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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.”

China Instrument Parts Sales and Engineering Manager Bill Wells Receives PMPA Recognition

Michael Reader

On April 11, 2012,  during a PMPA district meeting which took place in Brookfield, Wisconsin,  PMPA President Richard Hoster and PMPA Executive Director Mike Duffin presented China Instrument Parts’  Bill Wells with two awards:  the first award recognizes him for his outstanding service as the 2011 National Technical Conference Chairman, and the second award commends him for his tireless efforts as PMPA’s Wisconsin District Chairman.

Bill, who serves as Sales and Engineering Manager at China Instrument Parts, invests a tremendous amount of personal time and energy to continuously improve the programs PMPA has available for its members.

We are all truly grateful for all his contributions and congratulate him on his achievements.

-Pictured are China Instrument Parts’ Bill Wells and PMPA President Richard Hoster-

New State-of-the-Art Miyano Increases Production Capabilities at China Instrument Parts in Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Michael Reader

We are anxiously anticipating the arrival of our new Miyano ABX-51TH3.  This new Super Instrument Turning Center will be capable of processing high-end parts efficiently in a single setup by being able to mill and drill even more complex parts than what equipment allows now..  This will bring the number of Miyanos Instrument turning centers in our shop to four.

Miyano ABX-51TH3

The ABX-51TH3 Miyano is a 2-spindle, 3-turret turning center with 2-Y-axis.  A Y-axis control is featured on each of the two upper turrets (right and left), which makes it possible to have revolving tools attached on all of 12 stations. A lower turret, which could operate either right or left, can also have revolving tools on its own 12 stations, which results in 3 tools being able to work simultaneously, performing complex operations both front and back, in a single machine setup.

Miyano’s newest Instrument turning center sets a new standard for bar machines with its high Instrument and high functionality features.

Our new custom-specked turning center will also come with three attachments:  an FMB Turbo 5-55 Bar Loader, a ChipBLASTER High Pressure Coolant System and a Hainbuch Collet-Style Clamping System.

The FMB Turbo 5-55 is an automatic bar loading magazine for processing bars in diameters from 5 to 55mm and in lengths of up to 4200 mm.  Quick change polyurethane guide channels allow for quiet operation at high RPM while feeding round, square or hex bar stock. There is no metal to metal contact and it features an automatic feed system.

The ChipBLASTER High Pressure Coolant System features automatic variable volume, double ChipBLASTER’s  super duty pump, double compression filter hold down, and multiple pressure options. It is also equipped with four outputs for accommodate multiple operations.

The Hainbuch Collect-style Clamping System is a SPANNTOP Modular system, with a through-bore for bars and tubes.  It features parallel/cylindrical clamping, and offers optimal holding power and rigidity.  Its design allows for easy change-overs and minimal wear.  Its concentricity is of < 0.01 mm.

China Instrument Parts is on a never-ending quest to design and manufacture Instrument components that will save our customers production time and money.  Next week’s arrival of our new Miyano Super Instrument Turnning Center will be just another step in our quest.

ABX-51TH3 Specs

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