Scenes from Amerimold 2018, Part 3—Leadtime Leader, Networking and Fun!

Before launching the annual networking party, everyone gathers to celebrate 20 years of MoldMaking Technology and then MMT’s Editorial Director Christina Fuges introduces the 2018 Leadtime Leader winner, Maximum Mold Group, at the annual ceremony.

And our 2018 Leadtime Leader Winner is: Maximum Mold Group of Benton Harbor MI. If you weren’t there, you can watch the ceremony via FacebookLive.

Maximum Mold Group comprises Maximum Mold, Max 2 and Max 3. Overall, the group specializes in project management and injection mold and die-cast die manufacturing. The group achieves average on-time deliveries of 95 to 98 percent and lead times from six to eight weeks for small molds and 25 to 30 weeks for multiple, complex molds. Maximum accomplishes this by capitalizing on the skills and experience of 83 employees across the three facilities.

The standout items that stole the win for Maximum Mold Group include the growth of a small mold builder into one business group, a team and family environment, shorter lead times from the increased capacity of the business group and increased in-house design and engineering capacity. Standout items also include investment in high-speed machining centers, investment in technology and manufacturing efficiency, commitment to international travel to work with customers, diversification, service, workforce development efforts and a sales team comprising all journeyman moldmakers.

Dave LaGrow leads this winning team, but he made sure to give most of the credit to his team on the night of the ceremony. According LaGrow, the people are what push this company forward, helping it winning this year’s award. “Every good shop has a good team, and Maximum Mold Group has a good team. We are a family, and we treat each other accordingly. Team members say that I run a family-owned business. I take pride in that. I believe it takes more than the owner to run a business that is family-oriented. It’s all the people who work for the company and how they treat each other.” Here Glenn and Don Starkey of Progressive Components, who continue to sponsor the Leadtime Leader competition, pose with MMT’s Christina Fuges and Cyndi Kustush after presenting Maximum Mold Group with its award.

The 80s are back, and it’s totally rad! What a blast as Amerimold shed its casino night-themed networking event for a party that took guests back to the decade of Michael Jackson, Pac-Man, parachute pants, Miami Vice and much more.

Older and younger Amerimold attendees alike took advantage of the opportunity to enjoy lots of 1980s-themed games like Foosball during the networking party. Festivities also included an 80s trivia contest with prizes.

More foosball competition—this time competitors are stylin’ with their 80s style shades, of course!

Companies and colleagues got their 80s on in the photo booth, donning 80s garb and props and posing for the cover of MMT!

Moldmakers hamming it up during the “Totally 80s” networking party crowd into the photo booth for a fun souvenir!

A variety of tasty appetizers and beverages were enjoyed during the networking part at Amerimold, too.

Guests at the Amerimold 2018 networking party couldn’t help but get into the groove of great 80s songs being played throughout the evening.

More boogying going down at Amerimold, 80s style!

A fun souvenir that is now a popular tradition at Amerimold, this annual novelty t-shirt hit the mark again with its wit-infused top 10 reasons to be a moldmaker:

10. You get to work on bigger cavities than a dentist.

9. You can talk about non-Newtonian fluids as if you're smart.

8. Injecting, packing and holding is not just for paramedics.

7. Being baffled and turbulent while keeping it cool is a good thing.

6. You can illustrate the difference between thermoset and thermoplastic at breakfast with pancakes and butter.

5. Core shift doesn't always mean that your values are off.

4. It’s a great way to vent constructively.

3. No matter how ridiculous your idea is, we'll mold it!

2. Because product designers need heroes too.

#1 You're famous! Everything you build at work makes it into the press!

This year’s Top 10 were submitted by Paul Mikac, Silgan Closures, Ralph Neufarth, iMFLUX, Stephen Sawdon, Wesco Services, Danny Scher, ICOMold and Sean Diamond, Ideal Mold Design. The number one was submitted by Paul Magro, Cavalier Tool & Manufactruing.