heat treat industry

Ukraine Crisis and the Heat Treat Industry

/ FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

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The tragedies of war are many. In today's post, we're looking at a very small slice of the consequences of the war in the Ukraine: How might this affect the heat treat industry? What should you prepare for? We've located four insights to reflect on this Friday.

Supply Chain Bottle Necks

"Representing 200 million tons of transit potential, Ukraine is one of the foremost—yet often overlooked—components of both the European and global supply chains. Therefore, any disruption in the region can have massive knock-on effects for countries throughout the world." With that in mind, three industry considerations are energy, resilience, and capacity. (Read more)

Businesses Are Interrupting Trade with Russia

Adding to the supply chain changes, you may find businesses you work with or even your own ceasing to do business with Russian companies in an effort to show solidarity with the Ukraine. In one case, "A group of 3D printer OEMs and other companies involved in additive manufacturing have released a statement in support of Ukraine and are calling for a quick end to Russia’s war in the country." (Read more)

Heightened Cybersecurity Preparedness 

It's hard to say whether cyber attacks are absolutely increased because of the conflict since there has long been a high rate of cyberattacking originating from Russia. However, cyberattacking is a known threat in modern war, and there have been increased email phishing attacks on specific targets. (Read more)

"We are seeing cybercriminals use Russia and Ukraine-centric social engineering efforts, like phishing emails, leveraging current events to solicit an emotional response to the war,” says Rosa Smothers, former CIA cyber threat analyst and technical intelligence officer, now at KnowBe4. 'In other words, people are less likely to think before they click.'" - Dennis Schima, "Does the War in Ukraine Increase the Risk of Russian Cyberattacks?"

Humanitarian Pressures

Whether near or far, we've been seeing fundraising efforts, medical support, and humanitarian aid being sent to the frontlines. Perhaps you've done business internationally and have contacts who need support, or, like SECO/WARWICK, have found a way to raise funds and send support: "With your help, we’ve sent humanitarian aid to the border and each day we support our Ukrainian colleagues."

Find heat treating products and services when you search on Heat Treat Buyers Guide.com

 

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Message from the Editor: Inspiring Young People in Heat Treat

/ EDITOR, FEATURED NEWS

OCYoung people today get a bad rap. Karen Gantzer, managing editor at Heat Treat Today, disagrees! The leadership, initiative, and problem-solving skills of the 40 Under 40 Class of 2021 are truly inspiring. In the heat treat industry, it appears youth isn't such a bad thing after all. In this article, read what Karen has to say about some of the young people on the team at Heat Treat Today.

This article was originally published in Heat Treat Today's August 2021 Automotive print edition.

Karen Gantzer
Managing Editor
Heat Treat Today

I find it very inspiring to work with young people in this industry. Contrary to what is sometimes heard in the world at large, many of the young people I’ve had the privilege of working with in the North American heat treat market are intelligent, conscientious, respectful, hard-working adults worth their weight in gold. They’re a real pleasure to be around. As this column is being typed, Heat Treat Today is working on selecting 40 young leaders in the North American heat treat market to be inducted into the 40 Under 40 Class of 2021, a great honor for each person, and a great honor for the 120 previous inductees, the 40 Under 40 Classes of 2018, 2019, and 2020. It’s amazing how difficult it is to pick 40 each year from those nominated. Nearly all of them are more than qualified, but only 40 can be selected. The judges invariably struggle each year. That is a GREAT problem to have, and it speaks to the quality of the young people in this industry. Although these young people will probably never make it into one of the 40 Under 40 classes, I would like to mention several under-40 individuals who contribute substantially to the North American heat treat market each and every day – the young people of Heat Treat Today – all of whom are less than 40 years old and all of whom are simply stellar people.

Bethany Funk-Leone is the Heat Treat Daily editor as well as the Heat Treat Radio editor and resident idea person along with Doug. We sometimes have to pivot at the last minute and Bethany flexes with grace, determination, and wit, as she juggles multiple responsibilities and stays ahead of the game.

Brandon Glenn is our art and web design expert. When we need a logo or image, a tweak on the website, or a last-minute edit on the Heat Treat Daily, Brandon is our man; and he always comes through with precision, kindness and often a comment that makes us laugh.

Ellen Glenn-Porter wears several hats—billing/accounting/audience development—and makes sure that important admin is completed on time. She faithfully connects with you in the industry and is always diligent to make sure the rest of the team is aware of needs, encouragement, or concerns that are sent to her.

Lauren Porter, Heat Treat Today production manager, is our newest team member. She has been Doug’s right hand person and done yeoman’s work in getting the print magazines, e-blasts, and other media out to you all as well as working with advertisers.

Alyssa Bootsma is our social media editor. She has taken excellent initiative on the various platforms and has grown our presence significantly. It has been exciting to see her grow and succeed in an area that had been unfamiliar to her, but one which she has embraced.

Jonathan Lloyd, Heat Treat Today's talented audio/podcast editor, ensures the excellence of Heat Treat Radio and other multimedia endeavors. His expertise and creativity in the audio and visual world is a huge asset as he helps us maintain a cutting edge.

The old-timers, Doug Glenn and I, couldn’t be happier to be working with this youthful group, who keeps us sharp and current! And, while they might never be in Heat Treat Today's 40 Under 40, they are our "Top 6" list of great people serving the North American heat treat market.

Thanks, team for the incredible work you do!

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Standardization vs. Innovation

/ FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES, PUBLISHER'S PAGE

This brief original content column by Heat Treat Today’s publisher, Doug Glenn, is from the most recent print magazine, Air and Atmosphere 2021. Are standardization and innovation in competition with one another, or do they assist each other? Which one is better to have? Read this article weighing the economics, business, and cultural realities of both.

Doug Glenn
Publisher and Founder
Heat Treat Today

In the heat treat industry, I wonder what effect standardization has had on innovation. This is a somewhat loaded question given the number of companies in the North American heat treat industry that are invested in industry standards such as AMS2750, CQI-9, and a large alphabet soup bowl of other standards. I’d like to hear your specific stories about how standardization has been helpful or harmful. Maybe Heat Treat Today can do a future article on the topic if we get enough responses. But in lieu of those real-life anecdotes, let’s think for a moment about the relationship between innovation and standardization.

First, I think that nearly everyone would agree that innovation is a good thing and should be encouraged. Many of today’s conveniences are the result of yesterday’s innovations. Certainly, not EVERY innovation is good, but encouraging a company, economy, or culture of innovation is far and away preferred to the absence of innovation.

Second, we should also acknowledge the benefits of standardization. Repeatability is the hallmark of high production societies. Knowing that you’re always going to get the same burger at any McDonald’s across the country is a huge selling point for that fast food giant. And when it comes to mission-critical or life-critical goods or services, who would not want the assurance that “past performance is a good indicator of future results.” I prefer my heart surgeon to do the same thing every time!

Third, let’s be clear that standardization and innovation are, by nature, mortal enemies in the sense that each tends to destroy the other. An atmosphere of standardization, where everything is always done the same – over and over again – is antithetical to shaking things up and trying new and sometimes odd things. Likewise, an atmosphere of innovation, cuts directly across the same sameness of standardization. If you do it differently one time, standardization is destroyed.2021 print mag 02

There is wonderfully simple and brilliant book written by the towering mind of Ludwig von Mises called Bureaucracy which contrasts bureaucratic organizations with profit-driven organizations. I recommend it highly (search Bureaucracy, von Mises) and it has something to say about the differences between bureaucratic organizations, which are highly standardized by nature, as well as being profit-driven organizations that tend to be less standardized and more innovative. One of his points is that there is a place for both in the world. The military, for example, is not a good place for question-asking and innovation, especially in the midst of a battle. In a military setting, do what you’re told without question and don’t deviate/innovate. In a profit- driven business, however, this same mindset is not so healthy – take for example the postal system or another bureaucratic organization where responsiveness to customer needs is not highly valued.

Some may say that there is a standardized process for being innovative. Could be.

Where’s the balance and how do we know if/when we’ve gone too far in either direction?

I’d be interested to hear your heat treat stories of when and why standardization or innovation is good, and especially how these two live comfortably together.

 

 

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