IMTS Blog - News and Information

The Kids Are Alright!

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:41:00 -0400

I’ve heard a lot about how the current crop of young people are entitled, lazy, and unprepared for a rapidly changing employment landscape - where competition from millions of technically skilled foreign workers will bring about the end of the American middle class. Pretty scary stuff! On a recent trip to Penn High School in Mishawaka, IN, however, I met a group of super smart, highly engaged high school students learning technical skills and applying them directly to projects with a proficiency I could have only dreamed about at their age. Due to the school’s difficult curriculum, these kids will be able to land a job immediately after leaving high school, with or without a college education, and make some serious coin. In the immortal words of The Who, “The Kids Are Alright!”

I traveled out to Mishawaka for Making College Work Night, an event co-sponsored by AMT, local manufacturing companies, and various educational institutions. We brought the IMTS Rally Fighter to drum up excitement about the event and draw attention to the diverse careers available in the manufacturing technology industry. As a group of students from the STEM (Science, Technology, Education, and Math) Academy were helping me roll the car down the hall, I got word that they were building a ladder climbing, Frisbee throwing robot. Being an avid disc tosser since high school, I was intrigued and grabbed my video camera to get a closer look.

As I entered the STEM wing of the high school I was immediately impressed by all of the resources these students had at their disposal. Everywhere I looked there were fully loaded Macs and PCs running CAD software. Adjacent to the classrooms was a fully equipped fabrication shop loaded with machine tools, welding gear, and soldering stations. It was a different level than the physics classrooms I remember in high school, containing a few oscilloscopes and some scales.

After a day of interviews, trust me when I say the future is in very good hands. The students I met were a cut above the rest and destined to kick some serious butt in life. Everybody I spoke with was extremely knowledgeable, and I found myself struggling to just keep up, much less ask an intelligent follow-up question that didn’t let on I had no idea what they were talking about. I can’t imagine where I would be if my high school had those kind of resources and pushed me to experiment with different skill sets before deciding what I wanted to do in college and with the rest of my life.

Penn High School is stepping up and providing its students with the technical skills and knowledge they need to get good paying jobs straight out of high school and succeed in an increasingly competitive and global workplace. The future success of the manufacturing industry in the U.S. depends on providing upcoming generations with the skills and knowledge they need to compete and build solutions. Penn High School is a shining example of how to accomplish just that.

Watch the video below for interviews with Penn High School students and teachers as well as a demonstration of their ultimate ascent robot.

At Your Library: Books, DVDs ... Demolition Hammers?

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 17:54:00 -0400

In some communities, the library is more than a repository of books, or a place where you get shushed for talking too loud. These days, libraries are offering courses on things like butchering and home brewing, and in some cases offering the equipment needed to do it.

As we grow into a more DIY culture, and libraries look for ways to appeal to a new audience, these types of offerings are popping up in many places. The Wall Street Journal recently printed an article on the trend. Perhaps growing frustrated with not having some of the hands-on skills of previous generations, many people are learning to do things like sewing, carpentry, car repair, and acquiring other skills for things that are often left to a paid professional.

With a trend growing toward individualized and one-off manufacturing, one can only imagine that it's just a matter of time before 3-D printing enters that same realm. Or maybe even courses in things like welding and CNC machining, or robotics programming.

What type of manufacturing-related courses would you like to see at your local library?

Happy Manufacturing Day!

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 12:38:00 -0400

This calls for a celebration – Manufacturing Day is here, a day devoted to expanding knowledge and improving public perception about careers in manufacturing and the industry in general.

To honor the day, a number of manufacturers are offering facility tours and other events. Here at AMT headquarters (home of IMTS show management), IMTS TV has created a video featuring Doug Woods, President of AMT, talking about why manufacturing matters. We also have a feature on the NIMS Student Skills Summit, which attracted thousands of students to IMTS 2012, and videos covering other great topics around manufacturing.

With a skills gap growing only more pervasive throughout manufacturing, now it's more important than ever to reach out to students and educators to give them a real understanding of the good paying, highly technical careers available in the industry. We need these bright minds and the enthusiastic energy behind them to ensure that U.S. manufacturing has a strong future. While exhibitors at IMTS were encouraged to welcome students into their booths, this is an effort that happens every day - not just on the show floor.

What are you doing to mark this day? What do you think needs to happen to improve public perception of the industry?

Good News for Automotive, and Good News for Manufacturing

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 13:31:00 -0400

Just 3 years ago, the Big Three automakers saw their factories running around 50 percent capacity. Now, it's predicted they will be at greater than 100 percent capacity by year's end. It's uplifting news for the automotive industry, and manufacturing as a whole.

This article from The Detroit News gives more details of the report, done by Ron Harbour of Oliver Wyman. He notes that automakers continue to move with caution, with an eye toward efficiency throughout the supply chain.

Still, it's good to hear some good news for the industry, and let's hope it continues throughout the rest of the year.

Drum roll please … meet the winner of Convince Them in 60 Seconds!

Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:07:00 -0400

Congratulations to DocMagnet, winner of the IMTS 2012 Convince Them in 60 Seconds video competition! DocMagnet garnered the highest vote total with their video, Got Magnets.

The winners received a $100 American Express gift card, and will have their video featured on IMTSTV. Stop by their booth at W-1356 to say hello! You can also visit their website at www.docmagnet.com.

Thanks to all of our exhibitors who entered the contest, and everyone who voted. We had some very creative submissions and we appreciate everyone taking the time to send in their videos. Thanks for being part of the fun!

Got a Reshoring Success Story? Share It!

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 17:33:00 -0400

If your business has successfully brought manufacturing operations back to the U.S. from overseas, we want to hear from you. Harry Moser, Founder of the Reshoring Initiative, is collecting reshoring case studies to promote its benefits.

This is a great opportunity to get some publicity for your business, as these real-world examples of reshoring (sometimes also known as insourcing) will be featured on IMTSTV. OEMs, contract manufacturers, distributors, and exhibitors are all encouraged to submit their case studies.

Also, you can catch presentations from Harry on three days during IMTS on The Manufacturing Stage (located on the Grand Concourse) – September 11, 13, and 14, all beginning at 9:30 am. He will also be available at the Reshoring Initiative table in the Gardner Business Media Booth (W-160) throughout IMTS. Full details are available at www.reshorenow.org/IMTS.

IMTS Rally Fighter - on tour!

Fri, 25 May 2012 14:07:00 -0400

The IMTS Rally Fighter - aka the first-ever "IMTS car" -- has taken to the streets as part of the GUMBALL 3000! Beginning in New York City, this fierce-looking car will be on tour and making stops en route to the rally's end point in Los Angeles.

You can use the Rally Fighter route tracker to track the team's progress. Be sure to get live updates from their blog, and check out some cool photos from along the way!

Want to see the car yourself? It's making stops or checkpoints in the following cities:

Niagara Falls (Canada) - May 25
Toronto - May 25
Detroit - May 26
Indianapolis - May 26-27
St. Louis - May 28
Kansas City - May 28
Santa Fe - May 29
Grand Canyon - May 30
Las Vegas - May 30
Los Angeles - May 31

If you'd like to meet up with the Rally Fighter team, contact Buddy Crisp at (909) 935-5096.

Learn about Clean Technology and Get a Live IMTS Update

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:44:00 -0400

If you’ll be in Chicago on May 9, you can get a first-hand update on IMTS from Peter Eelman, VP-Exhibitions & Communications at AMT. Peter will be speaking at the Brinks Innovation Competition Luncheon, the theme of which is “Where Are They Now?” – an update on last year’s competition winners.

Other discussion topics at the luncheon include a panel on trends in clean technology investment.

This luncheon is affiliated with Midwest Clean Tech 2012, which will be held at McCormick Place in conjunction with IMTS. You can learn more about that event at www.midwestcleantech2012.com.

Admission to the luncheon is free. It takes place May 9 from 11:30 am-1 pm at the offices of Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione, 455 North Cityfront Plaza Drive, NBC Tower Suite 3600, Chicago. RSVP by May 1 to Tracy Rudd at trudd@usebrinks.com.

Manufacturing – Caring Enough to Give Back!

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:36:00 -0400

The Manufacturing Industry currently fights against some antiquated stereotypes. One example is that “Manufacturing is a cold business that cares only about the bottom line.” That isn’t the case, as exemplified by Hydrotech, Inc. When I heard their story I was inspired to share it.

Since November 2008 they have supported the efforts of Tamara Andersson, President/Founder of Got-Autism, LLC. Tamara, whose son was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, was hard pressed to find instructional tools and therapeutic resources to assist her family. In an effort to help herself and other families, Got-Autism was created.

In her words:

“Our mission is simple: to help those with autism achieve satisfying and productive lives. Ultimately, we want to encourage and give hope to families raising children with autism. In this endeavor, Got-Autism donates 5% of every purchase back to the autism community. Each year we financially support seven local and national autism non-profit organizations. From sponsoring awareness events, funding therapy services, to helping with the costs of training autism service dogs, we believe in paying it forward.

We not only want our customers to be inspired, but also empowered. This is the inspiration for our work. “

So not only does Hydrotech, Inc. support this tremendous effort, but the site itself gives back 5% of each purchase to benefit local and national autism organizations. UPDATE: If you enter "Hydrotech" in the coupon box, you will receive a 10% discount!

It is an admirable endeavor and I wish you the best of luck!

If you are a manufacturer and you also have a “cause” – please email me at: lorange@amtonline.org – I would love to share your story too!

Day 1 - IMTS Rally Car Build

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:35:00 -0400

Be sure to follow our progress on Facebook.

A Big IMTS Welcome to Our First 2012 Visitor!

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:49:00 -0400

IMTS 2012 visitor registration is going full-steam ahead. We’d like to pause to say “thank you” to the man who started it all – Scott MacNaughton, President of Mac-Tech International!

Scott was the first visitor to register for IMTS 2012. His company offers consulting services to the manufacturing industry, as well as placement and recruitment for positions related to lasers, robotics, automation, and others, both domestically and internationally. He’s been to IMTS four times previously.

“We go to the show to meet with a lot of our existing customers, and also gain new customers,” he said. “It’s always a good networking event, but it’s also nice to see a lot of the new technology that’s out there.

“It’s always been a big show in this industry, and it’s nice to see everyone in one spot. You get to see the capital goods, but also the consumables that go along with it. It’s also a great place to find out where the industry is headed as a whole.”

Scott has also done work with students at IMTS to promote careers in manufacturing and educate them about their opportunities and the industry in general.

“There’s such a shortage of talented people in the industry right now,” he said. “I’ve been working with companies and schools and other organizations as to how to get the message out there, to get some of the young people into the industry.

“There are a lot of people in the industry who’ve been in it for a long time, and they’re looking to retire now. Companies are looking to build up the next wave for the future,” he said. “There are all kinds of mixed numbers out there regarding the number of technically skilled jobs that go unfilled, but overall it’s amazing to see how high those numbers can be.”

Scott, we wish you luck at IMTS 2012 … and thanks for kicking things off. See you in Chicago!

Manufacturing Industry News for January 2012

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:48:00 -0400

This industry news segment on IMTSTV is brought to you by AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology.

Investment is on its way to the BRIC nations, many announcements at the auto show in Detroit and Boeing is moving operations around the U.S.

Aired Monday, January 16, 2012. Let us know what you think about our news segment on IMTSTV - we're excited to be able to bring it to you each month.

Top 12 Resolutions IMTS 2012 Can Help You Keep

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:38:00 -0400

Did you make any resolutions going into 2012? Did you know that IMTS can actually help you keep them? Here are the top 12 resolutions that IMTS can help you keep in 2012.

The January IMTSTV Show is live at www.IMTS.com/IMTSTV. In the January 2012 show, we bring you the latest news and forecasts, an update on the McCormick Place rules and IMTS housing.

Poll: We've Got Work to Do

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:36:00 -0400

The results are in, and they’re not good. According to a survey commissioned by Kennametal (an IMTS exhibitor), only 9 percent of the 1,000 Americans surveyed felt that manufacturing was a “bright spot” on the U.S. economy.

But well known to those in the industry, manufacturing has actually been leading the recovery, in terms of both revenue and job creation.

This speaks to an unfortunate truth that our industry continues to face. Despite advances in mind-blowing technology, despite the good-paying and highly skilled jobs available throughout the industry, despite work to reach out to youth and encouraging them to consider a manufacturing career … a sullied image still pervades American sentiment. According to the survey, 71 percent of respondents would not recommend a career in manufacturing to young people.

So what can we do to change these perceptions? Clearly a walk through the show floor at IMTS would change a lot of minds, but we need to create a larger window of opportunity to truly work on improving the industry’s image. Polls like this show that no matter how far we think we’ve come, we’ve still got a long way to go.

If you could do one thing — anything — to improve the perception of manufacturing, what would it be?

Happy Holidays from the IMTS Gang

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:27:00 -0400