Published 3/13/2020

Connecting on the Next Level to Keep Manufacturing Moving

It’s always been about community and connection for me when it comes to MoldMaking Technology, but this has taken on a whole new meaning with the current state of affairs. However, I see opportunity—and a chance for us to provide more value to the industry.

Christina Fuges

Editorial Director, MoldMaking Technology

Without getting into the nitty-gritty details, I believe we can all agree that the impact the COVID-19 (coronavirus) is having on the manufacturing supply chain is growing a bit intense lately. Various shops have reached out to me online, on the phone and via social media asking how they can be connected with manufacturers looking for North American mold builders to keep manufacturing moving, and OEMs have also reached out looking for mold builders and molders to take on some projects.

This got us thinking. We have the audience (community) comprising all links in the supply chain, so we just need to find a way to bring them all together (connection) if and when projects, capabilities and timelines align. We want to help!

Over the years Amerimold has started to attract molders and OEMs seeking mold builders. Some want to expand their tooling supply base and others want new blood. We discovered we were connecting the community naturally so we decided last year to make it formal, hence the Amerimold Sourcing Fair.

Fast forward a year later and the need for more and better suppliers has escalated, and we can help! First, we are bringing back our Amerimold Sourcing Fair this June 10 & 11 in Novi, Michigan. Today OEMs, molders and mold builders can participate for FREE. Find out more and sign up here: https://www.amerimoldexpo.com/sourcingfair.html

Due to more immediate sourcing demands, we are working on a virtual sourcing fair of sorts to help companies with more immediate sourcing needs to keep manufacturing moving.

We want to be a resource that connects the supply chain – manufacturers (OEMs) looking for service suppliers and service suppliers (mold builders and molders) with capacity and capabilities looking to take on more work.

Sourcing Resource

For example, just last week a consumer goods OEM approached us with the need for a moldmaker or injection molder who can be a production partner on 8-10 molds depending on components and molds; and, 250,000 to 2 million injection molded units / SKU for a plastics toy project.

If you are interested in submitting a quote for moldmaking and/or injection molding please review the brief project form and complete and submit the contact form.

This Sourcing Opportunity Brought to You By:
Amerimold / MoldMaking Technology / Plastics Technology

Mold Builder Shares Coronavirus Impact and Its Plans to Keep Manufacturing Moving

MMT: Has your business experienced any changes due to the Coronavirus?

Mike Stiles, CEO of R&D/Leverage: Our business no, but we are hearing from some of our convertor customers that parts availability – specifically injection molded parts previously sourced from China – have been subjected to supply-chain breaks.

MMT: Has your business made any adjustments due to the Coronavirus?

Stiles: Most of the changes we have made are customer-driven. We haven’t reduced or restricted travel, but we are having customers cancel previously scheduled visits due to their own restrictions of outside visitors.

No related impact to our staffing/headcount, supply chain (virtually 100% domestic), lead time (unless we get busier due to on-shoring of previously off-shore projects).

We have withdrawn from an upcoming European trade show (Interpack) due to feedback from customers and prospects who have already declared they will not attend. No current impact on recruiting/hiring unless related uptick in future business requires accelerated hiring to meet demands.

Nothing yet in marketing other than consideration of making some currently open press-time available for short-term production of injection molded parts to fill the gaps for a convertor or brand-owner that needs a bridge-plan while working through long-term solutions.

**MMT: What are you hearing from your customers?**

Stiles: Some tooling projects that were previously slated for off-shore manufacturing are being pulled-back for domestic production regardless of increased costs. Some of these projects have been already stated in China and are being canceled and re-started here in the U.S. because of both uncertainties of supply and risk of travel for project managers to an area where health and wellness become a concern.

MMT: How is R&D Leverage prepared to help its customers or other manufacturers to keep things going, as this virus continues to disrupt manufacturing across the globe? How can or is R&D Leverage helping?

Stiles: We are not, and have no intention of becoming production injection molders. However, we do have a variety of injection molding presses which we use for validation of new molds we design and build. Currently, these machines are utilized at less than 15% in support of our tooling operations. In some instances, we could make some press time available to fill-the-gap for someone who is actively seeking a long-term solution but who needs parts in a reasonable interim period.

MMT: Moving forward, what is your single biggest concern related to the Coronavirus?

Stiles: Currently the biggest concern is the roller-coaster reaction in the stock markets and the impact that singular issue might have on business investments. No panic from us yet, but we all know that this issue can be a barometer for future business activity.

Our hopes are that U.S. health officials work diligently to contain outbreaks to small isolated areas in order to reduce the opportunity for a larger global impact.