On Pressing the Reset Button

Happy New Year. Some people regard January as a time of renewal — a time to set new goals, to address a list of resolutions and to course correct. Personally, I am often reminded of playing Super Mario Bros on an old school Nintendo back when I was a teenager and pressing the reset button after running through a level and knowing it could have been better. I knew all the pitfalls and where all the missed rewards were. Surely, after a reset, there would be a better run.

To a certain degree, we can all try to hit that reset button — but in reality, life just isn’t like that. Our life, our work is full of missteps and course corrections as we go. Trying restart can put you back at the same spot over and over again. A healthier approach is to understand that progress often looks messy. Whenever my kid undertakes one of her elaborate craft projects (which is just about every evening), the dining room table is an absolute disaster. We have to move stacks of paper, magic markers and bags of glitter, buttons and baubles just to find a spot to eat dinner. But, hey, she’s making something.

As we all look to the new year, I urge you to embrace the messes — the mistakes, the moments of chaos and clutter. It’s all something to learn from and is part of the process. Take things apart and put them back together. Blow it up and rebuild it. Make some messes. Rethink the way you do things. To that end, here are a few exciting initiatives that have been percolating at Products Finishing and Gardner Business Media.

Where manufacturing intersects

We’re working on some cross collaboration between brands — to tell some stories about where various areas of manufacturing intersect. I’m excited to feature one such story in the January issue of PF. In April of last year, my colleague Stephanie Hendrixson, executive editor at Additive Manufacturing Media, and I visited RePliForm, a Baltimore-area company that specializes in the electroplating of 3D printed parts. Plating on plastics is not a new concept for finishers — chrome finishes on plastic parts can be found on everything from automotive grills to plumbing fixtures to electronics, offering a decorative and protective coating. RePliForm’s approach is different. In addition to providing aesthetics, the company uses nickel or copper plating to enhance the structural properties of additively manufactured parts. Check out Stephanie’s story about RePliForm’s operation. I anticipate that this is the first of many of these kinds of collaborations where we explore how various coatings are helping to enable emerging applications and alternative substrates.

Top Shops Survey Opens in February

GBM’s Top Shops Benchmarking Surveys take place annually. The program is a great way to assess your business and set new goals. Launched in 2015, PF’s Top Shops program is designed to aid finishers in improving shop floor practices and taking business operations to the next level. Each year, hundreds of shops participate in the benchmarking survey, resulting in a wealth of data and statistics. Participants receive customized reports to help them assess areas of improvement in all areas, from equipment and capital investments to process efficiencies to business strategy and human resources.

Each year Gardner Intelligence, the research division of GBM, rolls up its sleeves and reworks the Top Shops Survey process, implementing lessons learned from the previous year. The team has invested in new software to help process the surveys in a more expedient manner. To make the survey a bit more accessible, we’ve reassessed the survey questions and trimmed down the number of core questions. We hope you’ll take advantage of the opportunity to use this tool to identify areas of improvement for your business.

An additional benefit of the Top Shops program includes recognition in our Top Shops Awards. Qualifying shops are recognized via PF’s media channels and at finishing industry events. In addition, PF’s Top Shops Insider column profiles one qualifying shop in each issue. Check out this month’s featured Top Shop, Plateco Inc. of Reedsburg, Wisconsin.

National Surface Finishing Day

Speaking of recognition, don’t miss out on this year’s National Surface Finishing Day. Each NSFD, Products Finishing partners with thousands of finishing operations in the U.S. to bring further awareness to the important roles plating and coating facilities play in their communities. NSFD is designed to celebrate and showcase our industry to trade schools, businesses, officials and media, as well as to show appreciation to employees and staff. NSFD will be held on March 6, 2024 — let us know how you’re celebrating. Post your story, share photos and tell the world about the important work you do. Remember to use the hashtag #NationalSurfaceFinishingDay or #NSFD.

On behalf of everyone at PF, I wish you much success in 2024!