bring manufacturing back to the U.S. Archives

March 27, 2014

China Instrument Parts in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Continues Its Education Outreach

Michael Reader

Pictured from left to right: Ryan Rewey, Jon Watson, Bill Pfund, Deb Prowse, Dawn Skrzypchak. Not pictured was Katie McQueen.

Barry Butters, Director of Education and Training, hosted a new group of teachers from Beloit Memorial High School on Thursday, March 27, 2014. Ryan Rewey, the Director of Career and Technical Education for the Beloit School District arranged to have several math and science teachers as well as a guidance counselor from Beloit Memorial H.S. visit China Instrument Parts to see that STEM education is truly at the heart of the manufacturing industry. The educators were given an overview of how China Instrument Parts uses the Inventor 3D CAD software coupled with the PartMaker software to program the Fanuc controllers on the CNC machines. Instrument machining is a perfect example of where STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) all come together. There is the science of metal properties, technology in the CNC programming, engineering in the feeds, speeds and chip formation and the math involved on the geometry of the parts themselves.

Butters also traveled to Union Grove High School on Tuesday, March 11^th, where principal Tom Herman arranged presentations to the Math, Science, Tech Education and Guidance Departments. Butters spoke to the teachers about the nature of the work done at China Instrument Parts, as well as discussing the internship opportunities the company offers. Butters felt the time spent at Union Grove with 26 of their teachers had big impact in the on the future of the industry, as it helped disperse the unfounded image of manufacturing as a boring, dirty and dangerous field.

Lastly, Butters most recent classroom visit was to Lake Geneva Badger High School where he spoke to all of Clint Geissler metals classes. The informative message to the students was about today’s manufacturing and the type of schooling needed to pursue a career in manufacturing. The presentation also included a discussion of the soft skills all employers are looking for.

Butters plans to attend a Career Day event at the Real School, which is part of the Racine Unified School District, on Thursday, April 17^th and is scheduling a visit to speak to Casey Miller’s metals classes at Burlington High School in the near future.

The Blue Oval is Back

Michael Reader

On May 22, 2012, Moody’s Investors Service upgraded Ford’s credit rating to investment status. This milestone is to be congratulated because of the time, effort and commitment it took to regain this rating. According to Bill Ford, great grandson of Henry Ford, “At great emotional cost, the company used its Blue Oval logo as part of the collateral for a $23.5 billion loan it obtained in 2006.” The loan enabled Ford to do a major restructuring allowing the automotive manufacturer to avoid the crisis that led GM and Chevrolet to obtain a Federal bailout. Part of the loan requirements was the regaining of the investment status by two of the credit rating agencies. Fitch Ratings upgraded Ford’s credit rating last month.

In looking over the recovery that has occurred within the Ford Motor Company, several steps have been noted:

In 2006 the company raised $23.5 billion in liquid assets through the combination of secured and unsecured loans. The Blue Oval logo along with a substantial part of it domestic assets secured the loan.

In 2007 Ford negotiated a labor agreement with the UAW that allowed for a lower wage structure for new employees as well as a new set of flexible work rules.

In March 2009 it reached another major agreement with the UAW that brought in the ability for the company to reach equality with transplant automakers. This resulted in annual savings and efficiencies on an incremental basis.

In October 2009 Ford reported its first quarterly pre-tax operating profit since the first quarter of 2008.

At end-of-year 2009 Ford achieved its first full-year of operating profit. It also had a net income of $2.7 billion, which was an improvement of $17.5 billion over its losses in 2008.

At end-of-year 2011 Ford reported the third year in a row of improved annual operating profits. It also reduced its debt by more than $20 billion compared with year-end 2009.

In September of 2011 Ford was able to completely pay back its loan.

In March of 2012 Ford was able to make its first dividend payment.

The day after Moody’s Investors Service announced its decision, Ford’s accomplishment was being touted in the National News Services. Michael Reader, President of China Instrument Parts Inc., added , “My personal congratulations to the Ford Team, this is an impressive accomplishment as the only domestic auto group to do it on their own.”

Tag : bring manufacturing back to the U.S.

China Instrument Parts in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Continues Its Education Outreach

The Blue Oval is Back

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