| A Revenue Roadmap: Mapping Out Your Sales Strategy |
Harvard Business Review
reports that companies with a formal sales strategy are 60% more likely
to achieve customer-retention targets, while the Sales Management
Association finds that organizations with a formal sales process
experience a 13% decrease in sales-cycle length and 18% more revenue
growth.
Under that backdrop, Lori Harbour writes: “There are a number of required pieces in developing a sales process. It all starts with a defined company strategy and target audience. It’s also critically important to understand what you do really well and the most profitable type of customers.” |
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| The Global Politics of Steel |
PMA
lobbyist Omar Nashashibi, reporting on trade-policy discussions on
Capitol Hill, finds steel and unions top-of-mind for politicians. And,
the European Union (EU) has joined the fray. He writes:
“Beginning in January 2026, the EU will implement the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, requiring importers of iron or steel (and other products) into the 27-nation bloc to pay a tariff based on the carbon emitted during production of those goods. By 2030, that list of affected imports likely will expand. … Much of the discussion with European leaders during the past year has focused on carbon-based tariffs and efforts to unify their position against Chinese overcapacity. South of the border, the Biden administration and Mexican officials are working to reduce the surge in imported steel entering the United States and stopping Chinese steel from being transshipped through Mexican companies.” |
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| Survey: North American Metals-Industry Outlook |
| This
eighth annual survey from Headwell Partners summarizes the outlook and
expectations for the North American metals (steel and aluminum)
industry. Industry executives (mostly CEOs) share their outlook for
sources and rates of sector growth and the impact of economic policy and
politics on such growth. Among summary observations: 80% of
respondents expect 2024 HRC prices in the range of $800-$1000 per ton,
and 51% expect 2024 P1020 ingot aluminum prices in the range of
$2300-$2600 per tonne. |
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| Put Your Company at a Competitive Advantage |
| Position your company as an industry leader when you utilize PMA resources—ITR Econ Trends reports, trade publications, One Voice and FABTECH trade shows. A PMA membership will provide your company and all of its employees with a range of valuable industry resources that are designed to help you become more connected, more informed, more efficient, more competitive and ultimately more profitable. |
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| Todd
Wenzel, president of TCR Integrated Stamping Systems, Wisconsin Rapids,
WI, joins Destiny of Manufacturing host Dean Phillips to discuss the
net positive impacts of deglobalization and the CHIPS and Science Act,
as well as automation strategy that helps to extend the working lifespan
of metal forming workers on the plant floor. |
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| Corner Office to Corner Café Welcomes Ann Stirling, CEO, and Lettie Thompson, COO, of Thompson Machine |
MetalForming magazine senior editor Kate Bachman talks with the mother-daughter leadership team at Thompson Machine, a metal forming company that started in a garage in the late ‘70s, manufacturing silver bezel cups for the jewelry industry.
“Eventually we grew out of the jewelry market and our garage and into manufacturing larger companies’ metal stampings and tool and die,” shares CEO Ann Stirling. “I bought out my former husband and I've had the business since 1999. So, we're a small, woman-owned business.” |
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| Three MetalForming LIVE Virtual Events Scheduled for Summer 2024 |
| First held in 2022, MetalForming
LIVE virtual events bring together multiple metal formers to discuss
topics, technologies, trends and more. Each session includes a short
presentation followed by a roundtable discussion, moderated by MetalForming
magazine editors, with the metal formers dispensing their expertise
gleaned from extensive experience. And, attendees can participate in
lively Q&A discussions. The three-part virtual MetalForming LIVE series this summer takes place July 10 and 24, and August 6. |
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| Building Supply-Chain Resilience Via Third-Party Logistics |
| In MetalForming magazine’s 5 Questions with an Expert discussion with KDL Logistics, we learn what metal formers can expect to gain from a third-party logistics relationship and how artificial intelligence plays a role. Also discussed: how business-process changes can drive profitability. |
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| Free Webinar: Family/Succession Planning |
Attendees
of this 30-min. event from Federated Insurance, scheduled for April 18,
will learn how to properly draft business-succession plans and
personal-estate plans to help mitigate and prevent legal issues.
Additional agenda items:
- Upkeep of corporate documents
- Liability and asset-protection planning
- Business-entity structure
- Employee retention
- The value of your personal estate and its impact on future generations.
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| Navigating Your Future as a Metal Former: Exit or Expansion |
| For
many metal formers, the market is booming; consolidation presents a
unique opportunity for small and medium-sized businesses to capitalize.
Whether seeking to maximize return through a sale, or expand reach
through acquisitions, company owners should review the list of key steps
offered here, toward navigating this dynamic landscape. |
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| Conference: Business & Legal Insights for the Automotive Landscape |
| Representatives from leading automotive companies will gather at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame on Thursday, April 25, for AutoConnect 2024. The one-day conference, from Frost Brown Todd, brings all segments of the automotive industry together for an executive-level discussion of the year’s most important trends, along with insights as to where companies should prioritize in the year ahead. |
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Cutting
Management