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Purchasing Agents Must Know What They Are Buying Bob Mueller (“What Does It Take to
Be a Good Buyer?” September/October 2009) and his anonymous respondent (“Letterbox,” November/December 2009) are on the right track. Having worked through much of an
OEM’s departments, I believe knowl- edge of the casting buyer’s company’s need is more important than meets the eye. While in the sales department, I
I read the article “Buy Foreign Be-
cause It’s Easier” (September/October 2009 editorial) as I was preparing for my manufacturing processes class at Milwaukee Area Technical College. I have about 35 potential designers learning how the major manufacturing processes work. When they graduate, they will be able to produce 3-D files that can be easily e-mailed to the low- est bidder anywhere in the world. I
have dealt with numerous purchasing agents. Most are only looking at the bottom line, without consideration for what they really need and are buying. An example I recall was a processing
system selling for about $25 million. The package required a lubricating system complete with a pump. We included the lubricating system for $5,000; the competitor didn’t. The customer bought
plan on making sure they understand metalcasting and the importance of keeping U.S. manufacturing strong. I usually end my lecture with a slide
showing information on foreign cast- ing suppliers. We discuss the pros and cons of buying offshore. I also offer my students links to industry websites and have them study online casting tutorials. The editorial topic hit me for several reasons. One, I show a manhole cover
the competitor’s proposal because we were $5,000 higher. But before they could run the $2 million machine at the heart of the process, they had to add the lube system to the tune of $10,000. Buyers, do your homework. Things aren’t always what they seem. JACK R. JONES
FIELD SALES REPRESENTATIVE FLEETWOOD INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS Manufacturing Students Learn Metalcasting, Economic Lessons
by Neenah Foundry, Neenah, Wis., to start my presentation (along with several other Midwest metalcasting products). Also, several of my students have lost jobs in manufacturing due to foreign competition. Finally, I used to work at a local steel metalcasting facil- ity as chief metallurgist until I was laid off in 1982. The plant closed in 1983. TOM ROBERTS
MILWAUKEE AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE
16 Metal Casting Design & PurChasing
January/February 2010
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