Page 37 - MetalForming March 2023 - PMA Chairman Jeff Aznavorian

Clips & Clamps added this servo press line in 2020, “to take on the most challenging parts,” says Aznavorian, “including 5-mm- thick stainless steel. The line features a 330-ton Aida servo press (shown here under the direction of press operator Ali Suleyman) and Coe SpaceMaster Series 4 compact feed line (72-in. coil- width capacity, 0.30-in. max. sheet thickness). At the quality gauge: Clips & Clamps production supervisor Melvin Turner (left) and Mike Fasano, director of sales and operations.
As a great example of this, he points to the continued development of METALFORM EDU, PMA’s online, inter- active training system, which now features nearly 40 PMA- exclusive courses and more than 800 total courses, cov- ering topics such as precision measurement, blueprint reading, SPC, CNC, Six Sigma, lean manufacturing and safety.
“In the coming months,” Aznavorian shares, “PMA will launch new online courses designed for experienced press operators and die setters, which contrasts with the training programs converted from its DVD series—designed as more of a basic program for press operators and die setters.”
Per PMA’s technical director Pete Ulintz, the first new topic in this advanced category is die protection, comprising these modules:
• What is Die Protection? • Die Sensor Types
• Sensor Applications
• Sensor Settings
• Troubleshooting.
Following the die-protection module, the next topic on the agenda is lubrication for metal forming, shares Ulintz. That EDU course will cover, among other aspects: the purpose of metal forming lubricants and how they work; lubricant types and selection; and proper handling and disposal.
These new programs come on the heels of a 12-course press brake operation module introduced early in 2023.
Networking for Middle Managers, Too
C-suite interaction among member-company executives helps drive innovation and investments in new technology, and training for shop-floor workers ensures that those invest-
Tooling lead Josh Danko (left) and journeyman apprentice Bradley Alholinna work on a cold-heading tool destined for Clips & Clamps’ new robotic production cell. Alholinna’s father is the firm’s lead die designer, working his way up from apprentice to toolmaker to die designer. “We need to be able to create the types of jobs that allow us to pay our employees great wages,” Aznavorian says, “but that means that they’re going to be doing great things at the company.”
ments pay off in driving productivity and efficiency. In between the top floor and shop floor lie the members of the executive team that company leaders such as Aznavorian lean on to execute their visions. And, what avenues do these mid-level managers have for continuously improving their skill sets?
“Development of our executive team at Clips & Clamps is critical to our ongoing success,” Aznavorian shares, “and PMA plays a vital role here. For example, over the last few years we’ve sent five of our managers through the PMA Man- agement Development Academy (MDA).”
PMA’s MDA is an interactive three-part series of customized workshops designed to equip department supervisors, team leaders and other mid-level managers with the skills needed to inspire and lead their teams and organizations. Since its inception in 2012, PMA has led 12 of these workshops and counts nearly 300 graduates. And, the 13th cohort is scheduled for July 31-August 2, 2023, in Cleveland, OH.
“All five of our MDA graduates,” says Aznavorian, “have remained with the company. Sending them through the program illustrates our willingness to invest in their devel- opment, so we see that program as key from a retention standpoint.”
What better way to display Aznavorian’s leadership style than to show such commitment to his executive team by investing in their growth and in their careers.
“Several team members have been promoted over the years, as well,” Aznavorian adds. “That’s certainly a goal that PMA has with the MDA program, which we see as a mini business school. That is, to help our industry’s mid- level managers assume bigger roles within our companies.”
Also helping to move Clips & Clamps forward are the business reports provided by PMA to participating member
34 MetalForming/March 2023
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