Hartford Business Journal

8 Hartford Business Journal • July 31, 2017 www.HartfordBusiness.com Mobile lab brings advanced manufacturers on-site training By Patricia Daddona pdaddona@HartfordBusiness.com T wenty-three-year-old Levon Gonzalez of East Hart- ford has taken three workshops in Goodwin Col- lege's new advanced manufacturing mobile lab. Already a standout at ACMT in Manchester, Gonza- lez operates coordinate measuring machines (CMMs) used to inspect manufactured gas turbine components. She's learned a new set of skills from the lab that allows her to troubleshoot problems on the shop floor. "In our workshop they brought in a miniature CMM to show us the programming and how we would get the machine to understand where the part is and what mea- surements it's taking," Gonzalez said. "It's complicated and something new to learn." Her employer, ACMT Pres- ident and Founder Michael G. Polo, says the additional skills are invaluable because now when the equipment technician isn't available, "we have been able to fix things on our own." Launched last year, the mobile lab offers continuing education workshops crafted by Goodwin College instruc- tors that can both refresh and upgrade the skills of experi- enced workers while also introducing new employees to advanced manufacturing techniques and equipment — all without leaving the com- pany site. The lab is essentially a mobile classroom used for incumbent worker training as well as events and middle- and high-school education. It's fitted into a trailer perched on three 44-foot axles that cost about $250,000 to set up. It has its own generator, smart- board and Wi-Fi hotspots, plus a 50-inch high-definition TV that can be used outside, said Cliff Thermer, chairman of the Goodwin College department of business management and advanced manufacturing. The cost to run the lab for incumbent worker train- ing is about $750 a day. Depending on the type of training and whether workshops are customized, costs per trained individual can run from $450 to $900 each, though com- panies can leverage subsidies from the state Department of Labor Manufacturing Investment Fund, Thermer said. Convenience and applicability of the continuing education programs have enabled about eight different companies to train up to 14 workers at a time in the lab, said instructor Al Pucino, the college's director of manufacturing management and quality management systems. Programs range from reading blueprints to using tools for precision measurements. "I appreciated them coming to us and not taking more time out of my [work]day," said James Bunting, 54, a machinist at Phoenix Manufacturing in Enfield. He received training on how to use tools he was already familiar with — like a digital caliper, which measures aerospace parts — to ensure accurate results. "It was eye-opening seeing different groups using different instruments to achieve the same goal," he said. While it's not clear if the lab is the only one in the North- east, it is the only one that Kansas-based Depco Enterpris- es LLC, which built it, ever sold in the region, said regional sales manager Ernie Wake. Depco builds three or four a year for programs in other parts of the country, he said. "The advantage is on-site, real-time training that allows whoever the lab is going to teach to be in their own environment and learn by doing," said Phoenix's Presi- dent Glenn W. E. Ford, whose company makes hardware and machine components for the aerospace industry. Both Horst Engineer- ing and Manufacturing Co. of East Hartford and ACMT have used the lab multiple times. Horst, which used the lab twice and paid about $100 a worker after taking advantage of state subsidies, is exploring the possibility of ordering a customized work- shop, said Arthur Roti, Horst's general manager. No matter the subject, Roti said it is less expensive to use the lab than to hire an instructor to come into the company, and there are fewer distractions. "If workers are in the trailer, that physical barrier makes a big difference," Roti said. Polo, of ACMT, said the lab is invaluable not just for experienced workers like Gonzalez taking her expertise to the next level, but for new employees with minimal experience in manufacturing. And ACMT, which makes metal and non-metal parts and assemblies for commer- cial, industrial and military gas turbine manufacturers around the globe, has many new workers, he said. The company increased its worker roster from 47 people last year to 139 this year, working across three shifts in two buildings, seven days a week. "There's a lot of training that needs to get done and many of [the workers] are brand new to manufacturing, so it's been a challenge," he said. For Bunting, the Phoenix employee, the workshop raised his awareness of the importance of a principle like "repeatability" that he can now apply on the shop floor. He learned, he said, "just to be that much more dili- gent about using the measuring devices the same way every single time. You can't get complacent. If you do, results tend to suffer." n Q&A Manufacturers can soon tout 'Connecticut- Made' products Q&A talks with state Rep. Caroline B. Simmons (D-Stamford), about a new state law creating a "Connecticut-Made" program that aims to spotlight manufacturers and retailers. Q: A new law taking effect in October will require the state to develop a "Connecticut-Made" logo businesses can use to pro- mote products made or pro- duced in the state. What was the impetus behind the bill? A: The purpose of this initiative is to establish a Con- necticut-Made logo designation, to pro- mote local businesses that make products in our state. This CT- Made logo will be an excellent way to showcase the many wonderful products and goods that are locally made, as well as provide consumers with information on which products are made locally, so that we can support local jobs. Whether it is Munson's Chocolates in Bolton, the Hartford Denim Co., or Luke's Toy Factory in Danbury, there are many thriving local busi- nesses that make their products here in our state. This CT-Made logo designa- tion will support local jobs, cre- ate pride for small businesses, encourage locally made products, and strengthen our local economy. Once the CT-Made logo is designed, it will be available for manufactur- ers and retailers to use as a means of promoting products with their origins in the Nutmeg State. Q: How is CT-Made going to be defined? Will certain thresh- olds need to be met? Also, there seems to be no penalties for mis- use of the designation. Is this going to be an "honor" program with no means of enforcement? A: You are correct, there is no official mechanism for enforcing how the logo is used. While the state Department of Economic and Community Development is work- ing to develop the logo, the agency will also establish guidelines for its use, including the types of prod- ucts that can use it and whether the manufacturer can alter its propor- tions, colors or other details of the logo and its design. Q: Is this program modeled after similar programs in other states? If so, what are some of the differences? What are the benefits of companies choosing this designation? A: At least 24 states have pro- grams that brand and market products made in their state. Most states try to build a brand name or image that symbolizes the culture and heritage unique to that state. There are many benefits for companies and manufacturers choosing to use the logo. First, it makes state resi- dents aware that what they are buying has its roots in their home state and thus generates local pride and support for local businesses. Second, it encourages con- sumers to buy from businesses that make their products locally, thereby supporting more job creation in our state. Third, it benefits the tourism industry as many tourists will be able to purchase unique and locally made Connecticut products as a keepsake. Q: The new law eliminates the DECD commissioner's authority to make grants to people and businesses that promote and market Connecti- cut-Made products. What's the thinking behind this step? A: The reason for eliminating DECD grants is simple — there are not enough funds available right now. We hope businesses will not require grants as a prem- ise for making use of the logo. Q: What's the thinking behind not using a third party to develop the logo? Will it hurt the law's efforts to pro- mote the state if a profession- al logo isn't developed? How much is being saved by not contracting this work out? A: Given our difficult fiscal cli- mate, we did not want to add an additional cost. As such, we con- firmed with DECD that they will be able to create this logo within their existing agency resources and within available appropriations. Q: What's the timeline on the logo and guidelines? The law is effective Oct. 1. Does that mean the logo needs to be ready by then? A: Oct. 1 marks the date that DECD will be required to move forward with the concept and design of the CT-Made logo. n CAROLINE B. SIMMONS State Rep. (D-Stamford) Goodwin College's advanced manufacturing mobile lab (left) allows college instructors like Al Pucino (right) to help manufacturing workers from various companies improve their skills. P H O T O S | C O N T R I B U T E D FOCUS MANUFACTURING ACMT's Levon Gonzalez, a mobile lab trainee, works at her Manchester plant. P H O T O | C O N T R I B U T E D

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