I'm a Foundryman...

Howdy from Texas,

Looking back on it all, I didn't start my "career" as a foundryman.  Heck, I didn't even know what a foundry really was until 1994.  I started out "life after college" as a computer programmer for insurance companies, chemical companies, cosmetic companies, and state government.  Looking for a "change of pace and location" and the opportunity to get my MBA,, I stumbled into the foundry business.  A foundry was hiring a computer programmer, I applied, and got hired and spent twelve years smelling burned sand, chemicals, and hearing and feeling the massive molding machines at work.  I got "down and dirty" all of the time crawling in the rafters, working around the machines, etc.

I was very fortunate as a number of people at the foundry, Texas Foundries AKA Citation Lufkin, took me under their wing and taught me the foundry business.  The Industrial Engineer, payroll, accounting, sales, order processing, shipping, metalurgical departments - heck, the whole facility taught me the foundry business.  Most importantly, I wanted to learn the foundry business and I embraced it and found it exciting and fascinating.  After my stint at the foundry was done, I fortunately made the leap over to Synchro ERP.  That in itself is an interesting story that I will have to share someday. The story goes a long ways as to explaining "who I am and what type of person I am".   

When I see a fire hydrant or a man hole cover, I see foundries at work.  When I see new products, I wonder, what kind of application could this be used for in a foundry.   Case Point example, I stumbled across a new product called NeverWet and my first thoughts were, wow, this is neat and then how could this be used in a  foundry environment?  At the foundry, ductile iron and steel, we were constantly battling rust on castings in stock.  Castings were treated with oil, placed in special containers with absorbent materials,  etc.   Unless you are a foundryman, you might not even realize that rust and corrosion are issues in a foundry, especially on finished castings out of the shot blast tumbler.

It would be good to hear from you to see how you got the foundry industry in your blood!  Drop me a line and let me know! 

At the end of the day, Synchro ERP is all about metalcasting, our people know metalcasting, and we can assist your metalcasting operations.

Well, tis the season here and I want to wish you all the very best and have a very safe season.

I'll catch up with you on down the road next year!

Shane Allen
Head of Synchro ERP North American Operations
 

The Tides of February...

Howdy from Texas,

The weather here has been on-par for February, but certainly not November.  In fact, it has been colder in November than it was all last winter.  I hope this is not foreboding of  what is to come...  Sure glad I'm in Texas and not in Buffalo NY where they are dealing with 6 FEET of snow so far and another 3 to 4 FEET expected!

 

First off, if you saw my last blog entry regarding manhole covers, Most Don't Even Notice Them, it is kind of ironic that the American Foundry Society, AFS, picked up on this and has launched a contest about this very subject!

Castings You Encounter in Everyday Life

All is well in the land of Synchro ERP and the implementation team, sales team, support team, development team, and sales team have been hard at work trying to wrap up another banner year.  It has been a great year at Synchro ERP.  I myself have been extraordinary busy doing demos, including demos of the Shop Floor Data Collection APP the Synchro ERP Way!  If you haven't checked this out, then please get in touch with me and I will be tickled pink to give you the grand tour.


Well, here in America we are gearing up for the annual feast of Thanksgiving; the day when there are probably more heart attacks than any due to people stuffing themselves silly with turkey and dressing and ham and pumpkin or pecan pie!  Many will be glued to the TV watching American Rules Football.     Thanksgiving originates when the "Pilgrims" and the Native Americans, Indians, got together and broke bread.  At least that is what the legend purports.   It's also a time to give "Thanks" for whatever you are thankful for.

What am I thankful for? Every morning that my feet hit the floor it's going to be a good day as it can't get any better than that and the alternative isn't pretty.

Well, here's to you and until next time, see you on down the road in December...

Shane Allen
Head of Synchro ERP North American Operations

Most Don't Even Notice Them...

Manhole covers.  When I see a manhole cover, I see a casting.  A manhole cover is a well designed, extremely high quality, and safety sensitive casting.  Think about it, the absolute worst thing that could happen to a manhole cover is that someone is walking over it and it fails.  Manhole covers are abused day in and day out by cars and trucks driving over them and subject to all of the temperature and weather variations.  Manhole covers are designed to last and last a very long time.  They have to be produced so that they are within very tight tolerances so that they fit exactly in the underlying support structure so that they do not "shift".

Walking Wyatt Earp early on Saturday morning, I came across a very ornate manhole cover.

The Synchro ERP software assists all metalcasters in producing high quality castings, reducing scrap, improving throughput, increasing efficiency, and at the end of the day; making more money!

So, next time you walk across that manhole cover, think "CASTING" - think of all that went into making that casting - from the pour all the way through quality control and shipping.

Until next time, see you on down the road.

Shane Allen
Synchro ERP
Head of North American Operations  

October Almost Slipped Away

Howdy from Texas,

October almost slipped away from me without a single blog posting!  Apologies to one and all.  No excuse, except that the entire Synchro ERP team has been as busy as a one armed paper hanger!  It has been a whirlwind of a month, but a good month at that as we have continued to add new customers to the fold!  Customers come first at Synchro ERP!  I've actually got writers cramp from signing so many quotes as the software only for metalcasters is that good.

At this years show, our MD/CEO demonstrated the future of metalcasting software with Google Glasses for "Shop Floor Vision".

This is a a picture of Leland and his lovely wife.

The team met up at the ICI 2014 Expo where we said goodbye to Leland Martin as he is entering into the wonderful world of retirement.

 

I really enjoy the ICI as so many of our investment casting customers stop by for a visit and tell us all of the good "stuff" they are doing with the software and how it has really helped move their business along.   

 

I have a new camera and got to play with the panoramic feature which I really like!

 

As per usual, some people see fire hydrants, Corvettes, and man hole covers, being a foundryman, I see CASTINGS.

 

It is always good to catch up with our MD/CEO Chris Collins and Global Implementation Manager Simon Adlington.  We make quite a team!

 

I myself am a man of many talents as I hoover the floor....  Reminds me of a chimney sweep.

 

After the ICI, Simon and I hustled over to Palm Springs California for the NFFS show, and boy what a time we had.  Jared and his folks know how to put on a spread.

 

The Synchro booth, as usual, per the hard work of our Sales & Marketing Director Barbara Nolan Collins and her right hand Bianca Catherall, the booth looked great.

 

A good time was had by all, and we did sign yet another contract as a result of the show!

Of course, while Simon and I were sipping wine and eating posh steak, the support crew of Lee Mahon, Jon Mapp, and everyone else were doing the "per standard" bang up job of keeping the support desk humming along.  Without their tireless dedication and vast knowledge, none of this would be possible.  And of course, while all of this was going on, Jean-Marie was in the Oceanic region for the AFI! 

Well, I will leave you with just a smidgen more of some pictures from Palm Springs and until next time, see you down the road in November. 

Shane Allen

Head of Syncrho ERP NA Operations  

 

And a Great Time Was Had by All!

Greetings and Salutations from Texas,

Last week I had the distinct honor of representing the Synchro ERP team at the 15^th  AFS Texas Regional held in Arlington Texas, which is also known as the "metroplex" or the D/FW area (Dallas/Fort Worth).  Arlington is right smack dab in the middle between Dallas and Fort Worth and is home to the Dallas Cowboys billion dollar American football stadium, home of the Texas Rangers baseball team, Six Flags amusement park, and many other fun attractions.  I actually lived in Arlington for a time many years ago when I was helping H. Ross Perot (PEA ROW) run EDS - Electronic Data Systems.

The speakers and the sessions held were top shelf with topics including green sand casting defects, cold box information, government affairs, NLRB (National Labor Relations Board), and many others.  Of course, the people are what makes AFS and the AFS Texas Chapter worthwhile.   I had the pleasure of meeting up with several Synchro ERP customers and even got to first hand observe our software in action as a customer was remoted into their server and was discussing weights, yields, and materials, while viewing pictures, with one of their suppliers!   

The event came off without a hitch, as far as I am aware, and is a testament to the fantastic planning and organizing by the AFS Texas Chapter and AFS National.  The weather was made to order for the golf tournament and the baseball game and couldn't have been better.  I always enjoy meeting up with everyone in the metalcasting industry, I suppose one could say it's in my blood; I must have a high "iron count". 

As a supplier to the metalcasting industry, I believe that these gatherings are critical to the continued success of Synchro ERP.  The reason for continued education is that the more we learn about the needs and issues facing the industry, be it green sand defects or the impact of OSHA reporting requirement changes, the more we can focus the software and development on meeting these needs and understanding the complexities that our customers face day-in and day-out.

I am proud to be a card carrying member of the AFS!   Until next time, see you on down the road.

Shane Allen 

Head of Synchro ERP North American Operations

Castle Wolfenstein?

I was reminded today of the early PC game Wolfenstein.  It's still one of my favorite PC games.

 

 

Whatever it is, it has a heavy duty padlock, reminds me of  another early PC word game, ZORK.  I bet big gamers like Lee Mahon and Jon Mapp have no clue as to what ZORK was all about.  Probably Wolfensten for that matter...  Of course, to be fair, I have zero clue about today's games.  I grew up with Intelivision and Commodore 64 and early IBM PC's.

 "Open Lock with Magic Key"

 Lets see what we have here?  You never know what is behind the door when playing Wolfenstein...

 

Oh my goodness, it the Synchro ERP storage shed of exhibition material.  It must be time for the Investment Casting Institute and the NFFS exhibitions. 

 

An example of one of my favorite Economic terms "Dynamic Comparative Advantage" or "learning by doing".  It's always easier to get the packing straps in place prior to loading the pallet.  Comes from doing this for almost seven years...

It might be September in Texas, but it's still hot, even in the early morning...

 

Well, got that container all packed and ready to go...

 

Now, lets get the new shipping straps in place, lovely blue don't you think?

 

Job well done Shane, and dang, you do look hot and sweaty.  Time for a shower...  Certainly can't go back to work looking like that!  It's a tough job, but someone has to do it.

 

Ok, the Castle Synchro is safe and secure again.  No telling what will jump out next time it is opened...

Until next time, see you on down the road at the AFS Texas Regional.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game...

 

Join the AFS Texas Chapter, AFS National, and Synchro ERP for America's National Past Time.  Hotdogs, Apple Pie, and Baseball. A good safe time to be had by all.

Don't delay, sign up now!

Until next time, see you on down the road...

Shane Allen

Head of Synchro ERP 

North American Operations