the fact of publication, that the subject treated is one which merits attention. Do not reproduce without written permission. Cover art created using images from the following: ©iStockphoto.com/Valerie Loiseleux, ©iStockphoto.com/Shaun Lowe, ©iStockphoto.com/Kyle McCarthy, ©iStockphoto.com/Jonathan Lesage, ©iStockphoto.com/Anna Minkevich, ©iStockphoto.com/Rubberball, ©iStockphoto.com/Joe McDaniel, Image Source/Punchstock

2 SPRINGS Winter 2012

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Table of Contents

36 FEATURES 23 Celebrating Springs in Leisure Products By Gary McCoy 31 More Than 130 Women Gather for First Women in Manufacturing Symposium 33 Are You Learning? By John A. Passante

DEPARTMENTS 2 President’s Message A Leisurely Contribution

7 Global Highlights

16 Regional Spring Association Report 28 Flashback Women in the Spring Making Industry By Thelma J. Peterson

49 Springmaker Spotlight 36 SMI Fall Meeting Provides Business The Best of East and West: A Profile of Information Oasis Miko Kabeshita and Ark Technologies By Gary McCoy 43 The Three Circles of a Family Business 57 Inside SMI By Michael Lobraico, Jonathan Isaacs Learn to “Innovate Like Edison” at 2012 and Mitchell Singer SMI Annual Meeting; International Spring Scholarship Established; 2012 SMI Webinar 47 Bud Funk Honored with Schedule Announced; SMI Board Meeting Humanitarian Service Award Held in Las Vegas 55 Join the Conversation! SMI on LinkedIn Are Four-Slide Machines Obsolete?

COLUMNS 19 Be Aware Safety Tips Noise is Hazardous By Jim Wood 21

4 SPRINGS Winter 2012

IST Spring Technology Cautionary Tale: Springs in the Leisure Industry By Mark Hayes

61 New Products 63 Advertisers’ Index 64 Snapshot Brett Nudelman, International Spring Company

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Global Highlights North America MW Industries, Inc., a leading manufacturer of highly engineered specialty springs and fasteners and a portfolio company of Genstar Capital, has appointed Bill Marcum as its chief executive officer (CEO). He replaces Dan Sebastian, who has chosen to retire after serving as MW Industries’ CEO for more than 15 years. Sebastian will continue his association with MW Industries as a senior advisor to the company. Marcum joins MW Industries with wide-ranging experience in industrial component markets. He has over 30 years of experience in managing operations, strategic planning and organizational development both in the U.S. and internationally in multiple industries. He has successfully built profitable companies through both add-on acquisitions and organic initiatives. “Bill is a strong leader who will help drive continued growth at MW Industries,” said Rob S. Rutledge, a member of the board of directors of MW Industries and a vice president of Genstar Capital. “He has an outstanding record of success and we are confident that his global experience will drive profitable long-term growth and further solidify MW Industries’ reputation as a leader in its industry.” “I am excited about leading this extraordinary organization,” said Marcum. “I look forward to leading this company and working with the talented management team and employees to further expand the business.” Marcum succeeds Sebastian, who served as MW Industries’ CEO since 1995. “Shortly after Genstar’s acquisition of MW Industries in June, I indicated my desire to retire and agreed to remain with the company until a replacement was named in order to ease the transition to new leadership. I am proud of what we have accomplished at MW during my tenure at the company and I believe the right team is in place with the support of experienced investors to accelerate its growth well into the future. I look forward to continuing to help advise the company and Bill going forward.” “Dan has been instrumental in making MW Industries a leader in the industry and we thank him for his many contributions. We also thank him for ensuring this smooth management transition. Everyone at Genstar and the company wish him well in his new endeavors and look forward to his continuing involvement in his new role as a senior advisor to the company,” said Rutledge. Marcum most recently was CEO of former Genstar portfolio company Woods Equipment Company, a manufacturer and distributor of attachments and spare parts for the agriculture and construction

equipment industries. Prior to joining Woods, he was president of Carlisle Power Transmission, Inc., a division of Carlisle Companies. He earlier served as vice president, international operations, for the Global Fluid Power Division of Gates Corporation and prior to this assignment, he was president of Gates Unitta Asia. He received a B.S. degree from Arizona State University. Also, MW Industries announced the acquisition of Economy Spring of Southington, Conn. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Sebastian commented, “We are very pleased to complete this transaction of a company that is as highly respected in our industry as Economy Spring. Their reputation for high-quality and best-in-class manufacturing will fit well within the MW Industries’ family of companies.” He further commented, “In the current economic climate we have renewed our efforts to expand in the industries and markets we serve. The company intends to continue to put its new capital

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structure to work in expanding our geographic reach and servicing our key markets.” Leo Charette, owner and CEO of Economy Spring, said, “Together with my dedicated and hardworking employees, we have built a strong and viable company. I am pleased to be assisting with an orderly transition and continuing the excellent service that our customers expect from Economy Spring. It is an exciting time for all of the Economy employees as they become part of a strong and growing company in the spring industry.” Scott Keihle, MWI’s COO, added, “Economy Spring will allow us to expand into new markets and increase our market share in some of our core markets.” Jim

Best Wishes

Daniel R. Sebastian | President & CEO Dan – During your 20 great years of leadership, MW Industries grew from one company to 14 divisions, becoming one of the largest spring and electronic hardware companies in North America. The 1,003 employees of MW Industries thank you and wish you many happy and healthy years of retirement.

Congratulations!

8 SPRINGS Winter 2012

Callaghan, MWI’s CFO, also commented, “We are excited about adding Economy Spring to MWI. It will add to our financial strength and help us better serve our customers.” MW Industries, Inc. (www.mw-ind.com) is a manufacturer and distributor of springs, stampings, and specialty fasteners. Started 80 years ago as a single company, MWI today operates 13 facilities and employs approximately 900 people. MWI serves the global transportation, construction, agriculture, electronic, medical, energy, power tool, and industrial machinery industries with precision-engineered custom parts and off-the-shelf catalog components. MWI joined the Genstar Capital, LLC, a middle market, private equity firm, in June of 2011. Rutledge, who leads Genstar’s Industrial Technology vertical, said, “We are excited in making this initial investment with the team at MWI. This investment in Economy will help drive growth both organically and open up additional acquisition opportunities.” Economy Spring and Stamping was incorporated in November 1981. The company is a manufacturer of springs using advanced, high-tech coiling applications, metal stampings, and wire forms by the fourslide process, torsion operations, and proprietary forming equipment. Under Charette’s leadership, the company has steadily grown to become a part of the local industrial base. Industrial Steel and Wire (ISW) president, Dr. Brian Furlong, announced the August 2011 relocation of their Cleveland, Ohio facility to a new warehouse in Brook Park, Ohio. The company says the new warehouse, strategically located just off the main highway system, was custom engineered to ensure a more efficient material flow as well as an expanded wire racking system for even faster ex-stock wire deliveries. “This move will allow us to more efficiently service our customers particularly in Cleveland and the greater Cleveland area as well as Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, N.Y. and eastern Canada,” says Dr. Furlong. The company’s new address is 6511 Eastland Road, Brook Park, Ohio, 44142. The telephone numbers remain the same, (216) 671-6100, or (800) 767-4434. Also, Furlong announced that Dan Foster has joined ISW as director of sales and marketing. Foster has worked in the wire industry for more than 20 years, with a specialized focus on sales and marketing. Most recently, he was sales manager for the Sivaco Wire Group. In his role new role, Foster will be responsible for continuing to build name recognition and awareness for ISW and its extensive product line as well as the introduction of new products for the spring and fastener industry. He will be located at ISW’s corporate office in Chicago, Ill.

(left to right) Frank Fazio, Paul Fazio, Don Lynch (36-year employee), and Don Fazio at the Diamond Wire Spring 70th Anniversary Celebration.

Diamond Wire Spring Company, designer and manufacturer of spring and wire forms of all shapes and sizes for industrial markets, celebrated the occasion of its 70th anniversary with a dinner cruise and entertainment for employees and their guests onboard the Duchess of the Gateway Clipper Fleet. During the evening, employees were presented awards in recognition of their years of service to the company. Diamond was founded in 1939, and incorporated in 1941. The company is headquartered in Glenshaw, Pa., along with its catalog division, and has manufacturing plants in Pittsburgh, Pa., Tyler, Texas and Taylors, S. C. Global responsibility and consumer awareness lead the list of key forces that provide opportunities and challenges for quality to influence and affect change in the future, according to ASQ’s 2011 Future of Quality Study, which was released in October 2011. The report lists eight significant forces that will play a role in the future of quality. In addition to global responsibility and consumer awareness, the list includes globalization, the increasing rate of change, workforce of the future, aging population, 21st-century quality, and innovation. The eight key forces were determined through worldwide, in-depth qualitative research and deliberation among 140 quality leaders from every economic sector.

The report, which was first published in 1996, can be downloaded at www.ASQ.org/about-asq/howwe-do/futures-study.html. The report is released every three years and provides organizations and individuals — particularly quality management leaders and strategists — with insights into the future of quality in business, institutions and communities. The study is designed to help quality professionals lead change instead of reacting to it. “Many studies are about answers. This study is not,” ASQ CEO Paul Borawski says in the report’s opening message. “(This study) is about focus, exploration, and broadening your consideration of the future.” In addition to determining the key factors that will shape the future of quality, the report provides alternative scenarios, serving as narratives, as to how the key factors might unfold and the implications to organizations, the field of quality, and the quality profession. Using the study as a starting point, ASQ will conduct a series of dialogues with stakeholders from around the globe to further explore the implications. The discussions will help organizations, individuals, and ASQ develop strategies and plans to anticipate the future. “This study provides organizations and individuals a glimpse into the future of quality,” Borawski said. “We encourage people passionate about quality to use the study to determine how the findings can affect them in their professional and personal lives.”

SPRINGS Winter 2012 9

TCT Stainless Steel, Inc., of Sterling Heights, Mich., has recently improved their processing capabilities by adding a second Zmill. This new rolling mill gives them capacity to roll stainless steel from thicknesses of .001 inches to .187 inches, in tempers ranging from 1/8 hard to full hard. “With the two rolling mills, we are positioned perfectly in the market to provide quality tempered products in two to three days,” says Andrea Mazzarini, general manager of TCT Stainless Steel, Inc. “The current volatility of the market has many customers unable to provide forecasts. Our quick lead time and the ability to temper in house allow us to react quickly to their ever-changing demands. It also allows us to properly supply light gauge tempered stainless to the precise specifications necessary for market segments including medical, aerospace, electronics, and automotive.”

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Six Sigma, a data-driven method for improving business and quality performance, has been published as a two-part ISO standard. Six Sigma was originally developed by Motorola in 1986 to ameliorate manufacturing processes with the goal of 99.99966 percent of products free of defects. Bringing its best practice together under an ISO standard helps solidify and consolidate the methodology. The ISO brand is respected and recognized worldwide, and thus provides an added layer of confidence. For more information, visit www.iso.org. The Wire Association International (WAI), Inc. has a new career center on its website, www.wirenet.org, specific for the wire and cable sector. The new service offers a robust set of features with benefits that engage job seekers and meet employers’ recruitment needs. The service allows job seekers to find industry-specific job opportunities, post their resume anonymously, and create job alerts. Because of the targeted nature of this new service, job seekers can accomplish exhaustive searches quickly, on one website, without the need to review job postings on the mass job boards. Employers have access to a targeted and qualified pool of talent by advertising job openings on the job board. Benefits include the ability to easily post jobs and set-up pre-screen filters to deliver the best candidates. All contact information in the candidate’s profile is kept anonymous, yet employers and recruiters can review an individual’s credentials, experience, and career objectives. Interested employers can request contact information, the release of which is based entirely on the candidate’s interest in the job. Advertising opportunities include bundled and discounted job posting packages.

To learn more visit www.wirenet.org and click on the “Job Center” icon, or call WAI’s sales department, (203) 453-2777, ext. 180.

The new website offers detailed information about Vulcan innovations including the Pullbox®. The Pullbox® is ideal for product positioning, as a theft deterrent for product samples, as a counterbalance or as a wire harness positioner. Using Vulcan’s constant torque spring technology, the Pullbox provides consistent, reliable tension at a variety of forces, with a range of versatile end fittings. Vulcan’s new website provides customer access to specialized design help, including customized solutions to match individual applications.

Also at WAI, the newly structured WAI Operations Summit & Wire Expo will be held May 22-23, 2012, at the Omni Dallas Hotel, Dallas, Texas. The new program format will feature a plant operations focus, with local hosts Encore Wire Corp. and Gerdau Ameristeel Corp. providing facility tours. The event will be held in conjunction with the American Wire Producers Association (AWPA) conference, which will precede the summit on May 21–22, 2012. The October 6th booth selection process resulted in a 75 percent allocation of available You decided to be the best, so exhibit space for the Wire Expo this decision will be easy. portion of the event. The Wire Expo exhibition is expected to Just tell us what you need. PSW include participation from more guarantees your spring steel is than 200 companies displaying premium quality, perfectly finished wire and cable making solutions and supplies. For more information visit www.wirenet.org/events/ wireexpo/index.htm.

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Vulcan Spring and Manufacturing Co., a leading designer and manufacturer of flat steel springs and related assemblies for diverse global markets, has launched their new full-featured re-designed website at www.vulcanspring.com. The new site offers simpler navigation, more content including videos and multimedia, the fast Quickfinder search application, and more interactive features. “Our new website better reflects Vulcan’s ongoing focus on people, and our commitment to customer service and support,” said Vulcan president Scott Rankin. “Vulcan has always been a company that believes in personalized service and focus. That’s why our new site is a brighter, friendlier, contentrich and an easier -to-navigate place for current and prospective customers.”

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“We’ve been leading the way in flat spring technology, especially in constant and variable force springs, for more than 45 years,” Rankin adds. “Our new website simply brings us closer to our customers, so that we can work in partnership with them to provide effective mechanical, display, and transportation solutions.” Vulcan also offers spiral torsion springs and wire forms for industrial and retail display markets and applications, and information about these solutions is also available on the site. For more information, visit www.vulcanspring. com, email sales@vulcansprings.com, or phone (215) 721-1721.

International The recent staging of wire Southeast ASIA 2011 – 3rd Wire & Cable Trade Fair for Southeast Asia and Tube Southeast ASIA 2011 – 3rd International Tube & Pipe Trade Fair for Southeast Asia in Bangkok attracted a record 392 exhibitors and more than 5,300 quality trade visitors from 60 countries (40 percent of which came from outside of Thailand). This marks a 30 percent increase in exhibitor participation and a 20 percent rise in visitor attendance compared to the 2009 events. Visitors from ASEAN nations (including

Thailand) accounted for about 80 percent of the visitor total, indicating that ASEAN buyers consider Thailand the leading forum for trade and business and the gateway to Southeast Asia for product distribution in the region. The strong visitor attendance, particularly from India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore further highlights the increasing significance of ASEAN as a “collective whole” and dynamic common market moving towards a single economic community by 2015. Attendees also included delegations from China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines and Vietnam. Highlights at this year’s exhibitions included eight country pavilions and groups from Austria, China, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Singapore, Taiwan and the U.S. (supported by the Wire and Cable Industries Suppliers Association–WCISA). There was also a creative design showcase on stainless steel industrial products presented by members of the Thai Stainless Steel Development Association (TSSDA). The next wire/Tube Southeast ASIA will take place from September 17–19, 2013 in Bangkok. For further information, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, (312) 781-5180, or visit www.mdna.com. The Japan Spring Machine Show 2011 was held November 24-26, 2011 at the Plaza Industry Ota in Tokyo, Japan. The show is a biennial business trade show dedicated exclusively to the production of springs. The show marked its ninth anniversary and had been held in Nagoya since its start in 1995, until this year, when it was decided by the planning committee to move the show to Tokyo. The show included the semiannual lecture meeting of the Japan Society of Spring Engineers (JSSE) and the 4th Symposium of the Association of Shape Memory Alloys (ASMA). Messe Düsseldorf and its partner Grupo Cipa will launch a new trade fair for the wire and cable industry in Brazil. The first wire South America will take place from October 8 - 10, 2013 at the Imigrantes Exposicoes Exhibition Centre in Sao Paulo (concurrently with TUBOTECH, International Trade Fair for Pipes, Valves, Fittings and Components). For more information, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, (312) 781-5180, or visit www.mdna.com. From May 28–31, 2012 the trade fair trio MetallurgyLitmash (International Trade Fair for Metallurgy, Machinery, Plant Technology and Products), Tube Russia (The International Tube and Pipe Trade Fair in Russia) and Aluminum/Non-Ferrous (International Trade Fair for Aluminum and Non-Ferrous Metals, Materials, Technologies and Products) will return to the ZAO Expocenter in Moscow.

12 SPRINGS Winter 2012

The trade fairs will be jointly organized by Messe Düsseldorf together with its subsidiary Messe Düsseldorf Moscow and its Russian partner MetalExpo. Supporting association include the International Tube Association (ITA), the European Committee of Industrial Furnace and Heating Equipment Associations (CECOF), the European Foundry Equipment Suppliers Association (CEMAFON) as well as the European Metallurgical Equipment Association (EUnited Metallurgy) and the German Engineering Federation (VDMA). The three trade fairs will present the latest innovations for the metal pipe and metalworking industries. When the trade fair trio was last held in 2011, a total of 265 exhibitors from 24 countries showcased their products to 10,500 visitors (includes attendees at the concurrently held wire Russia trade fair). For further infor mation, contact Messe Düsseldorf, (312) 781-5180 or visit www.mdna.com

of the second half of 2012. Engineers from both companies will be working together to assure that a thorough transfer of technology takes place. Henri-Jean Velge, Bekaert group executive vice president wire stated, “Engine valve spring quality wires complement Bekaert’s product offering in automotive spring wire. We are pleased to be working with ASW, who is an established manufacturer of the product. We look forward to serving the fast growing need for these wires in Asia.” Timothy W. Selhorst, president and CEO of ASW, expressed his enthusiasm for the new venture. “I’m proud

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Bekaert and American Spring Wire (ASW) announced a joint agreement to supply engine valve spring quality (VSQ) wires to Asian markets. Last month, the companies entered into a definitive license agreement establishing the terms of a technology transfer to Bekaert’s Jiangyin wire plant located in China’s Jiangsu Province. ASW will provide Bekaert technical assistance in the design and installation of equipment, as well as process knowledge and commercial support to develop the VSQ wire markets throughout Asia, China and India in particular. The agreement specifically identifies the licensed technologies, products and territories targeted by the partnership. In addition, it establishes ASW as Bekaert’s representative for VSQ wires sold in North America. The new VSQ wire line in Bekaert’s Jiangyin wire plant will be modeled after ASW’s U.S. operation located in Bedford Heights, Ohio. Both partners believe the new capacity will produce the first qualification coils in the course

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of ASW’s history and knowledge in valve spring wire. The quality of the wires we produce sets the standard in the world, and the manufacturing equipment and processes we use are modern and innovative. We are pleased to be teamed with Bekaert’s international knowledge and presence, and look forward to soon positioning Bekaert’s Jiangyin plant to offer these products to the fastest developing markets in the world.” Also, ASW announced RettCo Steel, LLC as the contract manufacturer for producing seven-wire PC Strand on ASW’s behalf. The multi-year conversion agreement and newly formed strategic partnership will enable the manufacture and sale of PC Strand to

14 SPRINGS Winter 2012

ASW’s many customers throughout the eastern and midwestern United States. The partnership began production of PC Strand starting this past October. This will coincide with the idling of ASW’s PC Strand manufacturing equipment located in Bedford Heights, Ohio by the end of the year. ASW intends to service their traditional customers with products manufactured from the RettCo partnership. In addition, the company also plans to be a southeast regional commercial presence, given RettCo’s advantageous location in Newnan, Georgia, just south of Atlanta. “Our relationship with RettCo will give us the opportunity to continue serving our traditional customers and to serve new ones.” Selhorst said. “The partnership gives us a great opportunity to substitute our older machinery with RettCo’s modern plant and equipment.” While there are no immediate plans to disassemble the equipment in Bedford Heights, Selhorst indicated the space could be used to expand production of ASW’s premium spring wire product lines. “We’re very pleased to be teamed up with an existing strand market player.” said Barry Retter, president of RettCo. “ASW has a great reputation in the marketplace and I believe we’ve found the right partner to leverage what we do best: making high quality and dependable PC Strand at a competitive cost.” In conjunction with the announcement, ASW has hired Ronald Mann as a sales and technical services representative. Mann brings over 35 years of experience in the PC Strand industry to ASW and is favorably regarded throughout the construction markets. He will work from his office in Jacksonville, Fla. For more information, contact ASW at (216) 292-4620 or visit www.amspringwire.com; contact RettCo at (770) 252-5525. u

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Regional Spring Association Report CASMI Focuses on Spring World 2012 at October Dinner A kickoff dinner for Spring World 2012 was held by the Chicago Association of Spring Manufacturers, Inc. (CASMI) on October 20, 2011 at the Wellington Restaurant in Arlington Heights, Ill. T h o m a s F. R e n k , C A S M I executive director and 2012 Spring World show manager, announced that the 2012 show will be held October 3-5, 2012 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. He pointed out that exhibitors will have two full days to setup for the show on October 1-2 and that a majority of floor space has already been sold. The meeting also included a humorous presentation by Conor Cunneen, a Illinois-based motivational speaker and the author of “Why Ireland Never Invaded America - An Insightful Unique Look at Corporate Strategy.” Cunneen described himself as “an Irishman happily exiled in Naperville, Illinois,” where he says the Guinness is drinkable (thankfully), the natives are friendly and he is only 30 minutes from

NESMA Golf Outing NESMA (The New England Spring and Metal Stamping Association) held its annual golf outing this past fall. NESMA is led by its new president, George Fournier of Acme Monaco Corp. Bill Lathrop of Colonial Han-Dee Spring, LLC is NESMA’s vice president. For additional information on NESMA, visit www.nesma-usa.com.

16 SPRINGS Winter 2012

Chicago’s O’Hare Airport,though he said, “Illinois State Troopers might disagree slightly with that!” Though funny and highly entertaining, Cunneen had a serious message about “The Gift of Gab.” He pointed out that gab stands for goals, attitudes and behavior. He said clear goals and a good attitude

can help determine your success in business. Regarding the role of the last letter in “gab,” Cunneen said “your behavior creates your brand. Your brand will determine how successful you’ll be.” For more information on CASMI, visit www.casmi-springworld.org or phone (630) 369-3466. One of the foursomes from NESMA golf outing, pictured (l-to-r): Bud Funk, Lynne Carr, Tom Plouffe, and Russ Bryer.

WCSMA Holds Tabletop Expo

The 2011 Tabletop Expo, sponsored by the West Coast Spring Manufacturers Association (WCSMA), was held Thursday, October 6, 2011 at the Holiday Inn in La Mirada, Calif. The event is held every two years. The expo featured exhibits from leading suppliers to the spring

manufacturing and metal forming industries. Attendance at the event increased significantly since 2009, according to Debra Donley, FTR Associates, who helped direct the event for WCSMA. For additional information on WCSMA, visit their Facebook page or www.wcsma.us. u

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18 SPRINGS Winter 2012

Be Aware

Noise is Hazardous By Jim Wood Safety Tips

SHA’s Hearing Conservation standard and the lack of hearing protection rank near the top of all violations pertaining to personal protective equipment. Just issuing hearing protection devices to employees is not considered compliance to the program. Also, wearing hearing protection devices is not a voluntary program; it is much more complicated than that. All hearing conservation programs must be in writing, complete with a management statement explaining the dangers of industrial noise and the necessity for hearing protection. Furthermore, programs must make the use of hearing protection devices mandatory.

Who are the Affected Employees? To determine which departments and/or employees the program would affect, you must conduct exposure monitoring in the various areas of your facility. Retain the services of an industrial hygienist (this is normally a free service provided by worker’s compensation insurance carriers) to take eight-hour time-weighted average testing in any department that has a sound level reading of 85 decibels or more. Based on the results of the eight-hour testing, you can initiate a hearing conservation program. The Hearing Conservation standard establishes a permissible noise level of 90 decibels for eight hours and requires the employer to reduce exposure to that level by use of feasible engineering and/or administrative controls. However, all employees whose Jim Wood is an independent regulations compliance consultant to the Spring Manufacturers Institute (SMI). A certified instructor of the OSHA Out-Reach Program, Wood conducts seminars, plant Safety Audits and In-House Safety Trainings. These programs help companies create safer work environments, limit OSHA/Canadian Ministry of Labor violations and insurance costs, and prepare for VPP or SHARP certification. He is also available for safety advice and information by phone at (630) 495-8597 or via e-mail at regs@smihq.org.

The Hearing Conservation standard establishes a permissible noise level of 90 decibels for eight hours and requires the employer to reduce exposure to that level by use of feasible engineering and/ or administrative controls.

noise exposure equals or exceeds an eight-hour timeweighted average of 85 decibels must be included in the hearing conservation program.

Hearing Program Procedures OSHA-compliant hearing conservation programs are comprised of the following five basic components: 1. Exposure monitoring to establish program guidelines. Employees are entitled to observe monitoring procedures and must be notified of results. Employers must continue monitoring as product or process changes make it necessary. 2. Audiometric testing of all affected employees. This provides an opportunity to educate employees about their hearing and the importance of protecting it. Establish a baseline and monitor employees’ hearing annually. 3. Hearing protection is mandatory. Let employees choose among the types of hearing protection devices that are suitable for their noise level; comfort encourages compliance. Employers must provide protection without cost to the employees. 4. Train all affected employees annually. When workers understand the reason behind the hearing conservation program and the need to protect their hearing, they will be better motivated to actively participate in the program. They will also be more likely to cooperate by wearing their protectors and

SPRINGS Winter 2012 19

©iStockphoto.com/travellinglight

taking audiometric tests. Training must include the purpose, advantages and disadvantages of various types of hearing protectors; the selection, fit and care of protectors; and the purpose and procedures of audiometric testing. 5. Recordkeeping. Noise-exposure measurement records must be kept for two years. Records of audiometric test results must be maintained for the duration of employment. Audiometric test records must include the name and job classification of the employees, the date, the examiner’s name, date of last equipment calibration, measurement of background sound levels in audiometric test room, and the employees’ most recent noise exposure measurement.

Jim’s Regulatory Tip Noise is dangerous. Listed below are some interesting statistics I compiled.

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Decibel level 60 decibels 75 decibels 85 decibels 95 decibels 105 decibels 115 decibels 125 decibels 135 decibels 145 decibels 165 decibels

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Decibel Exposure Time Guidelines Following are the accepted standards for recommended permissible exposure time for continuous time-weighted average noise, according to NIOSH and CDC 2002. For every decibel over 85 decibels, the permissible exposure time before possible damage can occur is cut in half.

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20 SPRINGS Winter 2012

Noise typical speech washing machine busy city traffic gas mower or hair dryer iPod or tractor leaf blower, rock concert, chainsaw ambulance, jack hammer jet plane from 100 feet fireworks, gun shot 12-gauge shot gun

Continuous decibel level 85 db 88 db 91 db 94 db 97 db 100 db 103 db 106 db 109 db 112 db 115 db

27.10.11 12:06

Permissible Exposure Time 8 hours 4 hours 2 hours 1 hour 30 minutes 15 minutes 7.5 minutes 3.75 minutes 1.875 minutes .9375 (1 minute) .4687 (30 seconds)

Cautionary Tale: Springs in the Leisure Industry By Mark Hayes

spring is a device that is deformed under an applied load; the energy so stored is given back when the applied load is removed, often working at better than 99 percent efficiency. This is precisely the action a spring does when it is used in a trampoline or in gymnastic apparatus. When I heard the theme of this magazine I was reminded of a recent “YouTube” clip in which a gymnast was launched into the audience due to a malfunctioning spring. There are obvious leisure industry springs that must be reliable, but there are many others not so easily recognized. One such are the underwires in a sports bra, and before readers’ imaginations get too carried away with these springs, the cycling that causes the risk of fatigue occurs in the washing machine, not on the athlete. Talking of athletes, should there be springs in runner’s shoes? Is this cheating? Should they be permitted in prostheses for disabled athletes? These springs are causing much debate today, but I emphasize; a spring is only up to 99 percent efficient — it cannot be 110 percent efficient. Springs have many applications in sports equipment. Perhaps the earliest spring used by man was the archer’s bow, originally used to hunt for food. The most dramatic example of a spring in sports may be the pole used for vaulting. The motor sports industry also uses many special springs for the suspension, brakes, gear box, etc. Some motor racing protocols insist on the use of springs for the valves, which is definitely more fuel efficient than the F1 system of closing valves pneumatically. In case you think that the F1 accident

Mark Hayes is technical adviser at the Institute of Spring Technology (IST) in Sheffield, England. He guides IST’s spring failure analysis service and provides metallurgical advice to IST customers; he also delivers spring training courses that the Institute offers globally. Readers are encouraged to contact IST with comments about this cautionary tale, and with subjects that they would like to be addressed in future tales, by e-mail ist@ist.org.uk.

Spring Technology

in which Filipe Massa was hit on the head by a spring was due to a spring problem: that titanium suspension spring was intact when it hit and seriously injured him. The important feature of all spring applications described so far is that the springs must be reliable, and assembled so they cannot become airborne. This theme can be continued into the children’s playground — the author’s granddaughter, Sky, loves bouncing up and down on the spring-mounted camel in our local park. This spring may have been designed correctly; unfortunately, at IST I have seen some of these springs after they have failed in use, so I am selective in the equipment that I allow Sky to use. IST suspects some failures are due to use by children larger than those for which the equipment was designed, but the springs should be designed to be reliable even in the face of this type of abuse. Talking of children, do baby bouncer springs, or the reclining seats used before babies can walk, count as part of the leisure industry? Whether or not they do, they also must be reliable, and this is the moral of this cautionary tale. Designers and suppliers of equipment for the leisure industry have an obligation to ensure safety. IST strongly advocates rigorous testing to provide proof that the product is “fit for purpose.” This testing may be load testing to ensure the correct load/deflection characteristics, or, more importantly, fatigue testing. Visitors to IST’s laboratory seldom realize that the springs they see being tested are parts of underwires, but that may be because most of our visitors are men. All of the springs mentioned in this article, apart from the bow and pole, have been tested by IST, using equipment designed specifically for this purpose. Such testing is strongly recommended since it supplies a reassurance to the supply chain that the design of the product is rigorous. Having completed this article I need a little leisure time. Maybe the springs in my sofa or bed will provide the comfort and relaxation that I need, so long as the springs have not relaxed, of course! u

SPRINGS Winter 2012 21

22 SPRINGS Winter 2012

©iStockphoto.com/Tobias Helbig, ©iStockphoto.com/Shaun Lowe

Celebrating Springs in Leisure

Products

By Gary McCoy

hose who live for the weekend often find their enjoyment thanks to a spring in their favorite toy, recreational or leisure product —be it a jet ski skimming across a lake, a snowmobile gliding across frozen tundra or giggling kids in the backyard bouncing on a trampoline. It is not a stretch to say that a spring played a role in making someone’s leisure time a little bit more enjoyable. Market Publishers compiles the report, “Global Leisure Products.” Global leisure products as defined by the company as the market that consists of the total revenues generated through the sale of games software, toys and games, and sporting equipment. According to the report issued in May 2011, the global leisure products market had total revenues of $184.6 billion in 2010, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3 percent for the period spanning 2006-2010. The report cites the toys and games segment as the market’s most lucrative in 2010, with total revenues of $77.2 billion, equivalent to 41.8 percent of the market’s overall value. The performance of the market is forecast to accelerate, with an anticipated CAGR of 5 percent for the five-year period 20102015, which is expected to drive the market to a value of $235.5 billion by the end of 2015. (For more information, visit www. marketpublishers.com.) This issue of Springs takes a moment to pause and celebrate the many different springs used in leisure products. SMI members submitted some of the products they’ve made for the leisure and recreational industries. While other springmakers did not submit their products, we know of many different products made by SMI members for toys, sporting goods, and motorsports, to name just a few. So take a load off your feet, find your favorite easy chair (with a spring inside) and enjoy springs in leisure products!

According to the (Market Publishers) report issued in May 2011, the global leisure products market had total revenues of $184.6 billion in 2010, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3 percent for the period spanning 2006-2010... The performance of the market is forecast to accelerate, with an anticipated CAGR of 5 percent for the five-year period 2010-2015.

SPRINGS Winter 2012 23

Titanium Springs Help Snowmobilers Renton Coil Spring produces titanium springs for snowmobile suspension, clutch systems and other high performance motorsports applications. The company says they originally developed titanium springs for the aerospace and commercial industries, then diversified into the high performance motorsports market. “Utilizing titanium’s low modules, low density and high strength, our springs are able to reduce vehicle weight, increase durability, improve suspension performance, and provide consistency in clutching applications,” explained Kyle Cabaya, marketing and motorsports project manager for Renton Coil Spring. The company, based in Renton, Wash., has been an OEM supplier for Arctic cat snowmobiles since 2003 and continues to supply high performance springs to the elite teams in motorsports.

Pool Spring Assembly Nothing beats jumping into the pool on a summer day to seek relief from the heat. When pool owners are done using the pool for the day, they could be utilizing a pool spring assembly produced by Ace Wire Spring and Form Co., Inc. of McKees Rocks, Pa. “Our pool spring assembly, consisting of a compression spring and two drawbars, holds the cover on your pool and/or spa during periods of non-use,” said Linda Froehlich, owner of Ace Wire Spring and Form. “It helps protect from leaves, rain, and other items due to seasonal changes and the weather.” The pool spring assembly is one of many custom spring assemblies created at Ace Wire Spring and Form. Special Application Trampoline Springs When consumers think of springs, one product that automatically comes to mind is the backyard trampoline. Though the trampoline springs produced by Liberty Spring Inc. in Canada are anything but

Toys with Springs (How Do They Work?) “Lots of toys have springs. Springs can make toys move. Some toys have springs inside them. Other toys have springs on the outside.” So begins a book by Wendy Sadler titled “Toys with Springs (How Do They Work?)” published by HeinemannRaintree in Great Britain in 2005. The book attempts to answer several questions: • What are springs made of? • How does a spring work? • What happens if you pull a spring too far? The publisher touts this as the book to read to find out how springs make toys work. The toys featured in the book, include a bicycle seat, a pinball game, a puppet in a box, and a robot.

24 SPRINGS Winter 2012

As the author points out in the section about having fun with springs: “Springs can be lots of fun to play with. They can jump in the air, bounce up and down, and even walk down stairs!” The 32-page book has an instructive glossary that explains various terms related to springs. The book is part of a series called “How Do They Work?” Other titles look at construction toys, playgrounds, puppets, scooters and skateboards, and toys with cars. In marketing the series, it says: “Satisfy children’s curiosity about how their favorite toys work. Each title covers scientific principles and mechanisms that make toys work.”

Availability of the book is limited. Check Amazon.com for copies or visit www. raintreepublishers.co.uk.

Toy Pogo Stick The assignment for Perfection Spring and Stamping Corporation in Mount Prospect, Ill. was to manufacture a compression spring used in a toy pogo stick. According to Joshua Kahn, executive vice president for Perfection Spring and Stamping, an 18-inch compression spring, utilizing .300” diameter spring wire, was designed for a multi-cycle extended life application. “This part was shipped to a toy manufacturer in Chicago that brought the assembly back to the U.S.,” explained Kahn. “The part was previously made in China and yielded poor quality.” The pogo stick was sold to the end customer, ToysR-Us.

Basketball Breakaway Rims Gets Tested by Shaq “It was in the early ‘90s that we received a call from a man in Kentucky who was working on improving the design of the Breakaway Basketball Rims,” related Frank E. Fazio of Diamond Wire Spring Company in Pittsburgh, Pa. “These spring-loaded rims give flex action allowing it to bend but not break.” Fazio explained that after many samples and trials the rims were ready for field testing. The person selected to test them was NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, who at the time was a college basketball player at LSU. The rest is history. These “spring loaded” rims are now the standard for high school, college and professional basketball teams. Motorcycle Suspension Spring How many motorcycles lumber down the highway, the dream acquisitions of men and women in the throes of midlife crisis? One of those motorcycle suspension springs could have been made by Peterson Spring in Greenville, Ill.

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ordinary, they are being used in special applications such as “Cirque du Soleil” and for Olympic trampolines. “A customer asked for a special application,” said Liberty Spring president Richard Guimont. “The challenge was to reach some specs such as an initial tension of 19.950 pounds. The maximum obtainable initial tension, based on a regular design, was 10.8826 pounds.”

Denzil Randant, general manager of the Illinois facility, said the compression spring for this motorcycle application was approximately 6” long, 2.5 O.D. and made from .441” wire. “We won the bid with a suspension manufacturing company,” said Randant.

Plastic Worm Holder Those who fish are passionate about their sport and Leeco Spring International in Houston, Texas got the chance to help anglers everywhere. They produced a fishing lure hook attachment to hold a plastic worm in place. “Originally invented by a fisherman, this simple concept was difficult to design,” explained Ed Eckert, CEO and engineer at Leeco Spring. “This spring is intended to be used in addition to the fishing hook.” Eckert said the attachment allows for greater range in movement of the worm. The original inventor which brought the design to Leeco Spring sold his idea to a major corporation.

Where Excitement Meets Technology Gene Huber Jr., vice president of sales and engineering for Winamac Coil Spring, Inc., said the company produces suspension springs in the off-road market to “enhance riding and handling characteristics of all types of vehicles.” Huber explained how the work came along. “Like most opportunities we started design work in this area by solving customer’s problems and opening new avenues to grow and learn.” Making Babies Happy The Peterson Spring plant in El Marques, Mexico produces the part for a product that is designed to make babies happy. “The Rainforest Jumperoo introduces babies to a place full of exciting sights and sounds and lots of safe jumping,” said Lucero Perez, who works in customer service for Peterson Spring plant in Mexico. The Rainforest Jumperoo is manufactured by Fisher-Price and “designed for use by a child who is able to hold his or her head up unassisted, and who is not yet able to climb out or walk,” said Perez. u

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SPRINGS Winter 2012 27

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Flashback

Women in the Spring Making Industry By Thelma J. Peterson President, Precision Spring Corporation Detroit, Michigan

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(Editor’s note: This article was originally published in the May 1972 issue of Springs.)

ob opportunities for women in the spring industry are increasing both in number and in diversity. This is true not only in the shop and the office, but in supervision and even in top management as well. There are at least a dozen women today who hold executive positions and make vital decisions. Following is a list of women in the industry. There may be more: Miss Jo Berger Lewis Spring & Mfg. Co. Chicago, Ill.

Mrs. H. M. Hemphill Hemphill Spring Co. Los Angeles, Cal.

Miss Sheila N. Dorion General Spring Co. Ltd. Pointe Claire, Quebec, Canada

Mrs. Ben Hittleman Bristol Spring Mfg. Co. Plainville, Conn.

Mrs. Jane G. Fazio Diamond Wire Spring Co. Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mrs. Bernice Hyde Hyde Spring & Wire Co. Detroit, Mich.

Mrs. John B. Garrett, Jr. John Evans’ Sons, Inc. Philadelphia, Pa.

Mrs. Alice O’Leary Wesco Spring Co. Chicago, Ill.

Mrs. Nancy Garst Rockford Spring Co. Rockford, Ill.

Miss A. Palin General Spring Co. Ltd. Pointe Claire, Quebec, Canada

Mrs. Rose Glendenning Wesco Spring Co. Chicago, Ill.

Mrs. George Zitzman Mercer Spring Co. Long Island City, N. Y.

We questioned some of them. Unlike most of their male counterparts, each of the women executives we questioned entered the spring industry quite by accident. Either they had married the boss, inherited the business, or rose from secretarial or accounting positions. Here are some case histories. Mrs. Jane G. Fazio, president of Diamond Wire Spring Co., Pittsburgh, started in the business in 1942 as secretary to her husband. When he died, she had to make a decision. Mrs. Fazio writes: “In 1959, upon the death of my husband, I decided to keep the business, as we had just moved into a new building two years previously, and somehow I could not give it up easily. Since we had a family of five boys, and two girls, ages 15 years to 11 months, I was needed at home. My first task was to find a general manager...I retained my husband’s title as president, and of course, since the children are now older I try to take a more active part in all phases of the business ... My oldest son is now manager of our new installation in South Carolina, and another son will enter the company when he is released from Army service.” Sheila Dorion, vice-president of General Spring Company Ltd., of Pointe Claire, Quebec, Canada, started as a secretary, became an accountant, a manager, secretary-treasurer, and finally an executive of her company. Here is how she describes her career: “I was railroaded. I never would have chosen accounting. It was hard at first, because I wasn’t educated in this area. But I found to my surprise that I liked accounting after all.” With the help of the firm’s auditors and courses at McGill University and the Montreal Board of Trade, Miss Dorion soon mastered her job. One day in 1967, when the question of the vice-presidency came up at a routine board meeting, she suddenly found herself unanimously voted into that office. Miss Dorion’s work has also been recognized outside her firm in the spring industry at large. She is immediate past president of the Spring Manufacturers Association of Canada, as well as being one of the Canadian directors of the Spring Manufacturers Institute Inc. of the United States. Mrs. Pauline Zitzman, vice-president of Mercer Spring Co., Inc., Long Island City, N. Y., became involved in the industry when she and her husband purchased a spring company. She writes: “I started working for Mercer Spring 10 years ago as a summer replacement for a vacationing bookkeeper. After working about a month I found the job much more interesting than I had figured on so I decided to make it a permanent job. My experience and training is all practical. I’ve helped out in just about every way that I could in the manufacture of springs. I’ve tended machines checking length and O.D. of springs, I’ve

worked a grinder, helped the shipping clerk, helped in the finishing department, and swept the floors. “I do the purchasing of supplies, run the office, act as buffer between the office and the factory, and try to keep things running as smoothly as possible.” Mrs. Elizabeth Magnuson, treasurer of Rockford Spring Co., Rockford, Ill., also started as a part timer and gradually became completely involved: “Rockford Spring Company was organized in 1952. In 1954 I was asked by an accountant friend with the company to work part-time as a secretary. (I had been a legal secretary before retiring to have children.) “Because this was a small, new company, there were always odds and ends of things to do so I gradually became interested in other phases of the business. From assisting the accountant I became concerned with records, costs, financial statements, etc. Later, from helping the then general manager with raw material inventory control I became involved with purchasing. That was my main function for several years. In 1968 I became treasurer.” Jo Berger, secretary-treasurer, Lewis Spring & Mfg. Co., Chicago, Ill., entered the industry via accounting. She writes: “A very rewarding career started through a friend who was employed in the spring industry. It began

SPRINGS Winter 2012 29

The only direct reference to the fact of my being a woman came offhandedly from my father: He advised me to sign all my letters with the initials “T.J.” to disguise the fact that the writer was not a man. For a long time, until I became better known outside the company, I had to accustom myself to that long pause in telephone calls when it suddenly dawned on the caller that the “T.J.” stood for “Thelma J.”

in 1940. I began working in the industry as a cost accountant, then transferred into the purchasing department due to the entire department being drafted. I found purchasing steel quite a challenge: contacting steel mills for deliveries, learning all the facets of purchasing different types of steel, as well as the various raw materials composition, stresses and usages. “In 1945 when Mr. Lewis started the Lewis Spring & Mfg. Co., I joined him as his assistant. At the present time I hold the position of secretary-treasurer and co-manager of the Lewis Spring Co.” Finally, let me add my own experience as a woman and as president of the Precision Spring Corp. I entered the spring industry on Feb. 15, 1937. On Friday I graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in mechanical engineering, and on Monday I went to work for the family firm. In retrospect, I have always regretted not “negotiating” at least a two-weeks vacation before launching my career in the spring industry. Perhaps it was my formal education and engineering training, but I was immediately conscious of the need for more order and system in our business. The admirable founders of our company were highly innovative and intensely combative, but they had little patience with office details. It was in this area that I decided I could make my own distinctive contribution. The result was eventually an efficient system of material control records (wire in stock, orders on hand, scheduling, etc.) By the time World War II descended upon us with its flood of regulations and detailed forms, we were prepared to cope with it. My father never completely believed in the new methods. “Nope, you just use a crystal ball” he would insist. In my case, at least, being a woman did not create any special difficulties. Probably, everybody in the place was used to me as part of the picture since I practically grew up in the business. The only direct reference to the fact of my being a woman came offhandedly from my father: He advised me to sign all my letters with the initials “T.J.” to disguise the fact that the writer was not a man. For a long time, until I became better known outside the company, I had to accustom myself to that long pause in telephone calls when it suddenly dawned on the caller that the “T.J.” stood for “Thelma J.” I believe there is a rewarding future for women in management positions in the spring industry. It will never be easy, of course, but the many traditional barriers are

30 SPRINGS Winter 2012

coming down. It is now possible for women to acquire broader backgrounds of experience on all levels. Since the old classifications of jobs into “women’s jobs” and “men’s jobs” are disappearing, women are to be found in almost every kind of work in the spring industry. This includes such “dirty” jobs as operating paint spinners, spring grinding, and the so-called “heavy” jobs heretofore denied them by restrictive state regulations. With their eye for detail, women are particularly equipped to work in quality control, they can do well in the shipping department, and they function efficiently in the lab. More and more women are also advancing to supervision. With more complete access to all levels of shop work, women can now prepare themselves for positions of authority by working their way through the factory as well as the office. u

More than 130 Women Gather for First Women in Manufacturing Symposium

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he Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) hosted the first annual Women in Manufacturing Symposium in Cleveland on October 25-26, 2011. Designed exclusively for women who have chosen a career in manufacturing, the event attracted more than 130 women leaders from around the country who gathered to discuss best practices in manufacturing, communication strategies and leadership. The program featured dynamic keynote speakers and panel discussions with representatives from high-profile manufacturers such as Boeing, Ford Motor Co., General Motors, GE Appliances and American Greetings. SMI member Linda Froehlich, owner, Ace Wire Spring and Form Co., Inc. of McKees Rocks, Pa., participated in the Symposium. Being a new event, Froehlich said she didn’t know what to expect. “I was very impressed with the panel discussions and the ideas discussed. During the course of the two days I was there, I got to meet some of the panelists and we bonded, sharing many of the same issues.” Froehlich said she particularly enjoyed seeing other women who are involved in metalforming manufacturing. “We had the chance to talk about the same problems we all have,” she explained. Froehlich cited common issues, such as: training, finding people with a good work ethic, difficulties in recruiting young people to the business and the challenge of replacing an aging workforce. The event provided Froehlich with the opportunity to get reacquainted with Mary Fitzgerald, president of

Acme Wire Products in Mystic, Conn. The two had met previously at trade shows and other events. Froehlich and Fitzgerald were part of a video prepared by Karen Lindner, KARICO Performance Solutions that captured attendee feedback. The video, “Women in Manufacturing?,” is available on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=pKg6nAqLy2Y). “One of the benefits I see that women bring to manufacturing is that we have a different way of looking at things than men,” explained Fitzgerald in the video. “There’s a creative side we can bring to problem solving.” Also in the video segment, Rebecca Gruenspan, director of marketing and community affairs at United Scrap Metal, Chicago, Ill. said it is important for women to promote manufacturing in the U.S. “Manufacturing is huge business and women have a large influence over buying power in the U.S. So the more we can influence manufacturing to stay in the U.S., the more jobs we can create,” stated Gruenspan. “Many of us were excited that this event took place and we are looking forward to doing this again next year,” said Froehlich. A 2012 event is planned by PMA, with dates and a location to be released later this year. Froehlich said returning to this year’s event will be nice, “because I know people now and what to expect from the program.” She encourages other women from SMI member companies to join her for the 2012 Women in Manufacturing Symposium. u

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SPRING WORLD® 2012

Donald E Stephens Convention Center Rosemont, IL October 3-5, 2012 CASMI is proud to cheer for all of the Champions of the Spring Manufacturing Industry Manufacturers and Suppliers.

2012

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Be proud that you are part of an industry that provides vital parts for all sectors of manufactured products. Truth.

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32 SPRINGS Winter 2012

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Are You Learning? By John A. Passante

President and CEO of Brenton Productions

he highway called life is filled with the pursuit of joy, happiness and fulfillment. It is important to contemplate what roads we should navigate on this heady journey. The question is, how do we get to the desired destination? I submit to you that one of the compasses we should utilize is the power of learning! Perhaps the first safety check we need to make is our own attitude concerning learning. Without it, we can become so engaged in the day-to-day battle of survival (given today’s pressure-cooker business environment) that we do not take the time to learn. As adults we have accumulated a foundation of life experiences: joys, sorrows, wins, losses, and knowledge. Hopefully as we age, all these result in the much sought after goal of “wisdom.” We can be so results-driven and consumed with achieving the goal that we miss the opportunity to learn from the experience. To quote John F.

Kennedy, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” Leadership and learning are members of the same family. Managers can cause movement. Like a steady breeze that fills a sail causes movement toward a destination, the same is true for focused leadership (teaching others). Effective leaders should see themselves as both learners and teachers. Adults need to see a reason to learn and it has to be applicable to their work or responsibilities, in order to have faith. Given the ever -changing landscape of today’s business world, there certainly is a reason to change and grow. John Buchan said, “The task of leadership is not to put greatness into people, but to elicit the greatness that is there already.” One of the keys to being a life-long learner is to look for opportunities to learn. Seek out the road signs.

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©iStockphoto.com/Gary Radler

The games children play are an element of their imagination, which leaders tend to overlook because of their obsessive focus on movement, the road ahead, and the rear-view mirror. Adults respond to an issue with “Why?” while children ask the important question, “Why not?” There is a difference between movement and motivation.

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©iStockphoto.com/Gary Radler

Child’s Play You can start in your own home. I marvel how children learn. They are inquisitive. Adults tend to lose this quest for learning over the years. Unlike children, adults seek to work in comfortable and predictable boundaries. A sudden change that used to delight us when we were kids puts our guard up now. Children have no fear of learning, while many adults do. Children look to play in the rain and the mud. They splash and find new games to play. In the business world, it is the leader’s role to reduce the fear of getting all wet and to make employees work with unmitigated enthusiasm – and to enjoy the thundering rain in the world of business. What is the fear factor in your organization? We have all been told that leadership is not child’s play. During our careers, we lear n leadership lessons from teachers, parents, mentors, friends, and influential business leaders. So why not the children? Without a doubt children are quite honest. Kids tell it like it is, how they feel, and how they want things. Of course, some of their communication can be quite embarrassing and brutal for their parents; there is no doubt that their communication is genuine. What can leaders learn from children? Do we tell it like we witness or feel it, or do we sugarcoat or window-dress our

©iStockphoto.com/RTimages

communications? The fact is that most people can indeed handle the truth. The truth shall set you free. The games children play are an element of their imagination, which leaders tend to overlook because of their obsessive focus on movement, the road ahead, and the rear-view mirror. Adults respond to an issue with “Why?” while children ask the important question, “Why not?” There is a difference between movement and motivation. How sweet it is to see children take calculated risks. Oblivious of their level of competence or incompetence, whichever way, they take chances. Caught in the rain, they soak in the cool wetness and take the chance of catching a chill. Another chance to learn. When we list the traits of children, what words come to mind? • Open • Trusting • Loyal • Intuitive • Responsible • Dedicated • Competitive • Collaborative • Excited • Adventurous • Challenging • Moral fulfillment • Fun-loving • Accepting of others • Value differences in others • Creative • Determined • Dreamers

• • • •

Inventors Fearless Hopeful Affectionate

It makes sense to hold leadership accountable for this profile. Perhaps this will challenge some hardened leaders. When is the last time you laughed or sang at work?

A Learning Organization Developing a cultur e that values creativity, and encourages innovation is imperative to an organization that desires to “learn” and generate new ideas or products. Learning involves: • Providing employees with a challenge. • Providing freedom to innovate. • Providing the resources needed to innovate.

AWire_Springs_Spring Issue.qxd

• Encouraging diversity of perspectives and backgrounds. • Providing encouragement. • Providing the organization with care and support. • Having fun. (Can you believe it?) As we stay on the path of life, we follow our natural instinct to learn and to grow. A learning organization is the breeding ground for fresh views of ourselves and of others. I believe when we stop learning, psychologically we start to die. So learn each day and teach each day. “I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma,” said Eartha Kitt. Only the soul that lear ns experiences joy. When you drive home after a 10- or 12-hour day, ask yourself the question, “What did I learn today?” u

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John Passante is the president and CEO of Brenton Productions, a company that has produced automotive how-to television since 1992. Brenton provides automotive enthusiasts, as well as trade professionals, with performance, accessory and how-to information on their two weekly television series; Two Guys Garage and Truck U. He’s also president and CEO of The Organizational Development Group Inc. He is an executive coach, recruiter and frequent speaker. He has a keen interest in leadership and brings over 30 years of experience to bear upon the subject. He has worked in many areas, including manufacturing, distribution, sales and marketing, human resources and administration, and for notable companies such as Delphi and CARQUEST. You can reach Passante at (401) 252-9430, or e-mail: passante@ brentontv.com.

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SMI Fall Meeting Provides Business Information Oasis Held just outside of Las Vegas at the Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, Nev., the SMI Fall Meeting saw a strong turnout of industry professionals for networking and educational sessions. The meeting, September 24–27, 2011, was a chance for the SMI Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Committees to meet and included an opening cocktail reception, 10 general session presentations and a table top exhibit and cocktail reception. The educational portion of the event took place on Monday, September 26 and Tuesday, September 27 and provided a business information oasis on technical topics, family business planning, social media and an update on the steel market. Here are the highlights from these informative sessions.

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A Slowly Improving Economy Bill Strauss of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago declared that even though the “Great Recession” ended in June 2009, the economy expanded by just 1.5 percent over the past year. He said the recession caused a deep drop in the economy and the recovery period has taken longer than normal. Strauss is fairly optimistic and said springmakers should look forward to an improving economy, albeit it slowly gaining ground. “The outlook is for the U.S. economy to expand at a trend pace in the second half of this year and next year,” explained Strauss. “Employment is expected to rise moderately this year and next year, with the unemployment rate edging lower through 2012.” Strauss believes slackness in the economy will lead to a relatively low inflation rate over the next 18 months. In what is good news for springmakers, Strauss concluded his remarks by predicting that growth in manufacturing output will be solid in 2011 and 2012.

Customer Visits Shouldn’t Be Scary Joe Burchill of Link Engineering provided practical advice for springmakers who are getting ready to have a meeting with a customer to review spring data. He said typically there is a dispute between the customer’s data and the springmaker’s data. Burchill said that though this meeting is one most feared by springmakers, he said it doesn’t have to be that way. He said with proper preparation and the help of your test manufacturer the meeting can be successful. “Customer visits shouldn’t be scary,” said Burchill. “But if there is an issue, the customer is coming to talk with you to resolve it. If they weren’t going to do that, they would just plain cancel the order. What you want to show them is that you are testing and doing it to standard.” Burchill demonstrated the critical importance of accurate spring testing to the success of a spring company and provided several helpful checklists to facilitate the process. Spring Coiling and Wire Forming Innovations In a presentation with lots of photos and videos, Dr. Uwe-Peter Weigmann, Wafios, presented four innovations for more efficient spring coiling and two innovations for more efficient wire forming. In introducing Dr. Weigmann, SMI president Scott Rankin warned those in attendance that the technology Dr. Weigmann was about to present would “make your brain hurt.” SPRINGS Winter 2012 37

The presentation centered on Wafios’ IQ (innovation and quality) system. For spring coiling, Dr. Weigmann demonstrated Wafios’ IQcontrol and the benefits of the technology in the reduction of spring length variation. In fact, as Dr. Weigmann demonstrated, IQcontrol can either do a onetime or repeated measurement of a spring during the coiling process. The technology utilizes two high-resolution/highspeed cameras that monitor the coiling process and send correction values to the machine control. The machine control converts the correction values of the camera in real time, during the coiling process. He moved on to the company’s IQautopitch which provides automatic transition coil adjustment. Next he demonstrated IQbestspeed that helps the machine operator find the best speed for production. Finally, he provided information on IQspring which included the simulation of torsion spring production and how the optimization of cycle time can be achieved. Dr. Weigmann moved on to talk about two innovations in wire forming, showing how IQbend can automatically speed up the bending process and IQaccurate bend that measures the bending angle and provides online correction.

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Mistakes That Can Kill Your Business In a sobering session, Joe Murray of First Financial Group reviewed six mistakes that can most commonly prove disastrous for family businesses. He provided attendees with a risk barometer to help assess the health of their business. Murray said the most common mistakes that family business owners make are contained in these statements: “I know what my business is worth.” “I’m too busy running the company.” “That’ll never happen to me.” “There’s plenty of time for that.” “My business is my retirement.” “You can’t beat Uncle Sam.” Murray said every family business needs to have a succession plan in place so there is a way to transition the business to the next generation. At the end of his presentation, Murray jokingly said, “this is a lousy topic, but very important.” Spring Grinding Technologies Bill Shockey, BT Machinery Sales/NIMSCO provided a helpful survey of the various spring grinding options available to springmakers. “Some of them go back decades, while others are relatively new,” explained Shockey.

He pointed out that spring grinding is a very important process for most springmakers. In addition to reviewing the machinery available, Shockey talked about the theoretical and practical sides of setting up both downfeed and crash/crush type spring grinders.

Update on the Steel Market In a joint presentation, Bill Hickey, Lapham-Hickey Steel and Tim Dillon, American Spring Wire provided an update on the steel market. Hickey pointed out that the domestic steel industry is currently operating at about 75 percent. “Those are operating numbers that are going to make it difficult for the domestic steel industry to be profitable.” He said in a capital intense, highly fixed cost environment, not operating at full capacity makes it difficult to make money. Hickey said in regards to steel usage that anything related to gas and energy production is very good, while anything related to construction is very soft. He said a strong scrap market is due to exports. “We are going to export about 25 million tons of scrap in the United States in 2011. We exported about 22 million tons last year,” said Hickey. “Because the rest of the world has built steel capacity over the last 10

SPRINGS Winter 2012 39

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or 20 years, it doesn’t have the infrastructure of old scrap. They don’t have any old cars.” Regarding the future, Hickey said, “My crystal ball on steel prices is: follow the price of scrap.” Dillon focused his comments on the wire rod business. He said U.S. wire rod production has fallen from a high of nearly six million tons 10 years ago to roughly half that number today of less than 3 million tons. Overall, Dillon said the import of wire rod has dropped and the consumption of wire rod in the U.S. has declined, as well. Dillon said this year has been better than 2010 for the wire rod market, and he expects that forecasts predicting a better market in 2012 will come through. He said the farm and heavy equipment industries continue to remain strong.

Oven Thermocouples and Temperature Controllers If you knew nothing about temperature controllers and thermocouples you couldn’t help leaving the presentation by Daniel F. Pierre III of JN Machinery without being armed with new knowledge. Pierre said that whether you are using a batch or continuous oven, “having accurate temperature measurement and the ability to maintain a constant temperature is a key to successful and quality heat treatment.” What is an oven’s temperature? Pierre explained that it is not the same temperature your parts will see. In addition, he said it is not the same temperature throughout the entire chamber. “The temperature indicated on the controller’s display is the temperature only that your thermocouple is experiencing.” He went to explain the parts of a temperature control system and how general heat is distributed inside a chamber and how you can tell can what temperature your parts will achieve. Pierre educated attendees on the vital role that thermocouples can play in helping you achieve the correct temperature in your oven and the various types of thermocouples that are in use. He said it is “highly recommended to change thermocouples every year or perhaps every two years in light wire/lightly oiled wire applications.” Pierre provided useful information on temperature controllers noting that their two basic functions are to set the temperature you want and to set the alarm range. Concluding his presentation, Pierre said calibrating a temperature controller is not usually what needs to be done to restore the accuracy of your oven. He said that 99.5 percent of the time, “accuracy” can be restored

“Our fall meeting saw a number of new people attend,” said SMI president, Scott Rankin, who presided over the meeting. “We had a lot of great feedback on the quality of the presentations, the table top show and the time available to network with people. We will take the feedback from the 2011 meeting and use it as we plan for the 2013 event.”

by looking at and attending to the needs of the other components in the system.

Social Media and Springs Highlighting the research he did for the Summer 2011 issue of Springs, Gary McCoy of SMI and Fairway Communications said that a majority of SMI members are using social media but more than two-thirds do not think it can help their business. McCoy said whether springmakers should use social media is a decision each company should make. He said it often comes down to knowing your customers and answering the question: “What do your customers want and how do they communicate?” He said if your customers are not communicating through social media then don’t use it. “Using social media just because it’s a fad or because someone told you should be part of it, is not a good reason. Make sure you have a business reason to use it.” McCoy cited a quote from social media expert Paul Gillin as instructive advice: “You don’t need a social media strategy, you need a business strategy. You need to understand social media and how to apply it to your business strategy.” McCoy explained the differences between businessto-business (B-to-B) social media and social media aimed at consumers. He cited several keys to consider when engaging in social media. “Remember to listen and don’t try to sell.” McCoy explained that social media is great way to detect shifts in customer attitudes and potential changes in the market before your competitors do. He also emphasized the importance of asking and answering questions for customers and being perceived as a helpful resource. “Be honest and direct, and remember to converse and engage with people,” said McCoy. “This is not a one-way conversation.” In conclusion, he cited the most useful social media tools as blogs, LinkedIn and YouTube. “However you use social media, focus on providing customers with good content.”

Products Liability and Insuring Protection Thomas Orlando and Douglas Palandech of Foran Glennon Palandech Ponzi & Rudloff PC are Chicago-based attorneys who gave a primer on losses that give rise to claims against manufacturers. They covered the major areas of personal injury, property damage, and economic loss and the remedies available to those who bring litigation. They presented the boundaries of legal remedies and insurance coverage, pointing out that the two are not the same. They explained some of the actions you should take if you have a conflict with your insurer over what they will or will not be covered. Next Time Around “Our fall meeting saw a number of new people attend,” said SMI president, Scott Rankin, who presided over the meeting. “We had a lot of great feedback on the quality of the presentations, the table top show and the time available to network with people. We will take the feedback from the 2011 meeting and use it as we plan for the 2013 event.” The next SMI Fall Meeting is scheduled for September 2013 in Las Vegas. u

SPRINGS Winter 2012 41

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The Three Circles of a Family Business

(Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt from the new book, “Succession Planning for Family Businesses - Preparing for the Next Generation” by Michael, A. Lobraico, Jonathan Isaacs, and Mitchell Singer. It is published by BPS Books and is used by permission. Lobraico has written several articles for Springs on the topic of family businesses. For more information on the book, visit www. familybcc.com. It is also available through Amazon.com.)

By Michael, A. Lobraico, Jonathan Isaacs, and Mitchell Singer

here are two factors that are essential to the success of a family business. First, everyone involved needs to be open and clear — as family, owners, and business leaders — in all of their conversations and dealings. Second, a succession plan, which we describe as a corporate will, must be developed and maintained. These two factors are intimately connected because a succession plan, when properly set up and maintained, is in fact the mechanism that actually creates openness in a family business. When, through a succession plan, the goals, structures, and processes of ownership and the business are out in plain sight for all to see, there are fewer misconceived assumptions and expectations in the family and in the business. This means there are fewer disappointments and fewer recriminations. (Unfortunately, these negative experiences are occupational hazards of a family business. But it doesn’t have to be that way.) The Family Business Counsel of Canada helps family businesses develop this kind of openness by creating a plan that takes into account all of the realities of the family, ownership, and the business. Seeing the process for yourself will help you understand your own situation better. It will help you to begin, or revise, your succession plan.

SPRINGS Winter 2012 43

We’d like to give you a bird’s-eye view of how you can begin to sort out the complexity of a family business. You may be anticipating what this sorting principle is. In our description of the five phases of family planning (introduction, assessment, alignment, implementation, and maintenance), we repeatedly mention the three circles of a family business: • The family • The ownership • The business

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Three Circles of a Family Business Ownership

Family

Business

methods for communicating not only within each circle but also between circles. In many cases, not seeing this tripartite reality of a family business is what keeps family businesses from even getting started on a succession plan. Their situation just seems too complex to them. And dangerous, too. For example: • Family members may be anxious about whether they’ll get their financial piece of the pie should the business be sold. Or worse, they may assume that they’re in line for a windfall, unaware that the company is highly leveraged because it is in the midst of a five-year plan for growth. • Meanwhile, the owners of the company may fear the family pressures they’ll face if senior management of the business tells a member of the family he or she is not ready for a senior management role in the company. • And rank-and-file workers in the business may fear being passed over for a promotion because they’re not part of the family. Can you see the potential for miscommunication, misunderstanding, anxiety, and anger when structures and processes are not in place to deal with issues like these?

It’s a Matter of Survival The reason family businesses so often spiral out of control is that both the family and the business are committed to their own survival, yet their survival goals and methods are so different. • A family is deeply committed to its own survival. “Blood is thicker than water” is one way to put it. Even in the strongest and most loving of families, family members are not able to be objective about their relationships. Why do you think it’s an ethical and professional rule that doctors should not operate on members of their family and lawyers should not represent family members? Because a family’s instinct to survive is so strong, individual family members find it difficult to make rational judgments

A Common Misconnection It is often thought that family members who are not acting or working in the business are not involved in or affected by three-circle issues. This is a mistake. Where there are non-active children, one must attempt to insure that all parties perceive that they are being dealt with in a fair, though not necessarily equal, manner. Dealing effectively with the issues of succession requires

the business owner to view the process as a financial decision and not just a personal one. A very special set of interactions will most likely take place between family, employees, and ownership groups (if applicable). Many of these groups overlap. For example, an inactive shareholder who wants a regular payment of dividends

when someone they are related to is threatened, whether emotionally, physically, or financially. • A business, meanwhile, is also committed to survival. To survive, it must make a profit. It borrows money for the capital it needs to develop a product or service that it can sell at a price that is greater than costs and taxes. Otherwise, it can’t pay back its loan, meet its payroll, pay dividends to investors, and live to fight another day. An essential principle rises from this reality: The key to succession planning is to set up structures and processes that keep these two types of survival from leveraging each other for survival. Here’s an example of how a right intention in one circle can go wrong with respect to the other circles. Consider a family connected to the business that follows it survival instinct by getting the children a job in the family business. If these children lack the training or ability to do the job well, the family has hampered the business. The family’s urge to help the next generation to survive is now threatening the business’s ability to survive. The children or next generation are now a burden on the business because they are drawing a salary but doing little to increase profits. (And what about the children themselves? Their dreams for their future may not include working in the business. Bowing to family pressure doesn’t help them, either.) Similarly, if the business, when it is in dire straits financially, reaches out to ownership to bail it out with a loan or gift of money, it fails to make tough decisions and run itself on sound business principles. Instead of learning from its difficulties and developing checks and balances to get it through similar rough times in the future, it has introduced into its very culture the un-businesslike notion that the family will always be there to prop the business up. Here’s another essential principle: A good succession plan ensures that structures and processes are put in place and respected so that both the family and the business survive, without threatening each other’s survival or the financial position of the owners.

may have different goals and expectations concerning business decisions than active shareholders do. The latter may prefer investing profits back into the business. A careful analysis is needed to show the conflicts that are inherent in this situation. Only by planning and communication will these issues be resolved — and acrimony avoided.

For example, a rule can be made that a family member will be considered for a job in the business only if he or she merits it based on company policies concerning entry into the company, including meeting certain educational and experience requirements. Rules can also make it clear to the business circle of a family business that the family is not a cash machine for the business to access when its planning or work is substandard or when it hits an economic trough. Stated more positively, a good succession plan puts processes into place that enable the family, ownership, and the business to support each other in their desire to survive and thrive as family, owners, and business leaders and staff. u

SPRINGS Winter 2012 45

46 SPRINGS Winter 2012

Bud Funk Honored with Humanitarian Service Award

rthur “Bud” Funk Jr., president of Fourslide Spring and Stamping in Bristol, Ct., was named the recipient of the 2011 Humanitarian Service Award by the Boys & Girls Club of Bristol (Conn.). Funk received the award at the organization’s 27th annual Humanitarian Dinner on October 13, 2011. The Humanitarian Service Award recognizes individuals for their dedication, sacrifice and accomplishments in humanitarian service to the community. The organization reported that the definition of humanitarian service is purposely broad and includes those “helping youth, senior citizens, or the disadvantaged; people working to improve the quality of education or health care; those striving to protect the environment, building jobs in the community, or promoting safety. The recipients of this award have helped to make their community a better place.” In presenting the award, the Boys & Girls Club of Bristol reported that, “It is only recently that Bristol and the surrounding communities in Connecticut have become aware of Bud Funk’s volunteer work. For years he quietly provided significant service to several local area organizations, often in a leadership role.” Funk is a long-time member of the Bristol and Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, serving as chairman from 2004 to 2006. He was the Chamber’s recipient of the E. Bartlett Barnes Distinguished Service Award in 2009 for his outstanding service to the business community. He presently serves as the co-chair of the Chamber’s manufacturing division which is

Bud Funk (right) is pictured outside the headquarters of Fourslide Spring and Stamping with SMI secretary/treasurer Russ Bryer.

complemented by his involvement with the New England Spring and Metalstamping Association (NESMA) where he is a current member of the board of directors and past president. Funk is also a past president of the Bristol Lions Club and presently serves as a director. He also serves on the board of directors of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Spring Manufacturers Institute, the Bristol Hospital Development Foundation and the Main Street Community Foundation and is a trustee of the Prospect United Methodist Church. For several years he has also been an active member of the Tunxis Community College Foundation and Advisory Board

and serves as the chair of the Donor Engagement Committee. He also serves as a member of the Economic Development Commission for the town of Burlington, Conn. Funk grew up in Bristol, attended local schools, and received a degree in mechanical engineering from Tri-State College in 1964. His employment history includes engineering assignments at General Tire and Rubber Company, and Diebold, Inc. He returned to the family business, Fourslide Spring and Stamping, in 1975. The company is celebrating 50 years in business in 2012. Funk lives in Burlington, Conn. with his wife, Lillian. u

SPRINGS Winter 2012 47

48 SPRINGS Winter 2012

Springmaker Spotlight

Miko Kabeshita, second generation president of Ark Technologies, with some of his company's products.

The Best of East and West

A Profile of Miko Kabeshita and Ark Technologies By Gary McCoy

e try to combine the best of both the American and Japanese business cultures to provide outstanding customer service,” explained Miko Kabeshita, president of Ark Technologies, who speaks fluent Japanese. “If there’s one area where I can contribute it is in understanding both cultures.” This business philosophy of blending east and west has developed over the past 30-plus years, since Kabeshita’s father, Al Kabeshita, started the company in 1980 as a joint venture (JV) with Riken Spring in Japan.

“

How It All Started Al Kabeshita was transferred to the U.S. in the early ‘60s to open a branch office for a large Japanese trading company. He initially set up an office in downtown Chicago before moving the business to the northwest suburb of Elk Grove Village, where the family settled. Miko Kabeshita was born in Tokyo and came with his father, mother, Michiko, and older sister, Yoshie, to the U.S. when he was two. A younger brother, Yutaka, was born later in the U.S. “It was a big adjustment for my parents, because at that time there were not a lot of Japanese businessmen in the U.S.,” explained Kabeshita. To keep connected with their homeland, the Kabeshita children attended a Japanese school on Saturdays.

SPRINGS Winter 2012 49

When the opportunity to partner with Riken Spring came along, Kabeshita said his father didn’t know anything about manufacturing or springs, however he handled all sales and administration functions while Riken Spring handled the manufacturing and engineering functions at first. Riken was not a large company and the initial production of springs in the U.S. focused on smaller, precision springs for the electronics industry. This included Japanese companies such as Panasonic, Sharp, and Polaroid. The company was started at a small 4,000 square foot factory in Elk Grove Village, Ill. In the mid ‘80s as Japanese car makers started to gain a presence in the U.S., Kabeshita said his father saw an opportunity to make springs for the automotive market. “But his partner in Japan had other ideas and wasn’t comfortable getting into automotive springs.” So Al Kabeshita bought out his partner in 1987 and in 1993 the company changed its name to Ark Technologies. In 1994, Ark became a certified minority-owned company, due to a growing need of U.S. companies and government agencies seeking out qualified minority-owned suppliers. “We saw growth opportunities outside of conventional springs and wanted to diversify our product line,” explained Kabeshita. He said the name change was ultimately about long term growth opportunities to

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“We are fortunate to work with leading edge U.S. and Japanese transplant automotive customers who have helped us improve our operations,” said Kabeshita. “We have learned a great deal from them, especially in best practices, and we are also very receptive to their suggestions and ideas. As a result, our customers appreciate that we are open minded and always willing to improve our company. This has created strong partnerships with our customers.” produce parts other than springs, and mirrored what other SMI members were doing to diversify. Ark now makes various metal stampings and assemblies, primarily for automakers such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Ford and General Motors. “We are fortunate to work with leading edge U.S. and Japanese transplant automotive customers who have helped us improve our operations,” said Kabeshita. “We have learned a great deal from them, especially in best practices, and we are also very receptive to their suggestions and ideas. As a result, our customers appreciate that we are open minded and always willing to improve our company. This has created strong partnerships with our customers.” With the name change Ark built a new 36,000 square foot facility and moved to its present location in St. Charles, Ill. After expanding the facility in 1997 to 75,000 square feet, the company now has approximately 140 employees. Ark also has a sister company, Altak, that is located nearby in Bloomingdale, Ill. Altak, with approximately 80 employees, specializes in manufacturing wire har ness and electrical assemblies. Altak originally started as an import/ export company that was established by Al Kabeshita in 1980, bringing in machinery from Japan and was the distributor of Asahi-Seiki CNC spring forming machines for the spring industry. Kabeshita said there came a point when they decided the conflict between serving the spring industry and making springs was too big of an issue. So they shifted the company’s entire focus to doing wire harness assembly work. Ark is currently building a new 45,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Daytona Beach, Fla. with a projected starting date of spring 2012. This facility will be under the leadership of Kabeshita’s father, AI, who now serves as chairman of the company. Kabeshita’s mother, Michiko, helped in the early years as the

A 75,000 square foot facility in St. Charles, Ill. serves as headquarters for Ark Technologies.

accountant and currently serves as the treasurer of the company on a part-time basis. Ark has steadily grown in size over the years and in 2000 the company received the “Manufacturer of the Year” award from the Asian-American Alliance and the Illinois Governor’s Office.

Genjo iji, Kaizen and Much More “There is a slogan in Japanese ‘Genjo iji’ that means complacency, or ‘don’t be satisfied with the status quo,’” explained Kabeshita. “As a result, we have always encouraged ‘Kaizen’ or continuous improvement

within our company and with all associates. Also, teamwork is a big part of our culture here and we really try to emphasize and promote this throughout the organization.” Many Ark employees have logged 15 to 20 plus years of experience with the company and some have had the chance to visit Japan to see customers and suppliers. Long term associates such as Alfonso Cepeda, plant manager, Bill Flesvig, plant supervisor and Biljana Zivkovich, human resources manager, to name a few, have all visited Japan for training.

SPRINGS Winter 2012 51

Kabeshita says it has been good for them to learn the culture and work ethic of the Japanese, especially in regards to teamwork. In Japan, being an individual and standing out from the crowd can sometimes be frowned upon. “That philosophy fosters teamwork and people working together towards a common goal,” said Kabeshita. While the Japanese culture continues to influence the company, Kabeshita points out: “We don’t have a home office in Japan or any shareholders there. I’m a U.S. citizen and my father is too, even though we weren’t born in this country.” Kabeshita said one thing he’s embraced from the U.S. culture is the use of positive reinforcement. “It’s more about how to motivate people and encouraging them to do their best. I also believe in creating a positive, comfortable working environment.” Employees with a mixture of ethnic and racial backgrounds make up the company. Of Ark’s 140 employees, less than a handful are Japanese.

Coming on Board After earning a degree from the University of Michigan, Kabeshita worked for RJR Nabisco as a sales/marketing rep. After a year with RJR Nabisco, he joined the company in 1988, when it was still called Riken Spring and there were only about 15 employees.

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“I am very surprised at how resilient the spring industry has been throughout its history and specifically during the past few years. I guess it is a testament to how strong our industry has become,” said Kabeshita upon reflection. “People will often ask: ‘How’d you get involved in the business?’ I would say: ‘My father convinced me into believing that you can control your own destiny if you become a business owner in the U.S.,’” said Kabeshita with a chuckle. He said being a business owner was appealing, but working for his father was another story. “I grew up in a pretty strict family where my father was working all the time and not home a lot. So why would 1 want to go work for my dad?” The appeal of doing something more international in nature that would involve traveling to Asia and using a little bit of his Japanese background was a very powerful influence on Kabeshita. He said the reality of doing that for RJR Nabisco would mean another 10 or 15 years with the company before being afforded those opportunities. “Humble beginnings,” was how Kabeshita described his early days with the company. “I remember back in 1988 driving down to rural areas of Kentucky and Tennessee by myself to develop new business.” He relates a story from the early days of the company. After working until 7 p.m. one night, Kabeshita said he piled into the car with his father and an engineer to make a seven hour drive to see a customer. Kabeshita said his father sat in the back seat handforming springs, dispensing business wisdom and criticizing his driving the entire trip. “All at the same time! You’d think after talking for hours he’d get tired but no, he kept going,” he said. After four hours on the road and approaching midnight, Kabeshita said his father instructed him to pull off the highway so they could sleep for the night and make the additional three hour drive in the morning. Passing all the nicer hotels, Kabeshita said it was the Red Roof Inn that his father chose. Even though there were few cars in the parking lot, his father told Kabeshita that there was only one room available that the three men would share. He said frugality was always the order of the day for his father. Times have changed. The company, which is located near the DuPage Airport, now owns and operates a private plane that is parked at the airport, making it easy for them to visit customers at a moment’s notice. It’s a plus for Kabeshita’s father, a private pilot.

Most of the flying duties are now accomplished by Eric Takeda, the company’s business development manager/pilot. “We are fortunate to have many long ter m associates, like Eric, who have worked in various departments and are cross-trained in different jobs. This helps with training new associates and our people are always willing to help out co-workers outside their normal duties and responsibilities.” Flying stories are often as abundant as fishing stories. One memorable flight story occurred when Kabeshita and Eric Takeda were in Lexington, Ky. visiting a customer. After arriving at the small airport to return to Chicago, they were advised that no planes were taking off or landing, despite the fact that the weather was picture perfect. Soon they learned that Air Force One, with former U.S. President George W. Bush, was landing so he could make a scheduled appearance in Lexington. Hopes of getting home in the early evening were dashed for Kabeshita and Takeda. To their surprise, the jumbo jet ending up being parked next to their small prop plane, surrounded by secret service agents. Quite a contrast in size, said Kabeshita with a laugh.

Moving Forward Kabeshita became president of Ark in 2003. It was at the same time that Ark joined SMI. Not long afterward, he met former SMI president Dan Sebastian at Spring World. Due to their mutual affiliation as University of Michigan alumni, the two hit it off immediately. Not long after this Sebastian invited Kabeshita to join the SMI board of directors. “I have enjoyed the contacts I have made and have been impressed by the organization and leadership during my term, including past and current presidents Dan, Reb (Banas), and Scott (Rankin),” said Kabeshita. “I know the future of SMI is in good hands with Steve Moreland, as well. And of course SMI would not be what it is today without Lynne Carr.” His only regret is not having joined SMI sooner. Like other springmakers, Kabeshita has enjoyed the industry contacts he’s made and the opportunity to benchmark with other spring companies. “I am very surprised at how resilient the spring industry has been throughout its history and specifically during the past few years. I guess it is a testament to how strong our industry has become,” said Kabeshita upon reflection. He appreciates the friendly atmosphere and open dialogue that occurs between spring companies. “I am amazed at how many spring companies sell product to each other.” Resiliency has also been a theme at Ark Technologies in navigating the recent Great Recession. Kabeshita

said a great challenge during that time was making difficult decisions to restructure the company. “We never faced a situation where we had to lay off any associates. In the end though, this experience has made us a better company.” Kabeshita is thankful for customers with great business ethics and integrity. “Even during the difficult times our customers were paying us on time,” he related. Other than a few customers who filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which were a small part of business, Kabeshita said the company did not have to endure any hardships during the recession. In a recent article in the Daily Herald Business Ledger, Kabeshita said that after a tough 2009, 2010 ended up being a record sales year for the company.

Future Prospects With an eye toward the future, Kabeshita is “cautiously optimistic” despite global economic uncertainties and financial/banking sector challenges. He sees improving consumer confidence and spending as good signs that should lessen the chance of double dip recession. “Regarding our company, the threat of global competition still exists, so we will need to continuously reinvent our organization and look for ways to reduce costs,” said Kabeshita. “Also, technology continues to change in the automotive industry, specifically with the emergence of hybrid and electric vehicles, so it may affect and reduce the need for mechanical components such as springs.” Looking forward, Kabeshita said, Ark needs to be able to anticipate these changes and react quickly to adapt to new technology. “The automotive industry is still extremely competitive so we cannot take anything for granted.” In the Daily Herald Business Ledger article he said, “We are trying to diversify our business further and looking for new opportunities outside of the automotive industry. We are looking at some opportunities with the public transportation sector and would consider an acquisition of some type in the future to broaden or enhance our product line.” Like others, Kabeshita sees the need for every springmaker to develop a niche or core competency. He sees this as an ongoing key to survival. In providing words of wisdom to other springmakers, he advises that continuing diversification is good. “Look for new markets; new opportunities,” he said. “You’ve got to stay lean. Do the benchmarking. Network. All those things are critical in this business.” Kabeshita and Ark do all these things to ensure their future survival. And all of it is done from the special vantage point of being an American company with a Japanese heritage—blending the best of the east and west. u

SPRINGS Winter 2012 53

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Join The Conversation! SMI on LinkedIn Are Four-Slide Machines Obsolete?

inkedIn is a business-related social networking site with more than 135 million users worldwide. The membership of LinkedIn grows by approximately two new members every second and about half of the members are in the United States and 11 million are from Europe. LinkedIn supports the formation of interest groups that mainly cover professional issues. Increasingly LinkedIn has become popular among those who conduct business in the spring industry. Over 140 people belong to the Spring Manufacturers Institute’s group on LinkedIn. Discussions have centered on technical questions, job postings, and industry issues. Recently, Linda Froehlich, owner, Ace Wire Spring and Form Co., Inc. asked the SMI LinkedIn group: “Are four-slide machines obsolete?” Here’s the thread of the conversation that took place in answer to Froehlich’s question. “On the contrary, they are very much alive and well as far as I’m concerned. Our 12 machines are highly utilized. I think there will always be a use for this type of machine,” said Tim Morris, president, James Spring & Wire Company. Ronald Buzinski, vice president/ general manager at Thyssen Krupp N.A., said, “I agree with Tim. We deal with a substantial amount of companies who use fourslide machines and they have unique attributes which are an advantage in many designs and applications. I believe there will always be a need for their use.”

“I have visited 15 spring companies in the past few months,” explained Lynne Carr, SMI’s general manager. “They are very much alive and working, so I don’t think they are obsolete. The companies I visited that have four-slides, are totally in use! So they seem to be still a force in springmaking.” Meanwhile, Reb Banas, president, Stanley Spring & Stamping, had this to say: “Having both ‘slide’ and ‘press’ divisions, our four-slide division is much slower than our progressive die work. I agree with all, but when you have a lot of slide forming machines, it sure seems the trend is toward progressive die work and slide forming has shifted to Asia or elsewhere as a commodity driven segment.”

SPRINGS Winter 2012 55

Over 140 people belong to the Spring Manufacturers Institute’s group on LinkedIn. Discussions have centered on technical questions, job postings and industry issues.

“Our shop does not have four-slides, but from what I know about them, their parts per hour output is much higher than traditional wire forming machines,” commented Alex Altstatt , business development, Western Spring Mfg. “I would have to guess that if there were mature parts with high volumes that justified a four-slide, they would already be overseas. Unless of course the buyer does not want to eat the cost of the new tooling charge, since they have already paid for it in the U.S.” Matt Eggemeyer, vice president and chief operating officer for Keats Mfg. Co. emphatically replied to the question: “No way!” “Even though new slides are not made any more, there are many in active use throughout North

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America,” explained Eggemeyer. “We (Keats Mfg. Co.) have over 100 four-slides and multi-slides in Illinois and Texas. We are able to produce very complicated metal stampings and wire forms. It is important to maintain them annually (replace bushings, etc.) and continue training employees on the specific skills associated with these machines. If you do that, you can expect the same tolerances as a press. There are many applications that can’t be made in any other machine or as economically.” Daniel Watt Jr., production manager at Stanco Metal Products said, “They are still a strong source of components that we utilize from our suppliers. I have worked with four-slides, progressive and transfer presses. All bring a unique aspect to the market that will not be eliminated unless we can mine the finished product straight from the ground. Keats is actually one of our suppliers.” “There are many new products being designed and produced on four-slides,” said Chris Ulbrich, COO at Ulbrich Stainless Steels and Special Metals Inc. “Ulbrich is a major supplier to dozens of companies. We are selling material to people who have moved jobs back from China and Mexico to the U.S. That says a lot about what the industry can do. Too bad we do not have our government support behind us!” The last comment to Froehlich’s question came from Hale Foote, president, Scandic Springs, Inc. “Scandic also runs both four-slides and presses. It’s a great advantage to be able to tool a new part for the process it fits best. Since we are spring companies, we all know that grain direction is often very important to the operation of the part. Plus, the material consumption is often much less in a four-slide process.” Ready to join the discussion? First you must be a member of LinkedIn. Once you’ve joined the social media site, search for the group “Spring Manufacturers Institute.” The SMI group is private, accessible to members only. Once a member is approved they are able to post messages and make comments. u

Inside SMI Learn to “Innovate Like Edison” at 2012 SMI Annual Meeting A great-grandniece of Thomas Edison, Sarah Miller Caldicott, will help attendees to the 2012 SMI Annual Meeting learn from her family’s lineage on creativity and innovation. The co-author of “Innovate Like Edison,” Caldicott will address the topic of the book to SMI attendees during her presentation on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at the JW Marriott San Antonio (Texas) Hill Country. Not only will Caldicott provide a keynote presentation on the subject of innovation, she will lead a session on “How to Drive an Innovation Culture.” This session will provide attendees with specific action steps to take to begin applying innovation principles in their own businesses. Caldicott began her 25-year career as a marketing executive with major brand-driven firms, including Quaker Oats and the Helene Curtis subsidiary of Unilever.

International Spring Scholarship Established

Concerned that America was losing its innovation leadership, Caldicott spent three years researching Edison’s innovation methods with leading experts at Rutgers University befor e

©iStockphoto.com/Doug Cannell

SMI is pleased to announce the addition of the International Spring Scholarship to the association’s Regional Spring Scholarship Program in 2012. Sponsored by International Spring Company of Morton Grove, Ill., this new $2,000 per year award will enable SMI to offer 10 student scholarships. “We thank Joe Goldberg and International Spring for their generous support of our scholarship program,” said SMI president Scott Rankin. “His company’s

co-authoring the book on the subject of Edison’s world-changing innovation methods. Caldicott’s clients include Google, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Coldwell Banker, Hewitt Associates, Emerson, and The Brookings Institute. She has also been featured as an innovation expert in the national media. In addition to Caldicott’s presentation, economist Alan Beaulieu will address the meeting on Monday, March 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Beaulieu is a principal of the Institute for Trend Research where he serves as president and one of the country’s most informed economists. He is the co-author, along with his brother Brian, of the book “Make Your Move.” To register for the 2012 SMI Annual Meeting, contact L ynne Carr at (630) 495-8588.

five-year commitment to our program is a testimony to his generosity and continued support for SMI and the spring industry.” L a s t y e a r, S M I a w a r d e d nine $2,000 scholarships. One scholarship recipient from each of SMI’s nine geographic regions was chosen; recipients represented SMI member companies. This new tenth scholarship will be chosen “at large” among all SMI regions. Nearly 100 students submitted applications for the new SMI program that started in 2011. The SMI Regional Scholarship Program is administered by Scholarship America.

SPRINGS Winter 2012 57

2012 SMI Webinar Schedule Announced To help educate its members, SMI is pleased to offer two safety webinars in 2012. The webinars are designed to help improve the knowledge of SMI member companies and their employees. The sessions will be led by Jim Wood, an independent regulations compliance consultant to SMI and a certified instructor of the OSHA Outreach Program. Wood is a regular columnist for Springs. Here are the dates for the 2012 webinars and a brief description.

“How Your Safety Program Can Add to Your Bottom Line” – Tuesday, April 10, 2012. “Your safety program should not be costing you money, but making you money,” says Wood. In this webinar, he will explain how this is possible and what steps to take to achieve this goal. “Machine Guarding” – Tuesday, October 16, 2012. For a continuing program to improve safety at your facility, OSHA maintains that guarding must be made a part of each setup routine. This

webinar concentrates on: The most typical types of equipment found in springmaking facilities. Various methods of guarding that have been acceptable to some OSHA inspectors without establishing a precedent. Understanding OSHA guarding requirements and various guarding options available. For more information or to register, visit www.smihq.org and click on the “Education” tab at the top of the home page.

SMI Board Meeting Held in Las Vegas The SMI Board of Directors met in regular session on September 25, 2011 just prior to the start of the SMI Fall Meeting at Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, Nev., just outside Las Vegas. SMI president Scott Rankin thanked all board members and staff for their attendance and participation. Rankin thanked the members whose board term expired this year: Dennis Backhaus, Spiros Industries, Inc., Greg Heitz, Exacto Spring, and Miko Kabeshita, Ark Technologies.

Among action items: • The 2012 SMI budget was approved. • Plans are coming together for the 2012 Annual Meeting, March 16-20 at the JW Marriott in San Antonio, Texas. • Springs magazine themes for 2012 include: “Springs and Leisure Products” (Winter), “Safety” (Spring), “Export/ Import” (Summer), and “50th

58 SPRINGS Winter 2012

Anniversary of Springs/Spring World 2012” (Fall). Ad rates will remain the same for 2012. • The technical committee hopes to build more industry-wide pieces of information. The committee recommended that SMI become an A2LA accredited lab. They also recommended the purchase of new equipment for the SMI lab including a ductless ventilation system, microscope and stereoscope. • The associate members committee recommended a tiered approach to SMI event sponsorship in order for more companies to be involved. The committee also recommended that associate members receive some sort of discount for recruiting new springmakers. • Even with the untimely death of Jim Gorand, who served as SMI’s 401k advisor, the new program with ING is moving forward with Jim’s partner,

Mike Campbell. Hap Porter reported that ING was able to save his company 35 percent on fees. Porter said he would highly recommend that other SMI member companies take a look at the program for their company and employees. • The regulatory compliance committee reported that Jim Wood had already booked or conducted over 40 audits and safety training sessions during 2011 which is a record year. Steve Kempf reported that OSHA targeted audits are up by about six percent and the spring industry continues to be targeted. Wood said if members have questions about OSHA to call him. He said even if OSHA shows up at a member’s door that he will help them at no charge. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for San Antonio in March.

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Developing groups or forums with social media requires active promotion. I had started the group and waited to see who might search for it and join. Since social media is not mainstream for our industry as surmised, this is not a surprise. Passiveness on my part contradicted the active and interactive ability of social media. I believe that proactivity on social media is required to be successful. The next generation of engineers, technicians, management and business owners will bring new to

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“The article, ‘Social Media for the Spring Industry: Is There a Role?’ (Summer 2011), caused me to think about using social media to reach out to new and existing customers and I wanted to provide a method for sharing information on spring testing. Having determined that LinkedIn would provide the best opportunity for B-to-B contacts, I created a group on this site. ‘Spring Testing Forum’ was created for spring manufacturers and companies that incorporate springs into their products to discuss aspects and challenges in testing springs and correlating spring test data. I figured that I could expand on what I had discussed at SMI and CASMI events over the past few years. Data correlation has become more of an issue with many users imposing tighter spring tolerances on the manufacturers. Over the past few months I have learned several things. LinkedIn is not in the mainstream for making contacts with spring manufacturers. I think that using social media is not at the forefront for communication for spring manufacturers.

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Letter to the Editor

The editorial staff encourages signed “Letters to the Editor” responding to an article or news item in Springs, or expressing an opinion on a spring industry topic. The editor reserves the right to reject letters or edit for clarity, brevity, good taste and accuracy, and to prevent libel. No poetry, attacks on private individuals, or letter-writing campaigns, please. Letters should generally be brief (150-200 words) and to the point. Send your letters via e-mail to: lynne@smihq.org, or fax (630) 4958595.

SMI Mourns Passing of Member It is with deep regret that Springs announces the passing of John V. Navarro of Navarro Spring Company on September 19, 2011. Navarro, 65, of Springfield, Pa., passed away at home, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with colon cancer. Born in South Philadelphia, Navarro graduated in 1964 from St. John Neumann Catholic High School. A gifted machinist, he along with his father, Louis, started Navarro Spring Company in 1969. This business has

grown over the past 42 years and has spanned four generations. Navarro Spring Company produces components that are used in almost every industry in the world – including aerospace, military, medical, automotive, fire equipment, and petroleum production. Navarro had a natural gift for engineering and design. His favorite place was the New Jersey Shore where he enjoyed the beach, boating, crabbing, and spending time with his friends.

Navarro is survived by his wife of 44 years, Joan, his daughter, Jill Smith (Scott) and two grandsons. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis R. and Caroline M. Navarro, and a sister, Phyllis Newmiller. He is also survived by many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. Navarro was a parishioner of Holy Cross Church-Springfield, a member of the Greater Wildwood Elks Lodge #1896 and an associate member of Cape May County Emerald Society.

SPRINGS Winter 2012 59

Don’t Let OSHA Play Games with Your Company! Hidden Hazards can be Dangerous and Expensive.

SMI’s Safety Audit of your facility will identify safety hazards and recommend abatements.

The program includes a preliminary interview, a review of the company’s written programs, a plant floor inspection and a detailed, written, post-audit report. Cost: $1,000 for Members, $2,000 for Nonmembers

For more information, contact: Spring Manufacturers Institute 2001 Midwest Rd, Suite 106 Oak Brook, IL 60523 Phone: 630-495-8597 Fax: 630-495-8595 E-Mail: regs@smihq.org Spring Manufacturers Institute

New Products

Precision Quincy Offers Class “A” Double Conveyor Oven

Precision Quincy’s latest oven is a Class “A” double conveyor oven built and outfitted to accommodate a number of customer-specific requirements. The company says, “Those same requests have resulted in an end product that truly defies the usual categorization of what a ‘typical’ conveyor oven is and/or should be.” The uniquely modified conveyor model features a gas-fired top-mount heat chamber. At the oven’s core, there are two powered side-by-side chain-driven roller conveyors whose drive direction is also reversible, along with pneumatically operated vertical lift doors on both ends of the oven chamber. The unit was designed to accommodate the processing of up to 4,000 pounds of product (armature commutators, in this

case) at a time. Each component weighs 325 pounds and, as part of the process, is loaded alongside five other commutators per batch onto customer-provided 19” x 19” perforated plates, where the ensuing preheat process takes place for 4.5 hours at 392°F. This advanced conveyor oven weighs in at 6,350 pounds, boasts a work area of 72 cubic feet and is capable of reaching and maintaining a maximum temperature of 500°F. This oven along with all Precision Quincy ovens and equipment are built in the U.S. to comply with NFPA86 and OSHA standards. For details, phone (815) 338-2675, or visit www.pqovens.com.

SPRINGS Winter 2012 61

ZnCoat™ Finish – New Plating Alternative NOF Metal Coatings North America Inc. and Curtis Metal Finishing Company teamed up last year to present a new finish called ZnCoat™, for industries such as construction, heavy equipment and agriculture. This chemical manufacturer and coating applicator team now present ZnCoat™ Yellow and ZnCoat™ Black, aesthetic options to ZnCoat™ Silver. ZnCoat™, a zinc-rich coating for ferrous metals, offers several major advantages for high strength fasteners when compared to electroplated zinc. The finish is entirely chromium-free (no hexavalent or trivalent chromium), and provides superior corrosion resistance with a thin film, without risk of hydrogen embrittlement. Most importantly, these features are available at no extra cost when compared to zinc plating, baked for hydrogen embrittlement relief. The addition of ZnCoat™ Yellow and ZnCoat™ Black augments the appeal of ZnCoat™ Silver, and all three versions feature: • Through-film passivation, which greatly extends corrosion resistance well

Metcor 52 Corrosion Inhibitor

Metalloid Corporation has introduced Metcor 52 a botanical “green” water base corrosion inhibitor. The product successfully replaces both oil and solvent base rust inhibitors totally eliminating VOC associated with these products. Metcor 52 is biodegradable and provides 12 months of indoor protection on all metal surfaces; it is safe for both people and the environment. For more information visit metalloidcorp.com, or call (269) 503-7300.

Larson Systems Adds Spring-Sorting Capabilities to its FLASH Testers

Larson Systems has added spring-sorting capability to its FLASH 11 and FLASH 24 spring testers. In a news release, the company says, “Positive sorting is faster and easier than ever before, by using a sweeper, a pneumatically powered three-way sorter and the sorting capability of Larson’s proprietary Pro Spring, Pro Material or Pro Ultimate software programs.” The FLASH sorts each spring as it is tested. Operators plug in sorting parameters via touch screen, place springs on the testing plate and let the FLASH Sorting Package go to work. With an optional foot pedal to start each test, the process may reach testing rates of 800-plus parts per hour, with a steady stream of parts to the tester. For more information, contact Bruce Hill at (763) 7802131, or visit www.larsonsystems.com. u

62 SPRINGS Winter 2012

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beyond the capability of conventional zinc plate and chromate; Self-healing properties, which protect ZnCoat™ coated articles from tool damage at installation as well as abrasion in service; Outstanding cyclical corrosion performance and UV weathering resistance; Freedom from the risk of hydrogen embrittlement; Consistent frictional characteristics; And compatibility with nylon patches, adhesives and sealants.

“ZnCoat™ Yellow, ZnCoat™ Black and ZnCoat™ Silver address the aesthetic needs of customers,” says Brian Lowry, vice president – technical services at Curtis Metal Finishing. “When a customer chooses one of these products, they will receive a finish with higher corrosion resistance, which translates to maintaining its attractive appearance much longer than electroplated zinc.” For more information, please contact Lowry at (586) 939-2850, or go to www.zncoat.com.

Advertiser’s Index Admiral Steel (800) 323-7055. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Alloy Wire International (866) 482-5569. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 CASMI (630) 369-3466. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Century Spring, Division of MW Industries (800) 237-5225. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Diamond Wire Spring Co. (800) 424-0500. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Dispense Works (815) 363-3524. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Elgiloy Specialty Metals (847) 695-1900. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Forming Systems Inc. (877) 594-4300. . inside front cover, back cover Gibbs Wire & Steel Co. Inc. (800) 800-4422 inside back cover Gibraltar Corporation (847) 769-2099. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Guangzhou Intl. Spring Exhibition 0086-20-38621265. . . . . . . . . . . 22 Industrial Steel & Wire (800) 767-0408. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

InterWire Products Inc. (914) 273-6633. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 JN Machinery (224) 699-9161. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Kiswire (201) 461-8895. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Lapham-Hickey Steel (800) 323-8443. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Larson Systems (877) 780-2131. . . . . . . . . . . 30, 39 Mapes Piano String Co. (423) 543-3195. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Messe Düsseldorf (312) 781-5180. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 NIMSCO (563) 391-0400 . . . . . . . . . . 17, 45 Oriimec (859) 746-3318. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Precision Quincy (800) 338-0079. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Precision Steel Warehouse (800) 323-0740. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Proto Manufacturing (800) 965-8378. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Radcliff Wire (860) 583-1305. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

RK Trading (847) 640-9371. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Simplex Rapid (563) 391-0400. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Spring Manufacturers Institute (630) 495-8588 . . . . . 15, 42, 60, 63 Suzuki Garphyttan (574) 232-8800. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Tool King (800) 338-1318. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Ulbrich Stainless Steels (203) 239-4481. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 United Wire Co. (800) 840-9481. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Vulcan Spring & Manufacturing Co. (215) 721-1721. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Zapp Precision Strip (203) 386-0038. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

SMI at the JW Marriott San Antonio Friday, March 16 to Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Watch your email and our website for more details, www.smihq.org, pardner!

SPRINGS Winter 2012 63

Snapshot Brett Nudelman International Spring Company Nickname: Nudel Company name, city and country: International Spring Company and Warnock Spring and Mfg. Co.

Brief history of your company: My stepfather, Joe Goldberg, bought the company in 1969. He grew the company for many years. In 1989 he bought Warnock Spring Co. and consolidated the two companies in Morton Grove. We are now one of the best automotive spring companies in the United States.

Job title: General Manager Birthplace: Chicago, Ill. Current home: Northbrook, Ill. Family: Wife, Pam, daughter, Hannah, 12, son, Zachary, 8, and two dogs, Lola and Daisy.

What I like most about being in the industry: That we are all competitors, but we help each other out when needed.

Brett Nudelman with wife Pam, daughter, Hannah, and son, Zachary

Favorite food: Skirt steak.

Spending time with my wife and watching TV with her at the end of the day (after the kids are asleep).

Favorite books: I read Automotive News and Crain’s Chicago Business every week.

Favorite song/musician: Elton John and Billy Joel (any of their greatest hits). Neil Diamond as well (but don’t tell anyone!).

Hobbies: Golf, going out to dinner with

A really great evening to me is:

The one thing I can’t stand is: People that are pompous and not trustworthy.

My most outstanding quality is: My loyalty and honesty.

If I weren’t working at International Spring, I would like to: Be a pediatrician.

The most difficult business decision I ever had to make was: In 2009 during the recession, when I had to lay off good, qualified people that had been with our company for a long time.

Role model: Joe Goldberg! He is my teacher, my father, and my best friend.

friends, and golf.

People who knew me in school thought I was: “THE NUDEL” — the

Favorite places: Pebble Beach, Calif.,

nicest guy who was liked by everyone.

I would like to be remembered in the spring industry for: Being an

and Scottsdale Ariz.

I knew I was an “adult” when: I got

Best times of my life: Now. I try to

married to my wonderful wife, and I saw my children being born.

honest and helpful person to everyone in our industry.

live my life with a “mix” of family, work, and golf.

64 SPRINGS Winter 2012

But people will probably remember me for: A good golfer and Joe’s son.

Why Partner With Gibbs?

Our New Service Center in Mexico.

We are very excited to announce the opening of our new facility in Mexico, Gibbs Metals de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V. (++ 52 (442) 384â&#x20AC;&#x201C;3950). Our seventh distribution center is strategically located to provide customers with quicker inquiry response, even faster deliveries and the convenience of localized Spanish speaking employees.

able and reliable people, innovation and leading edge technology, the lowest total cost and a commitment to customer service and responsiveness beyond traditional expectations. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why so many leading companies have chosen to partner with us.

Since 1956 Gibbs Wire and Steel has represented a combination of excellent quality product, knowledge-

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INTRODUCES: 20XM 11-15 AXES SPRING FORMER

FEATURES

▪ 11-15 independent synchronized servo axes. ▪ Rotating quill & wire. ▪ Precision ball screw main slide for OD & Forming accuracy. ▪ Toolings/Servo Motor direct drive for speed & stability. ▪ Single and Multi-radii servo winders. ▪ Feed roller pressure gauges. ▪ On-screen diagnostics with alarm, status, and corrective action. ▪ Touchscreen interface. ▪ Wire range: 0.6mm - 2.0mm

See at:

2012 HTC 20XM

CL SERIES 5 AXES COILERS FEATURES

▪ Wire range: 2.2mm - 6.0mm OR 3.0mm - 8.0mm ▪ Totally cam-less operation. ▪ Rotating and straight cutoff capability standard. ▪ Mandrel in-out movement. ▪ Fast right hand to left hand coiling conversion. ▪ Feed roller pressure gauges. exchange ▪ Electronics cabin heat exchanger. ▪ O.D. control standard. ▪ Programmable air valves for flexibility. ▪ On-screen diagnostics.

See at:

2012

HTC 80CL

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COILERS – FORMERS – BENDERS – GRINDERS – OVENS – TESTERS – VISION SYSTEMS