. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PurChasing POints
Support Casting-Wise Suppliers Bob Mueller Jr., P&H Mining Equipment, Milwaukee, Wisconsin D
uring my career in the met- alcasting industry, I worked with some seasoned veterans. These experienced individuals seemed to have the solution
for every possible situation that would come up. They could correctly trouble- shoot any quality problem, devise methods to cast the toughest compo- nents and develop cost improvement opportunities for their customers. I listened as these mentors provided me an education that cannot be replaced. I was one of the fortunate ones. Today, in my current role as a cast-
ing buyer, I have had the opportunity to visit metalcasters all over the U.S. Some of the facilities have their share of seasoned veterans providing guidance in all areas of their plants. In the past, when I traveled to my new suppliers, it was easy to identify these key players and the role they played in their facili- ties. I quickly aligned myself with these individuals to tap their knowledge and identify what they could offer to add value to our relationship. In many cases, these individuals were working as lone wolves with no one alongside them to learn their tricks of the trade. The population of these masters of the
art is declining every year, and the void they are creating is a concern for both their customers and the U.S. metalcasting industry as a whole. The domestic indus- try has the most experienced group of metalcasters in the world, but it is losing them faster than they are being replaced. As an OEM customer that makes a
significant number of casting purchases, this trend alarms me. Metalcasting facili- ties do not have the luxury of recruiting experienced employees right out of col- lege. Instead, they use green recruits that must be developed over years (if they stay that long). I see few employees working in the footprints of seasoned leaders or the metalcasting apprenticeship programs of the past. So what does this mean for buyers and
OEMs that have come to rely on these professionals? Casting buyers rely on met- alcasting facilities to not only produce cast components, but also to be their experts in casting metallurgy, engineering and qual-
January/February 2010 Metal Casting Design & PurChasing 45
ity. With the lack of casting-wise buyers in the marketplace today, these points are more important now then ever before. Metallurgists are counted on to provide their customers with experienced choices and alternatives to the material they are looking for in their components. This in- formation does not come from a book; it is developed through applied experiences and years of trials and testing. Customers also rely on metalcasting
engineers to develop pattern tooling and casting processes that provide new parts that are right the first time and existing parts that consistently meet specifications. They are the link to improving processes that can result in better products, made at reduced cost. Quality management is another area where customers depend on their casting suppliers to assure their cast products meet all specifications. Without these “seasoned” profession-
als on staff at your metalcasting facility of choice, your supplier-vendor relationship will struggle to provide any added value. These individuals are what help make a metalcasting facility world class. Take these seasoned professionals out of the operation, and your relationship will take a dramatic step backwards. As procurers of cast product, we must
ensure we support suppliers that are look- ing toward the future and utilizing their experienced professionals to mentor new employees. The veterans did not learn their trade over night, and neither will new em- ployees. The knowledge has been accumu- lated through years of experience, and that experience must be passed along to worthy individuals. It could even be you.METAL
Bob Mueller Jr. is casting procurement specialist for mining equipment produc- er P&H Mining Equipment, Milwaukee. He has 23 years of casting experience.
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