Letterbox.

Creative Risk Leads to Needed Breakthroughs

I couldn't agree more with the March editorial ("Bigger Dreams, Bigger Results"). If the majority of our efforts go into complaining about foreign competition, the sluggish economy, the cost of insurance and other things that are really out of our control, we will find the U.S. foundry industry--as we have historically known it--gone.

It is changing right now. Those who realize they are in the business of solving customer production and design problems in a more economical way will grow and thrive in the future. Meanwhile, those who hunker crown to survive until the next boom in the economy and then allow their customers to buy a "commodity" will be the next foundries to close.

The survivors will be the ones who are proactive, and they will grow as a result. The casualties will be those who only react.

It takes work, vision and a willingness to take risks in order to meet or exceed your customers' expectations and, in the process, become such a valuable supplier that price is not the main issue. Breakthroughs usually come from thinking outside the box, whether it relates to customer service or internal production processes.

To put it another way, if we continue doing what we have always done, we will get what we have always got. That won't cut it in the future.

Joe E. Farrar

President/CEO

Farrar Corp.

Norwich, Kansas 

Our Survival Lies with Us

The March editorial is on the mark, We can either watch our industry crumble or do something about it.

Many of the foreign foundries in lower cost nations are some of the most modern in the world. They supply quality products at outstanding prices, making our challenge even more difficult. But there are casting operations that do compete and grow in this market, These successful foundries apply technology in all aspects of their business, understand the customer, employ top engineering talent, offer design (either internally or through a partner), measure the right things, and are product- rather than process-focused,

In the metalcasting industry, the work we don't do can be as consequential as a bad decision. Therefore, playing it safe will lead to wrong results, or, when trying to minimize risk, it is starting from a point of weakness. Merely cutting bottom-line costs does not spur topline growth and may not, in fact, be playing it smart.

We cannot be overly concerned with setbacks. Boss Kettering said, "Virtually everything does not come out right the first time, failure is part of the process and leads to more progress than playing it safe." What if Columbus played it safe?

I am now under the belief that if at least 20% of your products or process are not less than two years old, you are losing ground. This implies that everything you do or make should be replaced with a better method or part within 10 years. Maybe we as an industry should start with that in mind.

Paul H. Mikkola

President

Metal Casting Technology, Inc.

Milford, New Hampshire 

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