By Sean Shafer
Business Unit Manager,
Die/Mold Technologies
Makino is again leading the marketplace in supplying application solutions that can be taken to the shop floor — in this case, where new thinking takes shape with modern communication methods to help customers research machine tools and technology.
This “Speed of Knowledge” is requisite to the “Speed of Execution.” This is the formula for global competitiveness.
State-of-the-art communications techniques such as Internet research and web-based seminars, often called webinars, create a knowledge and value output ideal for the North American die and mold builder. Learning about the latest technologies in these ways helps expedite the decision process on which suppliers offer the best solutions and allows the knowledge from a few to reach the many.
Distinct Advantage
Speed of information can create a distinct advantage for die and mold shops—if they take the time to participate. It is an effective time investment to learn from these new, online webinar communications before making a more significant investment in conventional methods, like tradeshows.
Competitive North American die and mold companies have a distinct advantage of being more flexible than their global competitors by implementing new techniques at an earlier stage. They simply adjust business practices to changing economic conditions faster than other markets.
The winners are always the early technology adopters and the ultra-fast turnaround experts who know that speed of execution is the competitive differentiation. Die and mold shops also need to grow vertically and add value to their customers by offering services to become single-source shops for engineering, tryouts and the servicing of molds or dies.
History Teaches Us
History is the best teacher and purveyor of the future.
Look around at the history of die and mold shops. Many shops have been profitable for several years, but have become content to let the investment in knowledge and execution pass them by in order to enjoy short-term gains.
But by not investing in new technology and processes, the speed of change will eventually take away their current competitive advantage compared to those who have executed a path of investment. These early adopters will be in position to adapt to the next industry transition and weather any upcoming downturn.
The North American market’s unique competitive advantage is the fact that it thrives in an open market with reasonable access to capital. In our free enterprise society, we are also able to naturally foster creativity. This environment rewards those companies that take risks.
Remember the dire predictions from the late 80s that Japan and Europe would overtake North America in economic might? Doesn’t it sound a lot like the Asian complaints of today?
To operate in a global economy, we either drive the transition or the transition drives over us. Look beyond today and invest a reasonable percentage of time and money to be a competitor in whatever future markets offer, such as micromachining, medical and automation technologies.
Effectively channeling knowledge into performance execution is the formula for continued success. Go to makino.com/events to take advantage of modern educational opportunities.
Contact Sean at 248-232-6200; E-Mail: Sean.Shafer@Makino.com.