R U B BE R
ROL L E R GR O UP
ROLL CALL VOLUME 12
O CTOBER 2011
Y OUR C HAIRMAN S PEAKS ! It would be difficult, I think, for anyone to understand how happy I am to be able to make this report. The Rubber Roller Group is back on sound footing financially and our membership is moving upward toward 200 which is our current goal. At our last reporting, we have 95 manufacturing and 86 supplier members. Our May meeting was great and financially successful. As of this report, we have funds for the next meeting in the bank and all is as it should be. We owe our Board of Directors a big thank you for the efforts toward this goal and I can’t say enough thank you’s to Robbi. Our next meeting will be in Kansas City in May and yes, I do remember there was an overwhelming request the meeting be in New Orleans, but it just wouldn't work. At our next meeting you will be asked to give the board more guidance in moving the dates of our meeting if we are going to New Orleans. It has come to my attention that the membership of the RRG received a copy by email of a contract that was proposed by Motion Industries that was to be considered by the Board of Directors. This communication was not authorized by the Board and this contract was not approved by the Board. While the board does generally approve of the idea that the RRG members can band together to get better pricing on such products as Motion Industries sells, we want to make sure that what we do is only done to help, and certainly not to hurt our members in the RRG. We are looking at the proposed contract and changing enough wording so that we can be sure that we will not have any liability placed on the group or that we as a group will not place any liability on our members. Since you have seen the proposed contract, if you have any feed-back or other ideas, let us know. We will take no action on this before the end of October. Ronny Rhodes
I NSIGHT
FROM OUR
P RESIDENT
At our shop, we've had a rash of customer breakdowns in the last few months, leading to numerous frantic calls begging for machine time, expedited deliveries, overtime hours, and (at our suggestion) quotes on additional spare rollers. Frustrating as these situations can be, they are at the heart of providing quality service for our customers, and demonstrate how crucial a roller supplier is to the success of its customers' business. Beyond the occasional time when a roller company has to get a customer out of hot water, a quality working relationship tends to deliver a great deal of value to the end user of our products. Through technical assistance, innovative products, and competitive pricing and service, a roller manufacturer becomes an indispensable part of a manufacturer's operation. By extension, then, roller manufacturers play a significant role in everyone's daily life. Almost no aspect of daily life isn't touched at some point by a roller in a manufacturing environment - the building materials for the homes in which we live, the books that our kids study at school, the cars that we drive, the food that we eat, the products that we buy and the packaging in which they are sold. The work of rubber roller manufacturers, ultimately, serves to enhance the lives of every person in our society. Just as we as roller companies help to move other industries forward, the Rubber Roller Group strives to help our members move their businesses forward. Through networking opportunities, sharing of innovative equipment and process concepts, as well as sharing general business management best practices, the Rubber Roller Group enables its members to grow their businesses and, in turn, assist their customers in providing value to the public at large. We appreciate your contributions to the Rubber Roller Group, and look forward to continuing to work with you in the future. Best wishes to all of our members for a productive and profitable Fall! Best Regards, Mike Brown
P AGE 2
W ITH THAT BEING SAID ... First I want to start by publically thanking all my speakers at last year’s meeting in Reno, especially the people that stepped up at the last minute to help out. You all did a wonderful job and everyone I have talked to really enjoyed the presentations. Like everyone on the board I have been focusing on ways to bring more value to group members. Currently I am working with some hotel chains on negotiating us a discount program for members to use as we travel in our ever day business. In regards to next year’s meeting I already have gotten some great ideas and volunteers for speakers from the group and it looks like we are going to have another good program for you. With that being said as always I am still looking for and asking for volunteers to speak at the next meeting. So if you know of anybody or would like to speak please feel free to contact me at
[email protected] or 256-710-7395.
KEN KEMERER
ACCEPTS APPOINTMENT TO THE
RRG BOARD
OF
DIRECTORS
Ken has agreed to serve the remainder of the term vacated by the recent resignation of long time Board member, Wyatt Neal. The term will end at our next annual meeting where our membership will have the opportunity to elect the Supplier’s Representative. Kemerer received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Tri-State (Trine) University. Prior to joining Wacker, Ken began his management career right out of college at National Starch in Indianapolis, IN. Ken joined Wacker in 1996 as a Process Supervisor in Adrian Elastomers. He proceeded to become the Director of Operations at Wacker’s Kelmar facility in Duncan, SC which produces Silicone Fluids. In 2000 he was promoted back to Wacker’s Adrian Elastomer Facility as Manufacturing Manager responsible for producing HCR, RTV, and LSR materials. Most recently, Ken was promoted to Director of SILMIX®-OH, A Division of Wacker Chemical Corporation in North Canton, OH. In addition to currently managing this custom silicone compounding facility he also serves on various boards including the Blue Ridge, Ohio, New England, and Fort Wayne Rubber Groups as well as the local Green Chamber of Commerce.
B LUEGRASS R OLLER S ERVICE , I NC . A CQUIRES R OLLER D IVISION OF B RANHAM On May 5, 2011 Bluegrass Roller Service, Inc. of Shelbyville, Kentucky purchased the Roller Division of Branham Corporation of Louisville, Kentucky. The purchase included all the equipment and inventory related to the production of rubber covered rollers. Effective the date of sale all orders on the books were transferred to Bluegrass Roller Service and customers were notified of the change. As the result of this acquisition Bluegrass Roller Service has some duplicate equipment that will not be needed. There are two American lathes, 25” diameter over the cross slide and 144” between centers. These lathes are 1929 and 1932 vintage and were used on a daily basis to strip and grind rolls. There is also a roll strip builder with a 3” extruder. This equipment is for sale and may be seen in Louisville, Kentucky. Contact Art Dixon at 502-647-2100 if you have any interest.
P AGE 3 MERLE OWEN I regret to announce the death of our long- time friend and member of the Rubber Roller Group, Merle Owen.
WE'VE MOVED!
As of June 2, our new address is:
Merle passed away on 12-23-2010. He was 81 years old. He was employed with Rotation Dynamics Corporation for over 50 years and was the Director of Sales. He will be greatly missed.
Flexographic Technical AssociationFoundation of FTA FLEXO Magazine 3920 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 9 Bohemia, NY 11716 Our phone and fax numbers remain the same.
LORD CORPORATION SCIENCE EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT ANNOUNCED
Triet Dao is a first generation immigrant. He and his family moved to Cincinnati from Vietnam in 2006. He shuffled through many schools during his first year while trying to learn English. Eventually he ended up at Delhi Middle School for one short year before going to Oak Hills High School. There he participated in the school chess club and key club. He was admitted to the National Honor Society during his senior year all the while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. He graduated from Oak Hills High School in 2011 with honors as well as the state's award of merit. Triet is going to the University of Cincinnati with scholarship from UC as well as from Central Roller where his father works.
R UBBER R OLLER G ROUP A DVERTISERS G UIDE We wish to share our appreciation for the 17 advertisers that paid to showcase their company in this issue of our Roll Call newsletter. The proceeds of these ads is to offset the costs that the organization incurs throughout the year. Page 5…………………..Akrochem Corp
Page 11………………....Zeon Chemical
Page 6……………....Hardwick Standard Page 6……………..Graphic Arts Rubber
Page 12……………….……..HM Royal Page 12……..Portage Precision Polymers
Page 7…………………………REMCO
Page 13…………………...Laur Silicone Page 13…………………...FLAMEX Inc
Page 8………………..HallStar Company Page 9………………….Friction Coating Page 10…………….……SILMIX®-OH Page 10…………………...Robbins LLC
Page 14…………..Chase Elastomer Corp Page 15…………………..Rhein Chemie Page 16……………..Ace Elastomer Corp Page 16……………………HB Chemical
Q UEENSLAND R OLLERS AND L INERS AND THE J ANUARY F LOODS BY
B RAD P HILLIPS
During the devastating Queensland floods in Australia earlier this year many businesses in the Rocklea suburb and surrounding areas, including Queensland Rollers & Liners, were submerged under three and a half metres of flood water. Once the water had receded staff, friends, family and volunteers worked tirelessly in the clean-up. In an effort to manage the impact of flood damage to workshop equipment, QRL engaged engineers and electricians working 12+ hours a day, 7 days a week for many weeks to restore rubber roll building extruder, grinding lathes, moulding presses and a boiler. Power tools and machinery were upgraded and the office refurbished. The forced downtime provided an opportunity to streamline processes and improve product build efficiencies through the relocation of key equipment. The damage caused by the floods has not dampened our determination to provide customers with the standard of product they have come to expect from QRL. We're happy with where we are at right now. We just need to get the word out that we are back up and running. QRL is now open for business and is running at full capacity.
Specializing in NBR/PV, NBR, Factice, Plasticizers, and Rubber Chemicals Check us out at www.hbchemical.com or call 800-991-2436
AN INDUSTRY
VETERAN’S TAKE ON
BY: DEAN ARMSTRONG
THERMOPLASTIC ROLL BUILDING
Crowne Plaza Kansas City Downtown It isn’t too early to make your plans for the Rubber Roller Group meeting May 6, 7 and 8, 2012 in Kansas City! The meeting follows the same schedule as recent meetings of Sunday evening reception and Monday and Tuesday for the technical meeting, mini expo and golf outing. Make your reservations by calling 1-888-233-9527 and identify yourself as a member of the Rubber Roller Group no later than April 6, 2012 to receive the Group rate. Features:
Special Meeting Rate of $109 Newly renovated Adjacent to the new Power & Light Entertainment District Complimentary High Speed Wireless Internet throughout the hotel Minutes away from Westport and Country Club Plaza shopping Complimentary Fitness Center and Seasonal Outdoor Rooftop Pool Two pre/post days on room rate Starbucks® Coffeehouse located inside the hotel lobby The place to meet
Your Board of Directors Ronny Rhodes, Craftex Protective Coating
[email protected] Chairman Phone#: 205-759-4251 Mike Brown, Pinnacle Roller
[email protected] President Phone#: 513-369-4830 Brent Young, Rolls Inc.
[email protected] Vice-President Phone#: 256-446-8391 Steve Chase, Excel-Polymers
[email protected] Secretary/Treasurer Phone#: 800-767-9797 Jennifer McKinsey, Lord Corporation
[email protected] Parliamentarian Phone#: 814-213-0090
R ENO R ECAP 2011 RRG Membership We currently have 181 members! There are 95 Manufacturer members And 86 Supplier members We have 120 Companies represented. There are 66 (55%) Manufacturer companies and 54 (45%) Supplier companies! It has always been our goal that we have a larger Manufacturer base than Supplier. We had 34% gain in membership from 2010. We only need a little over 10% gain in 2012 to reach our current goal of 200 members! We can do this! We have 12 (7%) International members!
Robbi Mooney Executive Secretary 23 Briarwood Lane Clarksville, AR 72830 Phone#: 479-214-0364 Fax#: 479-754-9535 E-mail:
[email protected] Website: www.rubberrollergroup.com
David Hausner of Hausner Hard Chrome, Inc. “Chrome 101” Allen Wagoner of FLAMEX, Inc. “Dust Collector Fires and Explosions: Measures for Prevention and Protection”
Eric Gonzalez of Motion Industries “Bearings for the Roller Industry”
Rick Harwood, Harwood Rubber Products
[email protected] Manufacturers' Representative Phone#: 330-923-3256
Jeff Rand, HB Chemical
[email protected] Suppliers Representative Phone#: 330-920-8023
Robert Smith and Jeff Mathis of Chase Elastomer Corp. “Total Cost and Value”
David Mitchell of C. H. Robinson “Freight Handling”
Steve Ottaviano, Rubber Right Rollers, Inc.
[email protected] Manufacturers' Representative Phone#: 617-387-6060
Ken Kemerer, SILMIX®-OH
[email protected] Suppliers Representative Phone#: 330-628-5024
Thank You to the 2011 Speakers
9
th
Annual
Golf Outing Results Winning Team: Randy Apperson Jeff Mathis Mike Sibley Highest Score: Mike Burkholder Glen Hoffman Brent Young Angela Grim Long Drive: Doug Ruch Closest to Pin: Darrin Roe Mike Sibley
Ken Kemerer of SILMIX®-OH “Silicone Rubber Basics for Rollers” Stephen O’Rourke of Hallstar “Performance Additives for Rubber” Thomas (Tom) Jablonowski of TSE Industries, Inc. “Millable Polyurethane Rubber For Roller Applications”