Lending
Progress a Hand 1997
Diecutter/Diemaker of the Year
By Susan Friedman
- Mike Adams'
"why not" attitude and flair for sensible technology solutions
give rise to a strong voice for change in diecutting/diemaking.
Mike Adams founded Littleton, CO-based sales and marketing company Adams
Technologies, Inc., in December 1996, to help spearhead the growth of automated
rule bending equipment. Adams' new leadership role has led naturally to
increased involvement in IADD.
MIKE
ADAMS REMEMBERS
marveling at how one end of a diemaking facility he worked in housed diemakers
using rawhide mallets to pound steel rule, while the other end contained
state-of-the-art laser and CAD systems. "It was like high tech
and the stone age in the same building!" exclaims Adams.
With that
observation, Mike Adams' desire to help automate the rulebending process was
born--an impetus that propelled him to personal success with the 1996 launch of
his own diemaking equipment sales and marketing firm, Adams Technologies, Inc.
Adams' penchant for what he calls the "right technology" that truly
"improves products produced and the conditions under which people
work" has also come through in presentations and articles he has
contributed to the International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking (IADD).
This year, the organization recognizes Adams' commitment to diemaking's
advancement with his selection as Package Printing & Converting's 1997 IADD
Diecutter/Diemaker of the Year.
Forging
ahead
"Mike has
added much value to our industry and association through his knowledge of what
is needed for the future," says SouthEastern Die president Ken Holiday, who
nominated Adams for the award.
According to Adams' wife Ellen, his knack for effectively communicating to
further technology was evident early in his career. "He always worked
as a liaison between manufacturing and the shop...instructing customers about
equipment that provided modernization and efficiency, and returning customers'
feedback to manufacturing," she comments.
Over the years, Adams has employed customer needs as a platform to lobby for
more user-friendly CAD software, plotters with larger beds and a more versatile,
three point automated rule bender.
Through Adams Technologies, Adams strives to provide "the best products for
automation," citing health problems a lot of diemakers have in later years
as a result of repeated handbending.
Adams sizes up the industry's current attitude toward technology as a similar to
the mindset of the workers who dug the Erie Canal, using manually-pushed donkey
carts that could tip over and cause fatal injuries. When bulldozers were
suggested as a safer alternative, the workers vehemently protested.
"I look at the possibilities and say 'why not,' even in the face of
resistance from diemakers," Adams says. Presently Adams Technologies
imports and markets the EasyBender and the EasyCutter from Korea, but plans are
brewing for the manufacture of new products.
Great
exchanges
Adams' new
entrepreneurship was a catalyst for his deepest involvement with IADD activities
since he joined in 1987. A frequent speaker at seminars, technical
programs and chapter meetings, Adams has addressed such topics as
"Automated Data Collection and Statistical Processing Control," "Samplemaking,
Plotters and Lasers," and "The Future of Rule Processing."
A current member of IADD's Publications Committee, Adams has penned numerous
features for the association's peer journal The Cutting Edge. He has most
recently offered expertise on using workflow process analysis to maximize
automation benefits; producing superior steel rule dies; and writing a sales and
marketing plan.
"Mike's tightly written articles address topical issues and areas of
interest to industry business leaders, and they promote the kind of global and
visionary thinking that is needed to stay competitive," says Cindy
Crouse, IADD's executive director.
There are many facets to Adams' enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge.
"We all need to give something back," he states, emphasizing that
exchanging information prompts others to reciprocate, creating educational tools
and fostering enhanced reputations for all who participate. Adams believes
"diemakers really wish their customers understood their business," and
educational outreach can help realize their goal.
True
aspirations
Southeastern
Die's Holliday comments that Adams "has distinguished himself as an
individual with high regard for honesty and integrity."
Perhaps that's why Adams doesn't sing technology's praises for technology's
sake. To ensure a successful upgrade, he stresses that a purchaser
must be clear on what a technology can accomplish. "In many cases,
people don't think technology through before they get involved," he states.
I've seen people buy a new piece of equipment to solve people problems. It
won't."
Adams also uses honesty to guide his choice of industry role models. Those
he respects most, such as Herb Welsch, president of Atlas Die, and Southeastern
Die's Holliday, have shown him a straight forward approach to improving
diemaking processes with new products. He says both men demonstrate that
"it is possible to differentiate yourself from the crowd by letting
customers know that you don't produce a commodity product."
Adams' appreciation for process-savvy entrepreneurs extends to Thomas Edison,
whom he envies for establishing the first true R&D facility. He sees
Edison, too, as "a technician who developed products from processes."
Management guru Peter Drucker also tops Adams' respected figures list.
Adams even created his own rendition of a Drucker maxim that he views as an IADD
mission statement: "The purpose of an organization is to enable
ordinary people to do extraordinary things," reads his version.
A fitting example of this group philosophy at work, Adams heartily emphasizes
IADD's role in his success. "To improve, you should be around people
you want to be like," he says. "Frankly, these are the people I
want to be like."
