Page 8 - MetalForming November 2011

News Fronts
Letter to Editor
Dear Mr. Kuvin,
I enjoyed reading your edi- torial (September 2011 issue of MetalForming) on collabo- ration in the supply chain of the automotive industry. Although I’m not profession- ally involved in that industry, I can easily project the param- eters of likely cooperation in my industry—creation and supply of products for the detention and correctional industries. The natural ‘one- way-street’ way of doing busi- ness as usual is becoming outdated in this global econ- omy. Collaboration has inher- ent risks, but the rewards far outstretch those in terms of combining industrial ener- gies, new technologies and, well, just being green in thinking, so to speak.
I’ve been researching ways in which to lighten our load in producing typically very heavy products, such as prison doors, frames, ceil- ings, furniture and cell wall panels. However, I’ve found it’s difficult to try and change an industry’s (and an engi- neer’s, architect’s and build- ing owner’s) way of thinking. Reading your editorial has reinforced my belief that col- laboration in our industry could be essential, if we are all to survive in today’s expo- nentially changing economy.
We’ve spent a lot of time and money on R&D, most likely repeating the same work—and mistakes—that many other companies simi- lar to ours have. We have, though, collaborated on some projects with lock man- ufacturers; these have
worked well for both parties. So again, thank you for your insightful way of thinking
and projecting that to the metalforming industry. There is much to learn in your editorial.
Sincerely,
Scott Sanders
Grand Island, NE (company name omitted by request)
Agreements
United Performance Metals Acquires Bay-Area Distributor
United Performance Met- als, Hamilton, OH, acquired Plus Ten Stainless, Benicia, CA, specialists in precision carbide-tipped cold-saw cut- ting of stainless-steel plate. The west-coast distributor provides plate from 3⁄16 to
4 in. thick in several grades. The acquisition strengthens United Performance Metals’ west-coast presence—the firm also operates a service center in La Mirada, CA.
Associations
New Tradeshow Dedicated to Supply Chain Management and Logistics
Plan now to head to Atlanta, GA, February 6-9, for the Modex 2012 Expo and Conference. The brand-new event will showcase equip- ment and technology innova- tions for manufacturing, dis- tribution and supply-chain management. Slated to hit the Georgia World Congress Center are more than 500 exhibits and 70 educational
6 MetalForming/November 2011
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