As we kick of 2012 we wanted to touch upon a recent article which features fellow American made manufacturer, Stacy Wilson of MillworX Precision Machining, who was recently interviewed regarding the ebb and flow of her company. Her responses resonated with our American made message and as such we wanted to share some nuggets of that piece that are in line with our mission at Taber.

Like MillworX Precision Machining, Taber believes that the best days are “when the customer is satisfied” and as such, we strive to offer products that go above and beyond traditional extrusion offerings. Another great point shared by Wilson is that, “To be a top-graded manufacturer you have to have a 100 percent performance record.” At Taber we pride ourselves on excellent customer service and internal performance- giving each and every client the best product possible. Lastly, we take the utmost pride in the fact that we “make complicated parts every day, that have to be touched by a lot of people.” Our teams of skilled experts are the integral facets of our business and our products celebrate their talent and skill everyday in the marketplace.

CLICK HERE to read the original article and learn more about American made extrusion companies.

Spikes in sales started in November and are scheduled to last into Q2. Despite this fact some business owners are weary of a potential backslide within the market but overall the majority of industry professionals do not believe this will happen. “Assuming no significant economic setback,” extrusion demand next year will be up 2-3% on the low side and 6-7%” on the high, one professional claimed.

Overall manufacturers believe “demand in 2012 [will be] even better than 2011” because “indications in the economy” are “trending in the right direction.” Especially when you look at the housing and car manufacturing industries.

CLICK HERE to read the original article and learn more about the positive predictions for Q1 2012.

What makes these accessories innovative?

“EDGE Design’s case boasts a unique patented chassis design with a polymer band that suspends the phone or tablet inside the case, preventing the metal from shortcutting the antennas and providing shock absorption if the device is dropped.” In addition to the design- “a unique serial number is engraved in each EDGE™ case to guarantee authenticity and streamline the process of product registration, which extends the owner’s warranty from 12 to 24 months.”

While the device’s concept was devised to fill an need in the marketplace- the physical design was inspired by the classic Pininfarina car company known for “modernizing” many of “today’s [European] cars.” The accessories will be made in the US “to ensure quality,” as the company prides itself on both the aesthetic of their products as well as their functionality. Aluminum serves as the showpiece for this new line, which is sure to be a hit in the states and abroad.

CLICK HERE to read the original article introducing these products and to learn more about EDGE’s exciting new line of tech accessories.

What makes this particular vehicle so impactful is the amount of material that is intended to make-up the vehicle.  Previously unprecedented, “the new SL has been built almost entirely out of aluminum and weighs nearly 140 kilograms less than its predecessor.” For the same reason bus and airline manufactures use the material, so now will Mercedes. But “the aluminum structure is not only lighter – it is also more ridged.”

This is achieved by using construction with components optimized for their specific task. Parts are made by chill casting or vacuum die-casting, worked into extruded aluminum sections or into aluminum panels of different thicknesses. The result is high rigidity, high safety levels and better vibration control.

The vehicle’s suspension will also benefit from the materials inclusion. Precisely speaking, “the steering knuckles and spring links on the front axle [will be] made out of aluminum to reduce the unsprung masses.” Meaning the sports car will ride smoother than ever before. Body style stays fairly consistent with previous years with a few aesthetic upgrades to the vehicles grill. Overall the vehicle is sure to impress consumers as well as market the benefits of aluminum within car manufacturing.

CLICK HERE to learn more about this vehicle and the trend of using of aluminum in luxury car construction.

“Aluminum Association’s Nick Adams said that the US is now “essentially” a net exporter, which hasn’t happened in a long time.” Adams was also quoted in a statement suggesting the US markets will benefit in 2012 due to higher than usual export demand.

“The huge growth in export numbers for extrusion markets” is notable, up nearly 38 percent in 2011 to date. For the same period, US and Canada aluminum exports overall, less cross-border trade is up 22.5 percent, whereas imports are up by only 4.8 percent.”

While the article cites reasons for continued research and possibly even speculation regarding the 2012 Global Market Outlook- it concluded with the remarks of specialists Adams and Hayes- both of whom advocated for the growth of the US Market by 10 percent next year.

CLICK HERE to read the article and learn more about this upswing in US aluminum exports.

Since its inception in 2003, the Industry challenge has collected and recycled over 295 million cans nationwide. The competition, which asks 68 manufacturing facilities to partner with local schools and organizations for 108 days, exclusively benefits non-profit charities and community groups like the Boy and Girls Club and Habit for Humanity.

“Our contest provides an opportunity for can manufacturers and their employees to give something back—not only to the environment, but to their local communities,” said Robert Budway, president of CMI. “Our industry is proud of its efforts to optimize aluminum beverage can recycling while re-energizing the recycling ethic among consumers. We are even prouder of our efforts to reach out and help individuals that are really struggling in this tough economy.”

Awards were given to the top earning manufacturing plants this year, reflecting “the highest per-capita collection rates based on the number of pounds of aluminum collected per plant employee.” Winning branches were located across the nation’s Midwestern region in Illinois, Ohio and Indiana. The results of which were as follows: “Rexam manufacturing plant won first place…with 614,261 cans collected and recycled. [And] second and third place went to two Ball Corporation plants [who] collected 723,360 and 249,249 cans, respectively.”

CLICK HERE to read more about the impact of America Recycles Day and those who made the campaign such a success this year.