Tool and Die a Critical Need
Posted by [email protected] on Apr. 30, 2025 / Subscribe 0
GHMA's mission is to support the small and medium discrete manufacturing in the greater Houston region. The realization that manufacturing is fundamental to jobs and economic growth is returning to the American public but there are still real issues that need to be overcome.
The biggest hurdle now is workforce development as we have missed a whole generation of people going into the trades and technical fields such as engineering. Automation with robots and A.I. software can only affect a small amount of what's needed. During GHMA’s member tour of Texas Injection Molding in April, it was noted that the dearth of tool and die shops necessitated sourcing their dies from China. When asked why they did not source in the US the answer was lead-time and quality. The shops that had the capability were stacked up with orders and could not respond in time for a small order from T.I.M. This is an acute need. If you’re a Houston tool and die maker that can help, let us know.
At the Texas Injection Molding tour, CEO Jeff Applegate also offered a quick introduction to their novel application of medical benefits for their employees, one that resulted in a 30 percent reduction in costs over their previous method. Medical expenses are a major cost in manufacturing. The members that attended were not in the injection molding business – but all have employees to serve. We can connect you with the provider to benchmark your business if you like. Let us know. Proof of success with Texas Injection Molding’s approach? They were awarded one of the "Best Places to Work" in one industry poll.
I first met Jeff over twenty years ago when we both served on UH's Engineering Advisory Board. It’s been rewarding for me to see how Jeff has grown his business as a true "Servant Leader" and is willing to share what works for his business.
Thirty years ago when I first met Harry Moser, he was was President of Charmilles Technology Corp., which made EDM (Electrical Discharge Machines) used in die and tooling production. We (Reed Tool Company) were looking to rebuild our die shop. At that time Harry was generating free of charge handouts to schools and parents; a chart showing the earning potential for a fast food person, a mechanical engineer and a tool and die craftsman. Even then the highest average pay was to the Tool and Die Craftsman per the US dept. of Labor. And like Jeff, Harry practiced what he preached as we would buy five of his machines. Not because they were the cheapest, but rather because of the knowledge of his customer service. Our tool room people voted for them as the people that came out were the experts we could go to for our service and expertise. In 2009 Harry retired and founded the Reshoring Initiative. Recently our Executive Director Bart Taylor spoke to Harry about how tariffs can be part of a reshoring solution.
GHMA is the manufacturing ecosystem connector! See you at our next event.
Wayne
Wayne Mausbach is President of the GHMA. Reach him at [email protected]
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