Online Seminar – "Tapping 101" Wednesday, September 1, Noon-1pm CT
By attending this event you will learn: * An understanding of tap basics, types of taps, coatings, coolants and common troubles with tap applications * How to choose the correct tap for your application * When to use a certain coating * The material condition that triggers a certain coating
In just about every application, tapping a hole is typically the final process or better said, tapping is a finishing process. Therefore, why risk the possibility of damaging a mold or a complete job by running the wrong tap or at the wrong speed or with the wrong coolant? We will guide you thru the basic types of taps and tap styles, coatings and coolants.
We will inform you of the different types of taps available and what their nomenclature is telling you about the tap. We will review the different styles of taps and what type of application are they better suited to perform. How does coating and coolant affect the life and performance of a tap and their running condition. We will then apply this knowledge to applications found in the mold and die industry. Join expert presenters Scott Fernandez of Vega Tool Corporation and Carl Konior of Application Industrial Marketing.
Invite your shop employees and machine tool operators to attend!
On Tuesday, September 14th, the Chicago White Sox will be taking on the Minnesota Twins at US Cellular Field at 7:11pm! Join us as we talk some shop while taking in a game! The Cell has a lot to offer fans, and a good time will be had by all.
The Warning Track Patio has been reserved for our group at $85 per person. (Includes game ticket and unlimited food & drink from 5:30-7:30pm.)
Please reply to this email at mailto:sdaniels@amba.org right away to let us know if you plan on attending! In your email reply, specify how many tickets to reserve, your name, company and email address.
2010 Annual Fall Conference -Registration deadline August 13th!
Fair Trade Starts With You – Election Year Action! September 28-30, 2010, Washington, D.C.
AMBA members and non-members are returning to Washington, DC at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill for the third year in a row. All U.S.mold manufacturers are encouraged to join the AMBA at this critical ELECTION YEAR meeting!
Don't miss out on the opportunity to meet with your elected officials to show them that we are serious about the issues that impact American manufacturing, our industry and OUR businesses!
Some of the top political issues that mold manufacturers say they face today are :
·Lack of credit and access to credit markets
·Trade laws, and unfair foreign competition
·Shortage of skilled employees, and an aging workforce
·Healthcare costs continue to rise
·Tax burdens on U.S. manufacturers
Each attendee will have meetings set up with House and Senate members in their state to discuss these and otherissues concerning you and your business. You will leave each member of Congress with an information packet filled with the knowledge they need to make the right decisions for their constituents. Meetings with representatives will take place from 1:00pm – 5:00pm on Wednesday, September 29th and 9:00am – 3:00pm on Thursday, September 30th. If you believe NOW is the time to get serious about taking control of the situation, you will absolutely attend this conference. There’s never been a more critical time to participate. With the mid-term elections looming in November, our September Conference is the prime opportunity to let our Senators and Representatives know what we expect them to do to support American manufacturing, and to support the small-business person.
All conference attendees will be assigned to teams based on your home state, and each team will have pre-scheduled meetings with specific Senators and Representatives. The focus will be to schedule meetings with as many representatives from your State as possible. Attendees will also receive complete packets of information specific to the political issues, and a pre-conference webinar will be offered to explain topics covered in Congressional meetings.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Calculating Your Shop Rate" Webinar - Archive Available
If you missed the AMBA presentation of: "Calculating Your Shop Rate", a recorded webinar archive copy is available for purchase.
Megan Johnson, CPA, and Jeff Wilson, CPA, from the accounting firm HLB Tautges Redpath, Ltd., covered:
*How do you calculate your company's rate? *How to define and allocate direct/indirect overhead costs? *How to calculate your break even point? *How do you account for idle time or underutilization?
In the current economy, it is crucial to understand all costs that go into making your product and allocate these costs appropriately. Often times, indirect costs are over looked and not factored into the total cost. This can lead to a shop rate that is too low and less profit on your jobs. They walked through sample Company financials breaking out direct and indirect costs as well as calculating the shop rate. They provided some ideas and tools to be able to apply this information to your own company.
Archive fee: $25 for AMBA members, and $45 for non-members. (includes archived presentation, Powerpoint slides, and sample Excel spreadsheets to calculate your shop rate.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Federal Healthcare Changes Webinar - Archive Available If you the 60-minute webinar presentation of: "How Will Federal Healthcare Changes Impact My Company?", a recorded archive copy is available for purchase.
Brian Whitlock, CPA, JD, LLM, a Tax Partner at Blackman Kallick explained how the current Federal healthcare changes will impact your company over the next few years as the full impact of the law phases in.
Brian discussed not only 2010 and 2011 tax law changes, but he focused on the new Obama Health Care Law, including: the Small Business Tax Credit for Health Insurance; higher Medicare Taxes; Employer requirements to provide "Free choice Vouchers"; employer penalties for failure to provide "affordable" coverage; new information reporting requirements and 1099 reporting for payments to corporations.
To order your copy, email Sue Daniels at sdaniels@amba.org or call 847-222-9402.
Archive fee: $25 for AMBA members, and $45 for non-members.
AMBA Announces New Board Members - Four directors have been elected to a three-year term.
Andy Baker, Byrne Tool Andy Baker is the Project Manager at Byrne Tool & Die in Rockford, Michigan. Andy currently runs all day to day operations and has helped Byrne Tool and Die transition into a sustainable business culture with annual growth over the past five years. While working at Byrne Tool, Andy has gained a vast knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and how to apply them to moldmaking. He also serves on the board for the American Mold Builders - West Michiganand the Michigan Tooling Group. Andy is a journeyman moldmaker and has been in the Tool & Die industry since 1993. He is currently attending CornerstoneUniversity, focusing on business administration. Andy is a Christian and avid outdoorsman. He enjoys hunting, camping and spending time with his family. Andy lives with his wife and three children in the Rockford, MIarea.
Michael Bohning. Creative Blow Mold Tooling Michael Bohning acquired Creative in 2006 after a career of more than 20 years in public accounting and management consulting. Creative Blow Mold Tooling celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2009. Michael, a CPA, spent many years working closely with owner-managed manufacturing companies on a variety of strategic issues, including business planning, financing, business process improvements, technology, and performance management. He has aggressively applied many of these lessons learned to the operations at Creative through initiatives in lean manufacturing, lean enterprise, training, performance management, quality, and customer service. Michael is active in the greater Kansas Citybusiness community
Kent Hanson, H.S. Die Kent started out his 35 year career as a mold polisher while attending college, then working his way up at HS Die and Engineering from a moldmaker, to Program Manager before he was promoted to General Manager where he works with other managers who follow the overall build and completion of 400-500 molds and 300 special machining projects annually. Kentfeels strongly about supporting the moldmaking industry andhas published many articles in trade periodicals. He has co-written and taught seminars that dealt with Basic Mold Theory. Kenthas: Worked for 9 years on the AMBA National Board of Directors, AMBA Local Chapter President for 6 years, and Helped lobby and pass for the 2001 State of Michigan’s Bill 4812 – “Mold Lien Law”
Justin McPhee, Mold Craft Justin is VP of Engineering at Mold Craft in Willernie, MN. Mold Craft just celebrated its 45th Anniversary designing and building precision injection molds. He began his career in 1999 as an entry level mold designer. The skills and values he learned early in his career as he progressed up the ladder earned him an opportunity to become the VP of Engineering. Justin’s most successful achievement was to become one of the owners of Mold Craft in September 2007. Justin filled a vacant seat on the National Board of Directors in late 2009 and has attended the 2008 & 2009 fall conferences. He is Secretary of the MN Chapter and is part of the Education Committee. Justin also volunteers in the local community to promote manufacturing to the students, teachers, and parents.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2010 AMBA Mold Builder of the Year
Andy Baker, of Byrne Tool & Die, Rockford, MI named 2010 AMBA Mold Builder of the Year, 3/24/10.
The AMBA, awarded the Mold Builder of the Year to Andrew Baker, project manager for Byrne Tool & Die in Rockford, Michigan. Andy received the award at the AMBA Annual Convention, March 24, in Orlando, Florida.
Andy and Byrne Tool has been a member of the AMBA since 2003. He serves on the West Michigan Chapter board and on the scholarship committee since 2004, and works actively to support the Chapter in a variety of ways, including organizing the first-ever Chapter golf outing which was very successful in raising money for the Chapter’s Scholarship Fund........Click here to read more about Andy Baker.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2010 Chapter of the Year
West Michigan Chapter wins 2010 Chapter of the Year Award. 3/24/10
The AMBA awarded the West Michiganchapter its 2010 Chapter of the Year Award. The award was presented to the chapter at the AMBA Annual Convention in Orlando, Florida, on March 24.
The West Michiganchapter has an extremely active membership base that promotes education and apprenticeships, with the help of its many supportive vendors. One of its member companies, Commercial Tool & Die, began an in-house training and apprenticeship program that led to the hiring of a full-time instructor. From this, Expert Technical Training LLC evolved, led by Ryan Pohl, who now works with local high school instructors, vocational centers and colleges to help develop a curriculum that can be used at those levels, along with training new hires in the industry.
When the chapter found out that the Gerald R. Ford Council of Boy Scouts was having difficulty getting a sponsor for one of their events, the West Michiganchapter stepped up and provided a $2500 check...Click here to read more about the West Michigan Chapter.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AMBA Completes Successful 2009 Fall Conference in Washington, D.C.
AMBA Carolinas Delegation, (left to right) Tim Pratt of Richmond Tooling; Dave Bowers of JMMS, Inc.; Scott Phipps of United Tool & Mold; Congressman Patrick McHenry of North Carolina; Nika Bailey of United Tool & Mold; Robbie Earnhardt of Superior Tooling; Roger McGinnis of Richmond Tooling and Steve Rotman of Ameritech Die & Mold. Photo courtesy of Creative Technologies, 2009.
The American Mold Builders Association completed a successful 2009 Fall Conference in Washington, D.C., as AMBA members paved the way for the mold manufacturing industry's continued push for fair trade, incentives to retain -- and regain -- U.S. manufacturing, and other issues of importance to U.S. mold manufacturers.
The AMBA Fall Conference attracted 57 members from across the country, who met on September 14 and 15, in pre-arranged meetings with 56 Senators and Representatives from various states and districts of the members in attendance, as well as those Congressional members who serve on committees important to trade and other issues.
Special guest speakers Alan Tonelson of the U.S. Business & Industry Council, and Lloyd Wood of the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition, kicked off the conference with statistics and other information helpful to AMBA members as they approached Senators and Representatives with the issues. Tonelson noted in his report that the recession has hit manufacturing especially hard. "Whereas the entire economy grew by 0.74% in real terms in 2009, the non-bubbled manufacturing sector shrank by 2.74%," Tonelson said. "Manufacturing's output losses so far in this recession (down 16.70%) already exceed even those of the 1973-75 recession (15.32%) -- formerly the worst U.S. downturn since the Great Depression."
Lloyd Wood of the AMTAC, whose goal is to preserve and promote domestic manufacturing, concurred with Tonelson. "Some things out here [in U.S. manufacturing] are truly shocking," he said. "U.S. manufacturing never came out of the 2000 recession and it was made even worse a year ago. We produce less than we did 10 years ago. That's absolutely stunning."
Tonelson added, "The health of the U.S. mold industry is an indicator of the health of the U.S. manufacturing sector overall. You are all at ground zero of the efforts to strengthen U.S. manufacturing," he added.
Wood noted that without the buying power of the U.S. consumer, developing nations would have few places to export their goods. "The U.S. is the goose laying the golden egg for China," he said.
AMBA Michigan Delegation (left to right) Bill Berry of Die-Tech & Engineering; Congressman Fred Upton of Michigan; Sandra Berry of Die-Tech & Engineering; Hank Baxter of Miller Mold; Todd Finley of Commercial Tool Group; Andy Baker of Byrne Tool; Dave LaGrow of Maximum Mold, and John Blundy of Incoe. Photo courtesy of Creative Technologies, 2009.
Steve Rotman, President of the AMBA and President of Ameritech Die & Mold Inc., (Mooresville, NC), noted that he's been fortunate to achieve the American Dream and fulfill his entrepreneurial spirit. "For those coming up behind my generation, it's becoming harder than ever for them to sustain that American Dream, take the risks and become successful," Rotman said. "That's why we're here in Washington, D.C. - to let our elected officials know what's happening to the American Dream, and why we need to keep the entrepreneurial spirit alive: because it's the life blood of this country."
AMBA members went in teams to visit their assigned Senators and Representatives, and everyone felt that it was a tremendous effort that was well worth the time spent. Tim Peterson of Industrial Molds Group (Rockford, IL) was impressed with the meetings he and his team had with Congressional people. "It was useful to talk to them and present our issues," he said. "It's important to really know who's on your side and who's not, and who can be swayed, and know not to waste time on those who can't."
Rotman said his group had a total of nine meetings representing the Southeast. "We found great discussions from both sides of the political spectrum, and felt that we were able to articulate the concerns of plastics manufacturing, moldmaking, small businesses, and the overall concern of how to get the economy going again. Everyone in our group feels that the time they invested was well worth it, and they hope to participate again."
AMBA Executive Director Melissa Millhuff, added that being in the Nation's Capital is exciting. "Talking to congressional people is what makes a difference for U.S. manufacturing and especially for our companies," she said.
Millhuff and Rotman both expressed the need for all U.S. mold manufacturers to become involved with the AMBA and to work with the organization as the AMBA continues to push for fair trade, lower business taxes, affordable healthcare with choice, and other issues important to mold manufacturers.
"With all of the changes that have been done, or are being considered, there has been no time like the present to get engaged and active," said Rotman. "Without public participation, our politicians are not sure what we like and what we don't like. The experience continues to bring out how proud and blessed we are to have the freedoms we enjoy every day. To see our government up close and personal is an experience I will never forget."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OEM E-Newsletter & Mold Buyers Corner Update AMBA is happy to announce that the Mold Buyers Corner on the AMBA website is getting lots of attention. There are one to two “hits” on the Mold Buyers Corner each day to sign up for the new OEM E-Newsletter. These hits are coming from very large OEMs throughout the United States, including many Fortune 500 companies. We’re also getting several questions each month from Mold users to AMBA members.
The new OEM E-Newsletter, sent on the third Wednesday of each month to hundreds of OEMs, is also being received quite well. There is still some ad space available to mold companies that want to promote their company/capabilities to this audience of OEM mold buyers. The next few months are just about full and expected to sell out, so call Sue Daniels at the AMBA office (847-222-9402) to reserve ad space.
The latest OEM E-Newsletter testimonial: "Advertising in the AMBA's OEM Newsletter has more than doubled our click-through traffic [from the amba.org website to badiemold.com]. We couldn't be happier. Fifty dollars is an extremely affordable rate when you consider that your company information is reaching mold buyers who are actively seeking new and innovative approaches for their tooling projects." Francine Petrucci, President of B A Die Mold, Inc.
Coming to 
If you missed the AMBA presentation of: "Calculating Your Shop Rate", a recorded webinar archive copy is available for purchase. 
If you the 60-minute webinar presentation of: "How Will Federal Healthcare Changes Impact My Company?", a recorded archive copy is available for purchase. 
AMBA is happy to announce that the Mold Buyers Corner on the AMBA website is getting lots of attention. There are one to two “hits” on the Mold Buyers Corner each day to sign up for the new OEM E-Newsletter. These hits are coming from very large OEMs throughout the 
