Posted by Ben Harrison on Fri, Feb 25, 2011
Doug Smock had an interesting blog post over on Design News earlier this month – connecting the recent rise in materials prices (and related increase in demand) — to a renewed focus on “value-engineering.”
From Kaysun’s perspective, this is real trend. We are helping many of our customers save money today by using finite element analysis (FEA) to make design modifications that increase structural strength while reducing part weight and material usage, and choosing alternative materials that are not only less expensive but also offer less volatile pricing.
Our experience has shown that proper material selection is key for cost effectiveness early in the design phase, but you also need to choose a material that’s appropriate for your application.
Let us put our expertise to work on your next project!
Posted by Ben Harrison on Mon, Jan 31, 2011
Modern Plastics Worldwide’s Clare Goldsberry has a great article on the keys to success in manufacturing that highlights one of my favorite topics – the importance of investing in your workforce with education and training.
As Goldsberry put it, “Making sure that every employee is trained, understands the importance of his job, and owns it is critical to a company’s success.”
At Kaysun, we believe lifelong learning is vital to maintaining US leadership in the global economy, to ensuring the competitiveness of individual businesses and to improving personal mental health. We promote lifelong learning in a variety of ways, including a robust tuition reimbursement program for employees that we even maintained during the recent economic downturn.
I’m a strong believer that many of our country’s best minds are found not behind a desk or at a computer — but on the factory floor. The continued success we all enjoy at Kaysun validates that belief every day.
- Ben
Posted by Ben Harrison on Fri, Jan 28, 2011
Have you noticed the number articles and blogs published recently about US manufacturers “on-shoring” production — shifting products/jobs back to the US from China, because of less favorable currency valuation, increasing shipping and labor costs, continuing quality issues, etc.? One that really caught my attention was about Master Lock in Milwaukee, which is once again manufacturing its iconic padlocks in the US.
As a manufacturer of the highest-precision, critical-use plastic parts and assemblies, we at Kaysun don’t compete against low-cost Chinese manufacturers, but as a proud member of the Wisconsin manufacturing community, we applaud Master Lock’s reinvestment in our local economy. Let’s hope the trend continues. We all benefit from a vital and growing US manufacturing industry.
- Ben
Posted by Ben Harrison on Sat, Jan 22, 2011
It was great to see the more than 50 high school students at Kaysun last week on behalf of our sponsorship of the Mini-Chopper Program, a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Economic Development Corporation of Manitowoc County and The Chamber of Manitowoc County with supporting sponsorship by area businesses, manufacturers, local high schools and Lakeshore Technical College.
I was impressed with the progress the Lincoln High School team has made on the Kaysun Mini-Chopper and look forward to revving the engine in a couple months when the completed bike is unveiled. Kaysun supports education, not just among our employees but within the community and the Mini-Chopper Program has allowed high school students within Manitowoc to interface with industry and see firsthand that manufacturing is not a dirty grimy industry, but quite the opposite.
- Ben
Posted by Ben Harrison on Wed, Jan 05, 2011
As reported in several Wisconsin
news outlets, Kaysun Corporation has been nominated for a
2010 Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year (MOTY) Award. The awards are sponsored by the accounting and advisory firm Baker Tilly, the law firm Michael Best & Friedrich and the business association Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce. The MOTY award program recognizes excellence in manufacturing that celebrates the successes of manufacturers in the state: their innovations, philanthropy, technological advances, commitment to customer satisfaction, and quality jobs.
Posted by Ben Harrison on Thu, Dec 16, 2010
For many of us, this is the time of year where we reflect on the past and plan for the future as 2011 is right around the corner. It has been proven that when you take the time to simply write down your goals and read them on a regular basis, you are far more likely to actually achieve the goals that you set out to accomplish. What’s interesting to me is how few people actually take the time to do this simple exercise. If you do write down your goals, congratulations, you are the minority. However, you are not finished yet! To be really effective with goal accomplishment, you need to visualize actually completing the goal vividly and with emotion. For example, many of the athletes interviewed after making a shot at the buzzer or field goal with no time remaining say they visualized the event happen many times before and that in the game it felt like second nature. Get the concept? I use goal setting and visualization in all areas of my life and continue to be amazed at its effectiveness.
- Ben
Posted by Ben Harrison on Fri, Oct 01, 2010
The latest issue of Today’s Medical Developments includes an article authored by Kaysun’s Dave Robinson that details our work with Smiths Medical to update their line of pulse oximeters. Read the full story at: “
Partnering for Success in Pulse Oximeters“
Posted by Ben Harrison on Fri, Sep 24, 2010
Saw an interesting blog posting a while ago on IndustryWeek about a Michigan company having difficulty finding precision machinists. I weighed in with a few thoughts on the subject — basically that this situation highlights the need for better education and training, and a renewed focus on manufacturing in the US. I’m a big believer that “knowledge workers are not only in the office — some of the best minds are found on the production floor.” Click here to read the whole thread.
- Ben
Posted by Ben Harrison on Tue, Sep 21, 2010
The Kaysun team was pleased to host Wisconsin Senator Herb Kohl on his visit to our plant just before Labor Day — see photo below. While in the Manitowoc area, the Senator also visited Silver Lake College to help the school celebrate its 75
th anniversary. As part of its ongoing commitment to the local community, Kaysun is proud to fund an endowed scholarship for local students attending Silver Lake.
Posted by Ben Harrison on Wed, Sep 15, 2010
After 5 attempts, I finally reached my goal of qualifying for the Ironman World Championships by finishing 6th of 397 males ages 35-39 at the Ironman Wisconsin September 12th. After swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles, and running 26.2 miles in 10:06, I came across the finish line very satisfied I never gave up on my goal to secure a Kona slot. My initial attempt at Ironman resulted in a DNF (did not finish) and a trip to the medical tent as I suffered severe dehydration and required 2 IVs). I never will forget how bad I felt after I came to the realization that after a year of training and sacrifice, I came up short of finishing the race. Of course I signed up for another one and trained for another year but this time my bike segment was plagued by 3 flat tires which turned into a very long day, however I did finish the race, thank God. My 3rd attempt at Ironman was rather solid, I finished the race in 10:36 and realized that I did have the potential to land a Kona slot if I kept up the training and hard work. About a year later I competed in my 4th Ironman and due to a great deal of stress I was going thru at work, my race simply fell apart after I finished the bike, which resulted in me walking the majority of the marathon. Yes, I finished but it was a very disappointing day despite that fact. I took a year off from Ironman training and signed up for the 2010 event with the goal of securing a slot and finally achieving that goal made all the hard work and heartache well worth it. That’s my Ironman story. Yes, it can be applied to any challenge, obstacle, or set-back in life. Never give up. Never, never, never, never.
- Ben