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Getting Better All The Time
Since our last issue I have traveled from coast to coast attending and exhibiting at a variety of trade shows, conventions and conferences. They targeted wood workers and plastics fabricators, shapes distributors, thermoformers and the P.O.P. industry. Reports from the trenches are getting better - some are even seeing record years - while others still feel we have a long way to go.
Overall however, there was a common thread of optimism. Many of the manufacturers, suppliers and fabricators I spoke with feel that worst is behind us and that 2004 finally will deliver on the promise of economic recovery. This reminds me of a plaque I saw at a military base when I was a young; “Either lead, follow or get out of the way.” The inference for the military is obvious but the saying also holds true for many aspects of the business world and life. If you are not leading, you are following and eventually you will be pushed out of the way by your competitors. The charge then is to lead by finding new markets, new materials and new services to offer your customers. China. Have you lost business to the Chinese? >From machinery and material suppliers to fabricators, I have also heard a lot of comments about loosing business to China. I am interested in your feedback. Have you lost business to China? Do you have advice for others who are competing with Chinese bids for fabricating jobs? We are living in a world that has evolved to a global economy. The question is how do we in the plastic shapes manufacturing, distribution and fabrication industries compete more effectively with international competition? If you have a story to share, comments, thoughts or advice regarding competing in our global economy, E-mail them to me at dwhelan@plasticsmag.com. Lean. Quick Response. You know what they mean but are you using these techniques to streamline your business? Any business can cut expenses but that does not always solve problems, it often creates them. Lean Manufacturing and Quick Response Manufacturing force you to look at your business differently and tap into the resources you have, primarily your employees, and to take a closer look at your customers’ purchase behavior. In addition to the features listed below, our November/December issue will take a closer look at these approaches to making your business more successful. Good luck out there. It is getting better but you have to lead the way. Enjoy the issue.
David Whelan
Editor / Publisher
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