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Experience Exchange
Elliot Tool ’ s diamond brushing tool boring bar style .
they collaborate with their customers to design tools that meet their customers ’ needs and solve their problems . “ We manufacture all our products in-house . I have enjoyed learning about the heat exchanger and oil & gas industries . It has been really intriguing and kept me interested in staying in the industry .”
Challenging the challenges Navigating supply chain issues has become a common stance across most industries . “ Our purchasing department has experienced trouble finding materials , and they are facing higher prices . We are fortunate that we manufacture 95 % of our products in-house but if we have to deal with an outside vendor , it becomes more challenging .” “ We are always trying to find new approaches to make processes more efficient ,” said Lambers . “ But cost sometimes prevents innovation .” When there is an established way of doing things that have always worked , there can be resistance to new processes , especially if cost is involved . “ We try to find new ways to work with our customers to find new methods , tools , and processes . While that does take time , it is happening . We have worked with customers who will collaborate with us to test new products and even though they know the risk , they are excited about the opportunity and want to be part of innovation and development .” If a company is offline , they want to use what they know to get back online rather than use that moment to test something new . Lambers understands this view , but he is also intent on working with customers to improve innovation within the industry and accelerate the industry ’ s pace .
Savoring success Success to Lambers is being involved in the engineering of a product and watching that product come to fruition . Collaboration resulted in the development of a product customers can use that provides two different expansion methods on the same machine . “ It leads to lower cost of capital and still gives them options on either a parallel pin method or a traditional tapering pin .” “ The goal was to push the boundaries on essentially expanding more or greater length of tube within a single cycle to reduce the number of rolls or expansion cycles required to process or install tubes or tube sheets . It is about increasing productivity for our customers and reducing the time so that we can process these vessels and get them back into the field ,” continued Lambers .
Transfer of knowledge Lambers has witnessed firsthand the departure of experienced experts , and he knows through discussions with customers that they are living the same situation . He has also seen the arrival of younger engineers with inventive concepts , but the challenge is retaining these newer engineers . “ Incorporating cutting edge technology can be daunting for newcomers ,” said Lambers . “ Initiatives like organized group lunches to share ideas , information , and knowledge help to combat this . Application specialists help train new operators on best practices and tricks as a proactive approach to mitigate the shift . These are places to ask questions .” Lambers references “ lessons learned ” documentation that the more tenured employees contribute to the Elliott Tool database for newcomers to learn about the company ’ s tools , and why and how they are designed . Lambers ’ advice for the engineering field is to leave the desk and the office and see where the products will be used and where investors are placing their service . He advises those new to the industry to learn as much as they can about the applications , and approach everything with genuine curiosity . “ Do not be afraid to ask questions . Being reluctant to ask questions holds you back . Understanding how your role fits into the bigger picture influences other things around you . It drives a lot more excitement . Curiosity allows you to do a better job .”
Recognizing commonalities that power the future Lambers recognizes an industry in transition . There are now more options for energy , and their business is not immune to the changes . “ I really think there will be a push for improved efficiency , waste elimination , and reduced costs . There will be a push in our direction to improve design , serviceability , and longevity for the vessels in the field of service ,” said Lambers . Trying to succeed as an isolated entity does nothing to further the industry or those companies that operate within it . Leaving the silo and sharing ideas and philosophies regenerates an industry . “ There is a commonality between us and other companies , such as driving change and innovation , companies that want to work with the whole supply chain to propel improvements , and cost reduction to advance the industry . The success of the industry depends on its ability to innovate and reduce costs . I want to support that ,” Lambers concluded .
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