He also points out that the average age of staff is dropping significantly as it is filling up with young locals as opposed to veteran employees with tenure .
One thing in particular Warwood Tool has done to implement new ideas is launch an all-new product : the Perfect Axe , first developed in 1885 and now brought back with the tagline “ The Return of an Icon .”
Gavin Noel , vice president and general manager for Amsted Graphite Materials , says innovation is necessary for the graphite industry to succeed .
In order for new technology to develop , the company must continuously work to improve its processes and the raw materials it uses to produce graphite . That proves to be a particularly hot process , as graphite is manufactured in temperatures over 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit .
“ Our business has grown into new highly technical industries that demand high-quality graphite such as nuclear reactors and fuels , mass energy storage devices , ablatives and munitions for the U . S . and ally militaries and new technology SiC semiconductors ,” Noel says .
Star Plastics has made major strides in innovation by combining the worlds of recycling and technology , partnering with Lenovo to manufacture laptops
and other devices using redeveloped ocean waste .
During this process , upstream suppliers use state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment to give the plastic a stable physical property and bring it to the desired flammability rating after years of soaking in ocean water . Then , it can be recycled into electronic equipment .
“ Plastic accounts for more than 85 % of total marine waste . Lenovo has committed to ocean waste re-utilization for its product for years ,” says Mike Watson , director of business development for Star Plastics . “ Countries
Photo by Star Plastics .
Photo by Warwood Tool .
Photo by Amsted Graphite Materials .
around the world are now exploring opportunities to reduce plastic pollution .”
Since this new venture , five of Lenovo ’ s ThinkPad models are now partially manufactured from recycled ocean waste with Star reNova re-PCABS-FR2215 .
MHI RJ ’ s innovation move involves its expansion to West Virginia . This decision has helped the company grow its services , such as MRO activities on larger aircraft .
CRJ Series aircraft are the most successful regional jets , and MHI RJ hopes to continue innovation by growing its repairing capabilities for the CRJ Series family .
“ Our component , repair and overhaul capabilities have been a significant success , with our revenue in that area more than tripling in just two years ,” says Mike Genin , director of operations for the West Virginia Aircraft Service Center and MHI RJ . “ This is a massive expansion , demonstrating that when we focus on and target a market we want to go after using the infrastructure we have , we can gain market share quickly .”
Genin says that in the future , the company hopes to increase its number of structural repairs not just for its own inventory , but for any aircraft that may need it . The company can use the technology that has worked for so many years to help other platforms .
“ We are fully equipped to become the go-to MRO provider in the industry . We have the right people , technology , facilities and services to make it happen ,” Genin says .
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