by tradesmeninsights | Oct 3, 2013 | Uncategorized
Today we have a post from Sonnhalter’s PR Engineer, Rachel Kerstetter.
I love to celebrate the random, weird holidays. It seems like every day is a celebration of something: National Hug Your Cat Day, International Tree Climbing Day, Corn on the Cob Day, World Toilet Day… and this list goes on.
Tomorrow, October 4, is National Manufacturing Day and is much more than just a day on a calendar. National Manufacturing Day is a team effort to change the perception of the industry.
Some manufacturers are hosting open houses and other events in order to give manufacturing a facelift and address the labor shortages in the industry and connect with a new generation.
2013 marks the second year of National Manufacturing Day being celebrated. Last year more than 240 events were held in manufacturing facilities in 37 states and more than 7,000 people participated. This movement is growing, and with more than 500 events scheduled for tomorrow, the doors are being opened.
October 4th is a great place to start, but changing the perception of the field is more than just one day. It requires getting involved with schools and communities, inviting them to see the career options in this industry.
A quick look at manufacturing:
Click to view more
You can visit mfgday.com to learn more.
by tradesmeninsights | Sep 5, 2013 | Uncategorized
Today’s post comes from Scott Bessell, Sonnhalter’s Idea Builder.
I was catching up with a friend who works in the printing industry and our conversation turned to the changes that we had seen in the industry. We discussed that the concept of craftsmanship in our industries, and others, seems to have vanished. Processes today still aim for the same end result, albeit with fanfare and accolades given for spending less time and using fewer resources.
That conversation got me thinking more about the state of the industry and its future. As the concepts of craftsmanship have diminished, how have we survived? How do some of us still produce excellent products and services that make happy customers?
The more I thought, the more I realized, that it’s not the processes or the craft itself that drives industry successes. It’s the talent of the people involved.
No matter how fast-paced our society becomes or how many hats people in industry need to wear, as long as you’ve put your talented people in the right roles, you’ll excel.
People still do great work and companies still produce excellent products with reduced staff sizes because of that talent. They obviously use different tools and techniques, but as human nature goes, they adapt, master and excel, driven by talent as the backbone for any endeavor.
In order to build the best team, take stock of who you have and what their talents are, then give them what they need to succeed. With the right people in place, finding ways to adapt to changing industries is possible.
The best toolmakers, architects, engineers, chemists, accountants, designers… are those who are very good at what they do–naturally. No matter how many times the tools and processes change along the way. There’s an overabundance of mediocrity in today’s workforce, but there are still craftsmen. I acknowledge–the talented ones.
by tradesmeninsights | Aug 29, 2013 | Uncategorized
As your week winds down, pencil in the time on Monday to relax because it’s Labor Day.
Have a happy Labor Day! We need to take time to say thanks to all the tradesmen that we come into contact with on a regular basis. What would we do without the electricians, plumbers, HVAC professionals? How would our factories run smoothly without all the MRO professionals out there?
Sonnhalter salutes America’s professional tradesmen and laborers on this very special holiday. Our working force built this country. And it’s because of each and every American’s labors that we enjoy the freedoms we have today.
At Sonnhalter, we earn our own living by marketing to professional tradesmen in industries like yours…from construction to industrial to MRO. To show our appreciation for such hard-working individuals, we offer a tip of the hardhat and our sincere thanks.
However you celebrate your Labor Day, enjoy it. You’ve certainly earned it
by tradesmeninsights | Aug 28, 2013 | Uncategorized
So October 4th is National Manufacturing Day and I ask the question, what are you going to do about it? The reason I ask is that I have yet to meet a manufacturer over the past several years who has not complained that there aren’t enough good people to hire for manufacturing jobs. Why not showcase in a positive light what you do?
Sometimes we can be our own worst enemies. Let’s face it, both we and the school system have downplayed the importance of technical jobs. Guidance counselors at the beginning of the year aren’t that busy, so take one to lunch. Have them tour your facility. Be prepared with stats on how many open positions there are in manufacturing that are currently not filled. We need to be our own Ambassadors!
So why don’t you get involved? The National Manufacturing Day has several ways for you to strut your stuff and get young people excited about manufacturing and the career options it offers. They give you helpful hints on what/how to do activities. There are several things you can do:
- Host an event. Put your best foot forward and give students a tour. Expose them to all facets of manufacturing, not just production. Have them talk to other young people who work for you so they can hear it from their peer group that there’s good paying jobs/careers in manufacturing. If your facility is in an industrial park, see if you can enlist other manufacturers to do the same and have tours of their facilities too.
- Attend an educational fair at one of your community colleges or tech schools. Take what you can so students can see what you do and more importantly, how you do it. Man the booth with some of your young stars that have come up through the system.
- Sponsorships – national events cost money. Help out financially when you can.
- Here is a link for the National Manufacturing Day Host Toolkit.
Now that school is going back in session, there’s no better time to get kids excited as the school year begins.
by tradesmeninsights | Aug 22, 2013 | Uncategorized
Today we have a guest blog from Jennifer Murphy, the vice president and COO at NetPlus Alliance.
Two years ago at the Industrial Supply Association Product Show and Conference, I was fortunate to attend one of the educational tracks hosted by a former Navy SEAL, Eric Greitans. His presentation related his experiences as a SEAL to the challenges we face in life, both personally and professionally.
Greitans served abroad first as a humanitarian, and then on the front lines in Afghanistan post-9/11. His book, The Heart and Fist, has a permanent place on my nightstand and I reread the pages that I’ve dog-eared whenever I need a reminder to keep my head up and continue to move forward.
I have many years to go before I am a veteran of this industry. I’ve worked at NetPlus Alliance, a buying group for industrial and contractor supplies distributors, for only seven short years. This pales in comparison to my father, Dan Judge, who’s been around the industry for almost 50. I’ve learned from him, though, about the tough times that our family distribution business, Ward Beals & McCarthy, faced over the years, and how hard it was for him to sell the assets of that business to a bigger company back when I was in college. He kept the corporation intact, and now I am the fifth generation of an industrial business that was started by my great uncles in 1931.
During the recession in 2009, we also heard from many of our distributors about the challenges that they faced. Our members that survived fought hard to gain back the ground that was lost, but the road ahead is still uncertain. The challenges many of us face now, although different from what my great uncles faced, are no less frightening than the rapid-paced social and digital media environment that distributors compete in today.
In The Heart and the Fist, Greitans describes Navy SEAL training: marathon swims in freezing water, followed by miles of running in combat boots and countless other physical and mental challenges. All of this happening in a chaos-driven environment where you don’t know what is going to happen from one hour to the next. Sound familiar?
Throughout the training, they don’t call these exercises tests or challenges; they call them ‘evolutions.’ Because every time you make a decision to accept pain, take on a challenge, put someone else’s needs in front of your own, confront your fear or move through defeat, your character evolves. And eventually you get to a place where you lead.
He said, “Everyone has a front line in life and in business. You are not going to win everyday. You need to work through the challenges and find the people that will be a part of your own front line who will push you through the tough stuff.”
So on the days when I need a reminder to move toward my fears, I pick up that dog-eared book, and reread the words that Eric Greitans put down in his memoir.
Certainly, the economy is better now; its taken time and we’ve gained some of the ground that was lost. But the business environment is also evolving beyond my father’s generation of running a distribution business. The new digital playing field evolves at a rapid pace, and social has new meaning for an independent business owner.
by tradesmeninsights | Aug 15, 2013 | Uncategorized
Right now we’re in the middle of our annual Tool Drive supporting the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity. Since our efforts started in 2010, we’ve found amazing support from our clients, partners, friends and community members.
We talked with Frank Drahan with the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity to find out more about him, Habitat for Humanity and their ReStore. Here’s the conversation:
Q. What is your position at Habitat for Humanity?
A. I’m the ReStore Manager
Q. What is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore?
A. The ReStore is about the four Rs: Recycle! Reuse! Reduce! Rebuild!
Regarding “recycle,” the ReStore is operated by Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity as one of the largest reuse and recycle centers in Cuyahoga County.
For reuse, the ReStore recycles and resells salvaged and reclaimed building materials, fixtures and tools that are in good condition.
In order to reduce, the ReStore diverts thousands of tons of usable materials from local landfills.
And finally, rebuild: The community can purchase affordable home improvement items at a fraction of retail cost and proceeds from the ReStore support Habitat’s mission to eliminate poverty housing through home construction and rehabilitation.
Q. How long have you been there?
A. 9 years
Q. What are your responsibilities at Restore?
A. I schedule donations, do customer service, help and work with our great volunteers, coordinate projects around the store and much more that comes with the day-to-day operations at the ReStore.
Q. What’s your most memorable moment working for Habitat for Humanity?
A. It would have to be opening the new ReStore at the new facility, where it’s currently operating.
Q. What do people most commonly donate?
Cabinets are the most common donation but are also needed
A. Kitchen cabinets and appliances
Q. What’s the most unusual donation that you’ve seen come in?
A. The strangest item that has been donated was an embalming machine from a funeral home.
Q. What’s on the ReStore donation wish list?
A. We always have a wish list of items that people might or might not think to donate which includes: appliances, kitchen and bath cabinets, lighting fixtures, sinks, furniture, tubs and showers, architectural salvage items, tools hand/power/yard… any tools!
We also need lumber that’s six feet or longer so we can use it, landscaping equipment, flooring and so much more.
Q. What’s best about working for Habitat for Humanity?
A. Getting to know all of our wonderful volunteers. Also, working with our customers and donors.
Q. The Sonnhalter tagline is “Not Afraid to Get Our Hands Dirty.” What is your favorite way to get your hands dirty at Habitat for Humanity?
A. Picking up donations and meeting the donors around Cuyahoga County
Q. What’s your favorite way to get your hands dirty outside of work?
A. BBQing!
Q. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
A. Thank you so much for your awesome support for the ReStore. We really appreciate everything you have done for us!
If you’re interested in participating in the Sonnhalter Tool Drive, visit sonnhalter.com/tooldrive or contact us to find out more.
