Metal Finisher and Supplier Invest in Training
It is sometimes thought that the best way to train manufacturing employees is to shut down production and spend several hours reviewing practices, equipment, and responsibilities. Actually doing this, bringing a department or a company to a halt, is expensive, impacts customer deliveries, and the return on investment is difficult to measure. And of course there is always the fear that the audience will respond poorly, adding insult to the financial injury and discouraging further efforts at advancement.
For a supplier, bringing in experts from other regions can be risky as well. Will the training be received well? Is the customer truly vested in change and progress or just trying to check off a box on an audit list under "Training"?
In the case of a recent joint effort by FM Callahan, a metal finisher located in Malden, MA and MacDermid, Inc., a worldwide supplier of metal finishing chemicals, none of the fears were realized and many benefits were gained.
Eric Jacklin, President of FM Callahan, recently made the investment in his employees by bringing in MacDermid representatives to present an extensive technical training program. For 4 hours, 20 employees went to school in a nearby function hall and viewed an informative, interactive presentation conducted by four representatives from MacDermid. With much participation and questions; employees discussed not only the theory and procedural steps in the process, but the real world, hands on aspects of producing successfully plated products. The full participation on the part of the employees was clear evidence of the success of the program.
Working with local MacDermid representatives Fran DiGiovanni and Marko Duffy; Jacklin requested a program designed specifically to assist his electroless nickel plating area. This NADCAP Accredited metal finisher wanted to address the high cost of materials, the difficulty in reworking, and the necessary speed in delivering to key customers. "This area is under constant pressure to be better, faster, and more competitive every day" said Jacklin.
In order to best meet this need, and provide a perspective reflecting the world wide economy in which we now compete in, MacDermid brought in John Szczypka, Global Specialist from MacDermid's Engineered Coatings Group and Greg Terrell, Marketing Director for the Engineered Coatings Group. The experience and perspective of these gentlemen, with their knowledge and passion for the industry combined with the technical expertise outlined in the presentation led to a focused and well received presentation. With participation from DiGiovanni and Duffy, two representatives with over 60 years of combined hands on experience in metal finishing in New England, the reality combined with the science to hit home with the audience.
MacDermid, with a large presence in the US and Canada has a company philosophy of innovation and support. With a large technical service and sales force in the field, MacDermid is able to bring new products and solutions to many metal finishers while being available to support and develop their use. Becoming an integral part of the technical staff of their customers, MacDermid lends its resources to assisting all their customers to meet their goals. Training classes such as these are just a part of the support services MacDermid brings. For more information please contact Marko Duffy at (508)904-8899 or mduffy@macdermid.com
FM Callahan offers a variety of finishes and services to aircraft, medical, electronic and commercial customers. The wide array of coatings offered includes electroless nickel, anodizing, zinc, tin, and alloy coatings. With masking, marking, and assembly services as well, FM Callahan provides a well rounded source to it's customers seeking single source capabilities. For more information; contact Eric Jacklin by phone at (781)324-5101 or via e-mail at ejacklin@fmcallahan.com . Visit the company website at: www.fmcallahan.com.
