Articles

How to Persuade Customers to Buy Your New Product–EP 194

August 21, 2023 - 2:11pm -- Selcuk Gulboy
Noah Graff, Rex Magagnotti, Lloyd Graff in Graff-Pinkert Warehouse

This podcast has been going for five years now, and those people who listen to it frequently might be tired of the Graff-Pinkert ad at the beginning of the show. I was tired of it, so I finally created a new ad.

For people who are listening to this show for the first time, I’m a used machine tool dealer with a family business called Graff-Pinkert. We specialize in selling equipment for the precision machining industry.

How a Machinist Entrepreneur Retired at 40, with Tyler Jarosz—Ep. 154

August 14, 2023 - 1:52pm -- Selcuk Gulboy
Tyler Jarosz, Former Owner of Twenty6Products

Editor’s Note: This podcast was recorded in Spring of 2022. Tyler has now been retired for over 2 years, and Noah is the proud father of a 1 year old.

In early 2022, Tyler Jarosz sent me an email to ask if Graff-Pinkert would be interested in a used little parts washer he no longer needed in his machine shop. He found out about Graff-Pinkert from listening to Swarfcast, which I’m proud to say is the only podcast he has ever listened to.

Robots that Know Where to Go, With George Konidaris–EP 193

August 4, 2023 - 1:25pm -- Selcuk Gulboy

Seems like right now every podcast is doing an interview centered around artificial intelligence. 

But I waited until I found the right story, one that was truly relevant to our audience in the machining world.

Today’s guest on the podcast, George Konidaris, is the cofounder of the startup, Realtime Robotics. He is also a professor of Computer Science and the director of the Intelligent Robot Lab at Brown University.

How to Make Your Employees Want to Stay, with Adam Wiltsie–EP 130

July 25, 2023 - 10:39am -- Selcuk Gulboy
Adam Wiltsie, Director of Operations of Vanamatic

Last week, I heard a story about an old customer of Graff-Pinkert who lost three key machinists because a shop down the street was paying more. It led me to make a post on Linkedin, asking if machinists and setup people were paid enough to attract young people to the machining field. On the whole, commenters vented that they were not compensated what they felt they deserved working in the machining industry.  The post has 53 comments so far (I’m usually lucky to get one).

How Unexpected Help Creates Profitable Relationships: Seeking Serendipity

July 10, 2023 - 2:36pm -- Selcuk Gulboy
Schutte S32PC that got wet in Cologne, Germany

In November of 2015, our used machine tool company, Graff-Pinkert, bought a Schütte S32PC, mfd. 2002, in Cologne, Germany, from a dealer we didn’t know. It was a nice looking machine. A big 32mm CNC Multi-Spindle, painted red and cream because it came out of a Mercedes factory. We were excited to bring the machine to the US until the seller allowed it to get wet when he put it outside in a rainstorm.

Should I buy a Cobot or a Good Old Fashioned Robot?, with James Persenaire of FANUC

June 26, 2023 - 2:50pm -- Selcuk Gulboy

On this podcast I spoke with James Persenaire, a district manager at FANUC America Corporation. James gave insight into the strengths and weaknesses of collaborative robots and how Fanuc’s collaborative robots differ from competitors such as Universal Robot. He also addressed misconceptions about traditional robots that they are expensive and dangerous. He emphasized that the integration of the robot is the primary factor in both its cost and safety.

What to Do About the Skilled Workers Shortage?

June 20, 2023 - 12:54pm -- Selcuk Gulboy
3d rendering cyborg control robot assembly line in car factory

The question seems as obvious as the sun in the sky. Our company can make more money if we can find skilled workers to run our machines. Where are they? 

What if that is the wrong question? 

What if there were a dozen questions and the simple, straightforward one was leading you into a brick wall? 

What if a better question was how much will it cost to hire the skilled workers I need? 

Change is Painful

June 14, 2023 - 1:38pm -- Selcuk Gulboy

For years, Graff-Pinkert has tried to convince customers who use 6-spindle Acme-Gridley or New Britain automatic screw machines that they would benefit from running Wickmans instead. 

Before I go any further with this spiel, I want to add that I have never run production, so I’m sure there are reasons why Wickmans are not always the best option. And, the point of this blog is a lot more than just a commentary on screw machines.

Manufacturing Parts for the Department of Defense, with Mike Topolewski—EP 189

June 8, 2023 - 1:53pm -- Selcuk Gulboy

Sometimes machining companies tell Graff-Pinkert they have long running, lucrative jobs supplying parts to the D.O.D., and it always has seemed a little mysterious to me. What are these parts they are supplying to the government? How does a company get to become a supplier to the D.O.D.?

Is supplying parts to the U.S. Government a good idea for a small-sized or medium-sized machining company?

Pages

Graff-Pinkert | 4161 166th Street, Suite B, Oak Forest, Illinois, USA 60452
Tel. 1-708-535-2200 | Fax 1-708-535-0103
Copyright © 2024 by Graff-Pinkert & Co., Inc., and its licensors. All rights reserved.
Best Chicago Web Design by MediaNut