Manufacturing Design Engineers often design parts out of stock material, metal parts that in practicality would be more efficiently and cost effectively produced as an Investment Casting. This happens because of the familiarity and abundance of machining facilities compared to the relatively small quantity and less understood advantages of Investment Casting operations. Similarly, the conversion of fabrications to castings is often a logical transition for many complex fabrications. In that never-ending quest to increase efficiencies and lower costs, companies are discovering the value Investment Castings can bring to their product lines.

SPOKANE INDUSTRIES specializes in bringing near net shape casting production to the marketplace through our Precision Investment Castings Division. SPOKANE PRECISION CASTINGS can minimize dimensional tolerances without machining or other subcontracting methods so that you may have a finished product ready for rapid assembly. Were able to produce parts that weigh from 80 pounds to as little as a few grams. In many cases, injecting multiple pieces or several different parts in a single die saves additional operations and reduces costs.

SPOKANE PRECISION CASTINGS offers an almost endless array of alloys. Precipitation Hardening Alloys, Carbon Steels, Low Alloy, 17-4, Tool Steels, Silicon Brass, 300 and 400 Series Stainless Steels, and most other air melts are common. We offer an endless number of commercial applications from the dental, military, food, automotive, and oil industries, to name a few. Our real forte is to get involved at the engineering genesis by taking multiple metal components that may currently be machined or fabricated and design them together. We can then create a single near net shape casting. This eliminates multiple operations, saves money, time and energy - to bring savings to the bottom line for our customers.

Converting fabrications to castings brings a multitude of benefits to a manufacturer. Investment Castings can oftentimes be designed with less material, much stronger, creating less weight and at the same time lower failure rates. In addition, a single casting can often times be designed to do the entire job where there are multiple parts creating a fabrication. This results in assembly lower overhead, time savings, simplified workflow and improves uniformity and aesthetics.

SPOKANE PRECISION CASTINGS cross-trains its workforce to a high degree. Employees are encouraged to move from department to department throughout our production areas where strong visual and written controls facilitate process standardization. SPOKANE PRECISION CASTINGS has implemented many Lean Manufacturing processes where continuous improvement is ongoing and reducing variables ultimately drives lower costs.

SPOKANE PRECISION CASTINGS is augmented by in-house capabilities including full dimensional layout, machining, x-ray, spectrometer and Non-Destructive Testing of mechanical properties. We also perform Magnetic Particle Inspection, liquid penetrant and utilize heat-treat facilities both contractually and internally.

SPOKANE PRECISION CASTINGS has been part of the Spokane Industries family for 18 years. SPOKANE INDUSTRIES, its parent company, has been in the foundry industry since the 1952. This offers full access to a large and diversified engineering department with the latest in CAD/CAM and Flow Test Analysis. We accept a large array of electonic files as well as your CAD/CAM files so that we can rapidly prototype and meet your specifications and schedules.

Jeff Kuntz, Spokane Precision Castings Production Manager states, SPOKANE PRECISION CASTINGS has been working with industries from military grade castings ” like Class II Armor Certified, to dental equipment castings with high esthetic appeal. Were accustomed to producing quantities that range from low volume/high variety to commodity products that range up to 80 thousand Investment Castings every month. Our goal is to exceed the customers expectations at every opportunity.

The combination of all of our in-house capabilities along with some local strategic partners help us stand alone in the marketplace and adds to our ability to help our customers meet their ever changing needs. Starting with our customers drawings and vision, we strive to meet all of your Investment Casting needs.

Bottom line ” faster R & D, first articles get to you faster and ultimately saves you time and money. Isnt that what its really all about?

For many manufacturing workshops, choosing a well designed, cost effective material handling solution is critical to streamlining workflow and maximizing productivity. In today’s marketplace, there are multiple options, but ceiling mounted workstation cranes are a very common and popular solution. These inexpensive ceiling mounted cranes, generically called “overhead bridge cranes,” are efficiently moved by the worker’s own power and have proven to be the ideal material handling solutions for many companies because they can streamline and maximize productivity, while adding little to the cost of the process.

Limited work space is a problem on many manufacturing floors. Overhead crane systems are a perfect solution - they provide necessary coverage without the use of support columns. Ceiling mounted systems can also be linked to a monorail or crane that uses interlock sections, making them a welcome addition to existing efficient processes.

Overhead crane systems are supported by the existing building structure instead of requiring support columns. Consult with a qualified architect or engineer for the first step in deciding if an overhead crane system is the right solution for your company. These professionals are the right people to determine if your building structure is able to support the crane system.

When choosing an overhead crane for your workshop, there are several factors to consider. Crane capacity is the first point to consider. Buying higher capacities than required creates extra load weight and leads to dead weight on the bridge. This requires more weight for the operator to move a load, though typically only one percent of the actual force weight is required for movement.

Height, width, and length are also three major points of consideration for companies considering an overhead crane solution. Height is measured from the floor to the point from which a hoist is suspended, while the length of a crane runway is determined by the specific area requiring coverage. Width of an overhead crane is determined by the length of the bridge between the centers of two runways.

In addition to size factors, there are many different types of overhead cranes to fit the custom challenges of most manufacturing workshops. If your company needs a crane solution for load transportation, overhead cranes create easy, ergonomic movement for most operators. Companies that have a fast paced working environment could find manual overhead cranes to be a better solution than motorized cranes because they tend to operate more quickly.

That said, motorized systems are better for moving heavier loads. Transporting 1000, 2000, or 4000 pound objects? Motorized systems are perfect for these jobs. Bridge travel typically leads to the need for a motorized system, especially when it travels across an inaccessible area.

Overhead cranes are the best solution for workshops that require cost effective solutions for handling materials. Proper consultation should be done before shopping for a solution as there are many overhead crane options. Make sure the solution you select is the best for your manufacturing jobs.

The Investment Symposium and China Consumer Gods Fair have been a solid platform for Chinese entrepreneurs to showcase themselves and their advanced products. Despite the influence of the international economic environment, the exhibiting companies their talents in seeking opportunities.

Electrical household appliances like electric irons and vacuum cleaners are some important products for export in Ningbo. Therefore on the Consumer Goods Fair the companies of small household appliances are competing to acquire new clients and receive more substantial orders. Then how can they trust into the future with the slumping global economy and crisis “made in USA”?

An director of an Electric Appliance Company said,

“We are working to upgrade our product structure through research and development and training of human resources, in an effort to expand the market share. We don’t simply downsize personnel or reduce costs to cut down the price. We focus more on technical capabilities and try to increase our product versatility and the popularity”.

With influence of the financial crisis products like vacuum cleaners facing some additional difficulties in export. But by learning about the needs of clients, companies improved their products at the end of last year. Though the price is two dollars higher than before, it is more welcome among foreign customers.

By increasing the added value of products, the companies keep to the strategy of going global. This is happening regardless of the financial crisis.

In the international hall of the ZJITS, we see the London Development Council that is responsible for the business promotion of the London 2012 Olympics. This is the first time they have participated in the ZJITS. The London Olympics Organizing Committee has got 2000 direct contracts and 7000 sub-contracts. For those companies having experience in the Beijing Olympics, the London Olympics really offers a big cake.

Improvements of the investment environment make it easy to move your business to China. Mrs. Groemminger, Vice Chairman of the foreign Chamber Of Commerce and a business consultant in Ningbo - China for over 10 years mentioned, that all you need is a reliable consultant and accounting. With the right connections, confident, attitude and trust, you can make things really happen. Now is the right time to go ahead and make the change. China government is even offering free office space to companies for easy settling down. Even a small budget can get you go far. If it is too late for you to keep your company surviving in your original country, save your patents and bran name and move to China. People like her will help you to get it done the right way.[I:http://semcor.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/MikeEckhards5.jpg]

Saving on your electricity bill and protecting the environment are more important than ever, especially in these more competitive markets. Even when the economical crisis are coming to an end, investors will be more sensitive in spending money. Even in countries that did not buy too many products from China, the reputation of industrial products is strongly increasing.[youtube:jIVcAtFzJnw;Ningbo, Xinda, Screw Air Compressor, VSD;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIVcAtFzJnw&feature=related]

AUGUST brand screw compressors are such winners in the competition game. Since the beginning of the global downturn, AUGUST was able to establish dealerships in Israel, Spain, Malaysia, UAE and developing the markets in Italy, Russia and Latin America. To meet the different requirements of such regions, the company can provide CE and ASME certification.

In over 36 years of production experience in combination with in-house research and development, high tech machinery equipment and the sense for doing the right thing at the right time have put the AUGUST brand into a strong position.

Pricing benefits of the AUGUST Variable Speed Drive compressors VSD e-saver, are enabling the distributors to offer a VSD e-saver compressor at a price which is highly competitive to other brands “regular” screw compressors. Furthermore the compressors are coming with a 5 year warranty on the screw.

VSD e-saver are designed to save up to 33% of energy and extending the overall lifetime of the compressor by about 20%. Considering the efficiency and pricing, the payback period for this VSD e-saver Screw Compressor is estimated by 2-3 years. In fact an investment that gives you the money back right away.[I:http://semcor.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/FrankBerger0.jpg]

Different countries have different frequencies. VSD compressor technology can be used in 50Hz and 60 Hz. This is giving more opportunity to the distributors to expand the business.

AUGUST brand is currently wiling to negotiate distributorships for a number of selected countries. Besides an existing sales force, the applicant should also be in a position to provide professional and reliable after sales service.

Interested companies should get in touch with the German Marketing manager at fax 86-574-88336161 phone 86-574-88336868 or at - export@xindaworld.com - for more information about the company and the benefits of VSD. http://xinda-lg.en.made-in-china.com

The event and meeting planning industry is worth a billion dollars and one of the most profitable businesses in the hospitality and management domain. Event planners have a wonderful time putting together meetings, parties and functions, and having fun while at work.

A career in meeting and event planning can be highly rewarding and the perks that come along with the job are awesome. However before plunging into the world of meeting and event planning, you need to understand the pros and cons of the industry. What is event planning and what really do these meeting and event planners do?

Event or meeting management is an important part of the service industry that caters to the need of different customers who wish to organize a special event. The clients could be corporations, non-profits, individuals, or even government organizations. It is rightly said that human beings are social animals who feel the need to get together and discuss business or celebrate an occasion.

Corporate events could range from training and development seminars, exhibitions, induction programs to incentive travel trips. Individual clients could have requests for organizing events such as weddings, family reunions, birthday parties or anniversaries. Government organizations could have an event to mark an important occasion or holiday.

There is no end to the number of events or meetings that could come up. The rich and diverse event planning industry offers multiple career opportunities for eager, enthusiastic, and responsible individuals.

Event planners often specialize in specific event management fields, such as weddings, corporate parties, conventions, business seminars, incentive travel programs, etc. However it is always better to have diverse knowledge of different kinds of events. This way the event planner acquires sufficient experience and is able to handle any given situation or type of event at any given point of time.

One of the top reasons for the success of the meeting and event planning industry is its increasing popularity with corporations. Most companies do not have the time or resources to plan a large event that involves entertaining hundreds or thousands of people. They will more often outsource the work to an event planning company or an independent event planner.

The current economic crisis has resulted in a decrease in assets under management and a decline in revenue for financial planning and advice firms. The crisis has also resulted in a decline of new potential revenue inflows into funds under advice due to an estimated decrease in discretionary income.

Since industry profitability and financial advisor productivity (due to spending more time reassuring clients) are expected to decline, experienced financial advisors currently are in very high demand.

There is high demand for experience financial advisors since they have higher assets under management, higher productivity, and significantly lower training costs. They also are more likely to receive new business from new clients interested in better asset management and from baby boomers interested in estate planning and retirement services.

Most importantly, experienced financial advisors generate large amounts of revenue from well established client bases by providing complex services to both high net worth and corporate clients - market segments that generate over 57% of the US financial planning and advice revenue.

A shortage of seasoned financial advisors exists although financial planning and advice industry’s employment has been growing. Industry recruitment cut backs in early 2000 and retirement are factors that have contributed to the shortage.

Likewise, instead of hiring and training more inexperienced advisors with lower assets under management and fewer clients, firms within this industry decided that it was more attractive to acquire advisors through acquisitions; contributing to the consolidation that has been taking place in the financial planning and advice industry.

Recently the addition of online access to advisory services, call centers, and teams (groups of advisors serving clients) has also occurred to decrease costs via greater economies of scale as a result of consolidation.

Since the fortunes of this industry are tied to the wealth of the population (which is expected to take time to recover), what else can firms do to control costs and overcome a shortage of experienced financial advisors during this period of declining revenue?

News April 28, Nortel Networks is an application to allow the Ontario Court to be extended for three months of bankruptcy protection, as Nortel Networks are working to develop a viable restructuring plan.

Supervision of a court-appointed Nortel Networks restructuring in Canada, Ernst & Young of the body to the Ontario Court articles said, Nortel Networks restructuring design furthermore need to boost the allowance of time in alignment to evolve a scheme acquiesced to the reorganization.

Nortel Networks in January of this year in the United States and Canada to apply for bankruptcy protection. In February this year, Nortel Networks in Canada’s bankruptcy protection was a three-month extension. The deadline for Nortel Networks in May 1 to submit a reorganization plan. However, Ernst & Young said in the document, Nortel Networks need until July 30 so that business can be ready.

It is widely speculated Nortel Networks will sell its three main business of one or two to help it more than 10 billion dollars to repay debt. However, so far there have been no transactions.

Nortel Networks in Research Triangle Park (Research Triangle Park) has 2000 employees, mostly the output of gear required for large-scale enterprises. The procedure of this part has been good in the heart of Nortel Networks enterprise unit. Declared bankruptcy defence after the sale of Nortel Networks may be in this part may furthermore be the centre part as its maintained.

News April 28, Nortel Networks is an application to allow the Ontario Court to be extended for three months of bankruptcy protection, as Nortel Networks are working to develop a viable restructuring plan.

Supervision of a court-appointed Nortel Networks restructuring in Canada, Ernst & Young of the body to the Ontario Court documents said, Nortel Networks restructuring plan also need to increase the amount of time in order to develop a strategy agreed to the reorganization.

Nortel Networks in January of this year in the United States and Canada to ask for for bankruptcy protection. In February this year, Nortel Networks in Canada’s bankruptcy security was a three-month extension. The deadline for Nortel Networks in May 1 to submit a reorganization plan. However, Ernst & Young said in the written material, Nortel Networks need until July 30 in order that enterprise can be ready.

It is widely speculated Nortel Networks will sell its three main business of one or two to help it more than 10 billion dollars to repay debt. However, so far there have been no transactions.

Nortel Networks in Research Triangle Park (Research Triangle Park) has 2000 personnel, chiefly the goods produced of apparatus wanted for large-scale enterprises. The performance of this subdivision has been good in the heart of Nortel Networks enterprise unit. Declared bankruptcy security after the sale of Nortel Networks may be in this subdivision may in addition be the quintessence subdivision as its maintained.

U.S. study organisations are recorded on the 6th lead to a economic urgent position subprime mortgage 25 fee bureaus, and that behind these organisations, banks and gigantic economic support.

Headquartered in Washington, public agents dependable, said the Institute, as asserted by government facts and numbers, the investigators investigated 2005 to 2007 between the issue of millions of subprime borrowings, 25 times the last credits register “culprit.” A total of 25 bureaus that almost one trillion U.S. dollars handed out subprime borrowings, about gathering the 72% of the total loan.

Issuance of sub-loan is the greatest fiscal financial gatherings, the allotment of a least 97.2 billion U.S. dollars; Ameriquest Mortgage and New Century Financial Group 80.6 billion to 75.9 billion U.S. dollars and are second and third.

The investigators sharp out that numerous of these sub-loan organisations from the United States and Europe all banks or mortgage banks obtain powerful support. Those who support the second-largest bank lending organisations to try to depict themselves as victims of the economic urgent position, in detail, lead to sub-loan urgent position of the “accomplices.

May 10 Xinhua China Banking Association, the first time on the 10th, “the report of the social responsibility of China’s banking sector.” The report from the banking sector to contribute to economic and social development, stakeholder responsibility, the cause of devotion to charity, to support environmental protection and social responsibility of the management of the banking sector, the introduction of China’s banking industry to fulfill their social responsibilities related to the situation.

The report shows that in 2008, banking financial institutions, the amount of charitable contributions would reach 10.1 billion yuan, donor projects covering education, culture, sports, health, science and technology, environmental protection and many other fields and industries. One disaster to the distribution of frozen rain and snow disaster relief and reconstruction of more than 100 billion yuan loans to Wenchuan, “5.12″ earthquake-stricken areas large reconstruction loans issued 118.657 billion yuan, more than 900 million yuan donations for the reconstruction of disaster areas to provide a strong financial support.

Improvement in the endorsement of people’s livelihood, in 2008, the banking development through the provision of small-scale fiscal services to support low-cost dwellings makeup, for instance support for separate someone entrepreneurship and the characteristics of divergent sorts of loan to help hampered gatherings to enhance and hoist the yardstick of living. Banking fiscal schools to put in all varieties of total 540 billion yuan of dwellings provident account advances, advance more than four million families for dwellings provident account procedure development and people’s households to give a tough fiscal support.

Underdeveloped areas and poor in accordance with the actual situation in the mountains, in 2008, banking financial institutions to carry out targeted credit support to ensure that the construction of infrastructure, drinking water, basic education, such as cultivation of keeping the implementation of poverty alleviation projects for less developed regions and poor conditions of mountain people to create wealth, a number of state-owned commercial banks is also under the Poverty Alleviation Office of the State Council launched a fixed-point plan to help the poor. National student loan payment of which 19.34 billion yuan, covering most of higher education institutions, the recipients were more than two million students.

In 2008, the China Banking Association has liberated “China’s banking subdivision fiscal schools, company public liability guidelines,” Banking and fiscal schools to bear out company public liability of the organisation methods and procedures were proposed. At present, some of the greatest economic banks have been distributed a public liability, and public oversight in the endorsement of progress.

China Banking Association, a full-time re-Ping Yang, vice leader of the “social blame accounts of China’s banking sector” seminar sharp out that in 2008, China’s banking commerce under the authority of the China Banking Regulatory Commission, to fulfill their communal responsibilities gravely, broadly identified by society. As banks and between banks, community banks and a connection, the China Banking Association, the future will, as habitually, with the constituents of the community work simultaneously to perform the blame of the banks to better assist the financial and communal development, the accomplishment of financial effectiveness and communal harmony.