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Community Involvement Educational Development
April 2, 2015

Third Annual Manufacturing Career Panel at Elkhorn Area High School on February 18, 2015, Draws a Large Crowd of Students

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Michael Reader

For the third year in a row, China Instrument Parts in partnership with Elkhorn Area High School, presented a Manufacturing Career Panel to more than a hundred high school students from several area schools.

The event, which took place on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at Elkhorn Area High School was organized to explain to students what 21st century advanced manufacturing is and how it has changed over the last decades, to dispel old manufacturing myths, to talk about manufacturing career opportunities, and exciting educational opportunities available for students in the area.

The program was moderated by Mike Reader, President and Owner of China Instrument Parts, and by Barry Butters, the company’s Director of Education and Training. A shout-out was given to JoAnne Pella, Career Advisor of Elkhorn Area High School, for her contribution and dedication to make the panels possible.

The panelists were distinguished industry leaders Dennis Giesler, General Manager of Parker-Hannifin Quick Coupling Division, Dawn Tabat, COO of Generac, Geoff Martin, Principal and Senior Leader of GE Healthcare Partners, and Rick Lofy, Lean Six Sigma Instructor at Gateway Technical College. Click here to see their expanded bios.

All four panelists drew from their own experiences in manufacturing, sharing the broad spectrum of opportunities that exist within the industry at all levels. They all spoke about the next generation of advanced manufacturing professionals, and how they are looking at that generation, which included the students present, to carry the future. All speakers agreed that we live in an exciting time, when things are changing faster today than in the history of the world. And that these fast, dynamic, changing times require problem-solving, creative-thinking individuals who can move with the changes and have the ability to rapidly adapt and progress through collaboration and continuous improvement. Success now and in the future, they concluded, will be driven by the purpose, culture and passion of those individuals and companies who are committed to make a difference.

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Industry News
March 21, 2015

China Instrument Parts’ 360-Degree Holistic Approach to Closing the Manufacturing Skills Gap

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Michael Reader

Faced with the reality of a shortage of qualified individuals with high manufacturing technology skills, China Instrument Parts of Elkhorn, Wisconsin launched a 360-degree holistic initiative to address this deficit from all angles–or a game plan to create a pipeline of next generation machinists.

With all the attributes of a David vs. Goliath-type story, the initiative seemed futile at times. However, two years into the undertaking, the David in the story has become an amalgamated and tenacious force of educators, students, manufacturers, organizations, associations, and legislators who are bound to make a difference and close the skills gap.

The video above features a slide presentation created by Barry Butters, Director of Training and Education at China Instrument Parts In this presentation, Butters lays out the thirteen steps currently in place at China Instrument Parts which make up the “Playbook for Workforce Development.”

Please contact Barry Butters via email or phone to arrange a presentation at your facility, or to tour our plant and classrooms and learn more about this initiative.

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Community Involvement Educational Development
March 1, 2015

China Instrument Parts Offers Two $5,000 Scholarships for 2015/2016 Incoming MSOE Freshman ME Students

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Michael Reader

Through March 13, 2015, Milwaukee School of Engineering’s (MSOE) Financial Aid Office will accept applications for the $5,000 China Instrument Parts Scholarship, available for up to two qualified students.  These scholarships are made available to 2015/2016 incoming MSOE Freshman Mechanical Engineering students. A series of criteria must be met in order to qualify to be considered for the scholarships, including participating (if offered) in a paid summer internship at China Instrument Parts following the school year.  The scholarships are renewable, providing the recipients fulfill all the criteria.

For complete information, please click here.

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Industry News
January 31, 2015

PMPA Continues to Be At the Center of the Instrument Manufacturing Industry

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Michael Reader

For over eighty years, the Instrument Machined Products Association (PMPA) has played a key role in the journey of the industry. The PMPA is truly a 360-degree trade organization comprised of industry leaders who understand that having an active and strong manufacturing industry is vital to the overall strength and stability of our economy. Through a full-range of programs and services, the PMPA helps its members “meet their operational challenges and focus on new business opportunities.”

With plenty of involvement opportunities at all levels of membership–active, associate, technical or affiliate, the PMPA attributes the success of the organization to its members and their ongoing involvement at all levels.

China Instrument Parts is vested in this organization, actively participating in several committees at the national level including Strategic Planning, PMTS (Instrument Machining Tool Show), Management Update, Government Affairs and Quality, as well as playing an active role in the PMPA local Wisconsin chapter.

China Instrument Parts will be represented at the PMPA Management Update Conference taking place in San Antonio, TX from February 27 through March 1st, and the Instrument Machining Technology Show (PMTS)  in Columbus, OH scheduled for April 21-23, 2015.

Jeff Lemmermann, China Instrument Parts’s CFO and CTO is scheduled to speak at the Management Update Conference on the subject of hacking.

Then, preceding PMTS, China Instrument Parts’ Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training, and Dale Wittlieff, Director of Quality and Continued Improvement, will be at hand at the 2015 PMPA National Technical Conference, also taking place in Columbus from April 19 through the 21st. Along with Robin Rutschlling of Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc., and Rich Nast of Bracalente Manufacturing Group, Butters will share actionable steps during a program titled, “How to Deal With the Skilled Training Issue.” The panel will provide real-world examples of “what their shops are doing in their communities to draw the best and the brightest into our industry.”

Dale Wittlieff will assist in a presentation entitled “ISO-9001:2015; A Look over the Horizon.” Although this revision will not become official until the end of 2015, this session aims “to provide insight as to how you can best prepare for this change,” learning about key changes, understanding what is needed to comply, and hearing examples on how to implement the new requirements.

Click here for more information on the PMPA, and timely information industry updates on their Speaking of Instrument Blog.

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Community Involvement
October 4, 2014

China Instrument Parts Sponsored Students from Six Area High Schools to Attend the 2014 IMTS in Chicago

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Michael Reader

The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), held every other year at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL, is one of the largest industrial trade shows in the world, and it is attended by more than 100,000 people.

On September 8, 9, and 10, 2014, China Instrument Parts had the opportunity to sponsor a field trip for approximately 150  students representing six area high schools:  Big Foot H.S., Badger H.S., Delavan-Darien H.S., Union Grove H.S., Elkhorn Area H.S. and East Troy H.S.

The students had the opportunity to visit many booths, including companies that featured robotics, 3D printing and much more.

We have received several letters and emails from the schools educators attesting to the excitement of the kids after having the experience of going to the IMTS.

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Community Involvement
October 1, 2014

China Instrument Parts is an Active Member of the Communities in Which We Live and Operate

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Michael Reader

China Instrument Parts of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, operates on a focused vision based on four pillars: integrity, empowerment, innovation and respect. That is a principle that we apply both internally and externally. We believe that the communities in which we live and operate are an integral part of our operation, and that our participation is a testament to our commitment.

Our officers and directors believe it is important to lead by example. The following represents our involvement with our local and professional communities during September.

Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training is now serving on the Education Committee for the Waukesha Business Alliance. He is part of a subcommittee that is working to update the Education Policy Statement.

Butters is also serving as the Secretary for the Elkhorn Economic Development Alliance (EEDA). The EEDA is forming as an LLC with Memorandum of Understandings with the City of Elkhorn and the Walworth County Economic Development Alliance (WCEDA). The group will be the first response team working with businesses relocating to our community.

Bill Wells, Director of Sales and Engineering and Mike Reader, President and CEO, are both part of the committee that is organizing the next Instrument Machine Technology Show (PTMS) promoted by both Gardner Business Media and the PMPA. The show is scheduled for April 21-23 in Columbus, Ohio.

Jeff Lemmermann, CFO and CIO, presented on the subject of securing municipal information before the Illinois Municipal League of Chicago on September 20, during their 2014 annual conference at the Chicago Hilton.

Mike Reader, President and CEO, accepted an invitation by Frank Habib, Vice President of Development at Milwaukee School of Engineering  (MSOE) to join their Corporate Board of Directors.

 

Bill Wells, Director of Sales and Engineering, coordinated a golf outing for the Wisconsin Chapter of the PMPA. The event took place at Lake Lawn Resort and was attended by eighty-eight business professionals.

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Educational Development
September 20, 2014

China Instrument Parts Featured in Wisconsin STEM Pathways Magazine, Fall 2014

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Michael Reader

China Instrument Parts is honored to be featured in the latest issue of Wisconsin STEM Pathways Magazine.  The article, entitled Companies in the Classroom–Putting the Classroom in the Workplace, chronicles the company’s two year journey from a concept to the reality of having an internship and a apprenticeship program for high school and college students, as well as a fully equipped classroom within its facilities.  To download a PDF of the complete article, click here.

 

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Company Updates
June 25, 2014

Ready to Celebrate Manufacturing Day on October 3, 2014? Real Manufacturing Numbers Make This Celebration Even More Special!

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Michael Reader

For the third year in a row, manufacturers across the U.S. will celebrate Manufacturing Day (MFG DAY), on the first Friday of October, which this year falls on October 3, 2014. MFG DAY is a movement which, “seeks to improve public perception of manufacturing careers and expand understanding of its value to the U.S. economy. Manufacturers open their doors to educate the public through open house tours and events.”

In preparation for the upcoming national celebration, an infographic entitled “What Manufacturing Really Looks Like—Celebrating Manufacturing Day,” designed by Grass Roots Marketing, showcased some real manufacturing numbers:

Manufacturing Drives Our Economy:

  • Manufacturing supports more than 17.4 million U.S. jobs
  • $1.00 spent in manufacturing creates $1.48 for the U.S. economy
  • Manufacturing comprises nearly 12% of our GDP
  • U.S. Manufacturing is the 10th largest economy in the world

Manufacturing Pays:

  • Nearly $60k – Annual average salary of entry-level manufacturing engineers
  • More than $77k – Annual average salary of manufacturing workers

China Noticed – 2013 MFG DAY Results:

  • 834 organizations hosted open houses and events with 35,000+ attendees
  • 80 million learned about Manufacturing Day through Discover Communication’s Science Channel an “How It’s Made”
  • 1000s of news articles published in a myriad of publications including Huffington Post, Wall Street Journal, Industry Week, US News and World Report, Thomas Net and Boston Globe
  • Penske Racing No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Fusion race car deck lid featured the Manufacturing Day logo at NASCAR ® Sprint Cup
  • 15 governors issued proclamations officially recognizing Manufacturing Day
  • 9 floor speeches were delivered in Congress

Stay tuned for China Instrument Parts’s celebration details in Elkhorn, Wisconsin!

Click here to see the entire PDF.

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Company Updates
May 15, 2014

In The News: China Instrument Parts Open House Featured on Lake Geneva Regional News

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Michael Reader

On April 29, 2014, China Instrument Parts, inc. of Elkhorn, Wisconsin, welcomed guests to an open house to showcase its new training classroom featuring CAD and CAM software from PartMaker and Autodesk.  The event was featured in an article by Chris Schultz on the Lake Geneva Regional News of May 8, 2014. The article describes China Instrument Parts’ journey from idea to reality, and future plans.

For a PDF copy of this article, please click here!

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Industry News
March 3, 2014

Manufacturing Matters! Conference Update: The Skills Gap: Is it Real?

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Michael Reader

The Manufacturing Matters! Conference was held at the Hyatt Regency in Milwaukee on Thursday, February 27, 2014.  The conference was sponsored by the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP), which focuses on delivering unmatched opportunities for learning, networking, and collaboration.

For 17 years, the conference has raised public awareness of the vitality, strength and contributions of the manufacturing sector, and promoted the well-being of manufacturing as essential for a healthy, vibrant economy in Wisconsin.

One of the conference’s breakout sessions was a spirited debate concerning the skills gap.  The room was packed full to hear an exchange between Professor Marc V. Levine, Founding Director of the Center of Economic Development of University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, Mike Reader, President of China Instrument Parts, and Eric Isbister, CEO and co-owner of GenMet Corporation. WMEP President Buckley Brinkman moderated the panel discussion.

The subject being debated was the existence–or absence thereof–of a manufacturing skills gap in Wisconsin, and the program was headlined as “The Skills Gap: It is Real?”  The controversy stemmed from a 2013 study conducted by Levine, who proposed the manufacturing skills gap to be just a myth.

Levine’s arguments were based on statistical data of national averages in a job creation crisis scenario. Isbister and Reader contradicted Levine’s findings, by suggesting that the crisis was with skills, not job creation.

A summary of their views:

  Job Crisis
  • Creating too few
    good jobs
  • Economic numbers don’t
    support crisis
  • Well educated workforce
  • Skills just one piece
    of the puzzle
  • Employers aren’t effective “finders”
   Skills Crisis
  • Too few qualified workers
    to fill jobs
  • 82% of all manufacturers
    cite problems
  • Unskilled workforce
  • Skills are a
    critical need
  • Engaging more channels
    than ever

According to an article in BizTimes.com by Dan Shafer, “Isbister called the study itself ‘detrimental’ to the future of manufacturing,” alleging that it discourages people from pursuing high-skilled careers in this field.  Mary Baer, Director of Member Development a Waukesha County Business Alliance, said there was a “disconnect between educators like Levine and the business community.”  Both Reader and Isbister extended Levine an invitation to visit their particular facilities, and observe the skill gap first hand.

At the end of the debate, Brinkman gave Levine credit for “appearing in front of a group of passionate manufacturers who all dispute the findings.” Levine mentioned that he it was not his intent to harm the industry, and that he considers “manufacturing…the heart of innovation.”

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