Think You're Funny?

By Heather Martin (Innovative InterChange Associates) 

Do you know how to read your employees?

The ability to interpret and respond effectively to their cues—especially nonverbal ones—can make such a difference in your relationship with them.

For example, if you tend to tease and crack jokes to relieve pressure during stressful situations and you don’t realize that no one else is laughing, you might come across as insensitive. You cannot control (nor are you responsible for) whether or not others feel offended; still, your interaction with them can be more effective if you are willing to adapt how you behave.

We Remember...

To those who served and gave all... we are forever thankful!

Local Robotics Manufacturer Thrives, Hosts Automation Event

By Gary Weldon (Staub Manufacturing Solutions)

Last week I was one of many who attended the Machine Tool Automation Tech Day at Yaskawa Motoman in Miamisburg. Their impressive new facility just off of Austin Blvd. opened in June of 2011 and combined the operations formerly located in West Carrollton and Troy, OH.

As another sign of positive growth in the manufacturing industry in the Dayton region, Motoman is already bursting at the seams of their expansive 300,000 square ft. plant. “We are running out of room to put new work areas and new employees.” said Sam Schenk, Motoman employee and event tour guide. They currently employ nearly 300 people at this location.

On our tour we visited their on-site training lab that offers customers a thorough, hands-on experience working with the various robotics systems. The classrooms and lab were equipped with fully functional robotic units for students to learn programming, operation and service.

As we walked through the plant, Sam explained that their product types are broken into two divisions: Standard products, which handles “off the shelf” type robots, and the Advanced Systems Group which makes engineered-to-order systems, often involving multiple robots and other process integration. Several special projects could be seen in the integration area. One was a work cell that utilizes several robots to deburr and polish a very large (I mean big!) engine block.

Have Your 'Big' Customers Put Your Company “At Risk”?

By Debbie Wanamaker (B2B Marketing Consultants, LLC)

Do you have 1 or 2 'big' customers? Customers you are proud to talk about? Customers that bring in a lot of your revenue and/or profitability?

Have you ever thought that those same customers could be putting your company at risk?

The risk comes in if those 1 or 2 'big' customers make up a significant portion of your revenue, or more importantly, profitability.

What is a “significant portion”? To answer that - think about this: What would happen to your business & employees & cash flow if you should lose one or more of those 'big' customers tomorrow? No notice - just gone.

Obviously it would hurt, but would your business survive? Would you have to lay off employees? Reduce manufacturing space? Take out a loan? Would you be able to make payroll?

Government Supporting Manufacturing Through Taxation?

By Rick Little (Starwin Industries)

Have you ever felt like the Government speaks out of both sides of their mouth, that they say what is politically expedient for the group they’re standing in front of today?

Lately I’ve heard a lot said from various government officials about the importance of manufacturing to the US economy and how they want to do everything they can to help promote growth in American manufacturing. I’m glad to hear that. I think it’s long overdue. I believe manufacturing is the backbone of any stable economy.

Then I open the Dayton Business Journal on Friday and read an article that says somehow the Government, in their wisdom, decided that the people manufacturing medical devices should help to subsidize the Affordable Healthcare Act, so in January of next year they are going to levy a 2.3% excise tax on manufacturers of medical devices.

Perspectives from Local Government: Hub Zones

By Keith Klein (City of Dayton)

Federal contracts can mean big business for manufacturing companies. As the home of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, the Dayton area has many opportunities in the aerospace and defense industry supply chains. It is more important than ever for companies to have the right certifications in order to remain competitive.

There are many certifications that may be important for your company. Some certifications show your commitment to quality performance. Others indicate a disadvantaged status, such as minority or woman-owned business certifications. Perhaps the most overlooked certification is the Small Business Administration’s HUBZone program.

Choosing to Be Resilient

By Heather Martin (Innovative InterChange Associates)

Why do some people bounce back from personal tragedy or stay glued during unthinkable chaos, while others feel crushed under the weight? Where does resilience come from? Are some people blessed with it and others not? 

While it might not feel like it, resilience is actually a choice. We all have the capacity to rise above difficult circumstances—it’s just a matter of whether or not we choose to strengthen and tap into that potential.

Time is Running Out!

By Steve Staub (Staub Manufacturing Solutions)

Two weeks ago MadeInDaytonBLOG.com launched a major Manufacturers Employment Survey, asking for your help, and tomorrow is the last day for you to get your company included!

To recap, we have a couple of facts to regard. Fact 1: everyone that we talk to says that they are hiring and having trouble finding people. Fact 2: there are over 2,400 manufacturing companies in the 14 county Dayton region that may be experiencing the same issue of finding people.

So, MadeInDaytonBLOG.com is conducting this survey to discover just how many jobs really are available, the types of jobs they are, and what these jobs pay. The purpose of this survey is to get some hard facts to back up what we keep hearing. These results will be shared with our readers, the news media, community stakeholders, trade organizations and our lawmakers.

If you haven't taken it yet, time is running out! It only takes two minutes to complete, so go ahead and do it now.

To participate, simply follow this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/H2DYKVL

Rest assured that any contact information you provide will remain completely confidential. 

We would like to thank all of our friends who have taken the survey and helped spread the word about it! We've had a great response so far and we hope to finish strong. The results will be published at the end of this month.

An American Original

By Mike Monnier (Barsplice Products, Inc., SME Chairman)

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Chapter 18 of Dayton, OH recently toured the KitchenAid plant in Greenville, OH. There, we witnessed the production of an American icon – the KitchenAid stand mixer. We saw a state of the art powder painting facility, robotic polishing of the patented bullet shaped gear case, CNC machining of the various components and the hand assembly of over 4,000 mixers per day.

The KitchenAid mixer began humbly enough in 1918 as a residential version of the commercial mixers produced by Hobart Manufacturing Company. These early models were beefy at nearly 65 pounds of cast iron construction! They were rugged and built with the aesthetic appeal of a drill press. The mixer was streamlined in 1936 by industrial designer Egmont Ahrens into the shape that is so familiar in kitchens today. The machines are also considerably lighter with the structural components made of die cast aluminum and zinc instead of using iron. A myriad palette of colors is offered to match any kitchen décor. The Greenville plant is the only plant producing KitchenAid stand mixers for both the domestic and export markets.

A Manufacturing Renaissance Plan

By Jordan Powers (Staub Manufacturing Solutions) 

Recently, we have discussed the issues of off-shoring and re-shoring in relation to the position of United States manufacturing. Many are seeing that even more manufacturing has the potential to move back to the United States. Some have warned that if we don't respond correctly (as a nation) we could miss this prime opportunity. 

Today, we will give a quick overview of the comprehensive plan that the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has put together titled: “A Manufacturing Renaissance; Four Goals for Economic Growth”. 

It begins with some eye opening facts:

• With 21 percent of global manufactured goods produced here, the United States is the world’s largest manufacturing economy. But our own policies are threatening that leadership position. China is second at 15 percent and Japan is third at 12 percent.
• Because of our policies on taxes, energy, tort and trade, it is 20 percent more expensive to do business in the U.S. than it is in the countries which are our nine largest trading partners—and that is excluding the cost of labor.
• The U.S. has the second highest corporate tax rate among the major industrial countries, trailing only Japan.
• 70 percent of manufacturers pay income taxes at individual rates. Therefore, any tax increase on individuals is a tax increase on manufacturers.

Are Manufacturing Jobs Really Available in the Dayton Region?

By Steve Staub (Staub Manufacturing Solutions) 

MadeInDaytonBLOG.com is launching a major Manufacturers Employment Survey and we need your help!

Survey says… we’ll we’re not sure what the survey says yet… we need your help to fill it out!  OK, let’s back up a bit.  We know a couple of facts. Fact 1: everyone that we talk to says that they are hiring and having trouble finding people.  Fact 2: there are over 2,400 manufacturing companies in the 14 county Dayton region that may be experiencing the same issue of finding people.

So, MadeInDaytonBLOG.com is conducting a survey to discover just how many jobs really are available, the types of jobs they are, and what these jobs pay. The purpose of this survey is to get some hard facts to back up what we keep hearing.  These results will be shared with our readers, the news media, community stakeholders, trade organizations and our lawmakers.