Checking In

Congresswoman Visits Manufacturing Productivity Center
U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) visited the Schaumburg, Ill., Sandvik Coromant Productivity Center on Aug. 23, 2013, to participate in a discussion on the future of manufacturing in the Chicago, Ill., area. Recent studies have shown that the region and her district, Illinois’ 8th, to possess a unique mix of infrastructure, geography, and potential labor force that makes it suitable for ramped up technology and manufacturing sectors.

This event, co-hosted by the Chicago Metropolitan Agency of Planning (CMAP), provided an opportunity for local manufacturing business owners, public, and private stakeholders to discuss the issues facing manufacturing, and actions being taken to support the regional economy. Congresswoman Duckworth addressed the skills gap in manufacturing by highlighting the need for a stronger link between skills certifications and job placement.

“Moving this district forward is all about manufacturing,” Duckworth said. “We have the largest concentration of tool and die manufacturers in the entire nation right here in this congressional district, but we still have capacity.” She says that applies to manpower and workforce as well as to the businesses.

Sandvik Coromant’s Kevin Clay addressed the important support role productivity centers, like the one he manages in Schaumburg, have in the equation. Staffed with experienced and knowledgeable instructors and engineers, the centers serve as resource centers for both theory-based training and education, and real-world manufacturing consultation and solution. www.sandvik.com

Mfg. Employees on the Move
Manufacturing workers are feeling good about their job prospects, with 44% of employees reporting that they will look for a new job in the next 12 months, according to the recent Randstad Manufacturing Employee Confidence Index. That is 18 percentage points higher than the previous quarter.

The number of manufacturing workers who believe more jobs are available rose from 21% to 28% in Q2, yet fewer employees are confident in the future of their employers. In fact, this was the sole area where a decline (47%, down from 53%) among manufacturing employees occurred between the first and second quarters of 2013.

Phyllis Finley, executive vice president at Randstad US, says, “Figures this high have not been reported since well before the 2008 recession, and we believe this increase has a direct correlation to employees’ confidence in the overall economic recovery.” www.randstadusa.com

Haimer to Supply Kennametal’s Spindle Connection
In a recent agreement, Kennametal has granted toolholding maker Haimer GmbH (Igenhausen, Germany) license to provide Kennametal’s advanced KM4X spindle connection solution throughout Haimer’s global markets.

“This is a full-system partnership between companies with identical philosophies,” says John Jacko, vice president and chief marketing officer at Kennametal.

The spindle connection, the interface between the machine tool’s spindle and toolholder, has to provide the torque and bending load capacity compatible with machine-tool specifications.

“In most cases, the tool-spindle connection determines how much material can be removed on a given operation,” says Doug Ewald, director, global product management, tooling systems at Kennametal. “This is because this interface must withstand high loads and yet maintain its rigidity. With the ongoing advances in cutting tools and machining centers, a spindle connection that makes the best utilization of available power possible is an important consideration to investigate early in production planning.” www.kennametal.com, www.haimer-usa.com