Michael Kalter, president of the Dayton Tooling and Manufacturing Association, has worked in the manufacturing industry for more than 30 years. Starting out as an electrician at General Motors Corp., he moved through the industry to become an owner of Behm Quartz in Dayton. Also during his career he spent time in Africa working with the Peace Corp. and holding elected positions in Greene County.
Tunisia RPCV Michael Kalter, president of the Dayton Tooling and Manufacturing Association, has worked in the manufacturing industry for more than 30 years
Area manufacturers face changes, bright spots
Dayton Business Journal - July 13, 2007
by Tracy Kershaw-Staley
DBJ Staff Reporter
Michael Kalter, president of the Dayton Tooling and Manufacturing Association, has worked in the manufacturing industry for more than 30 years. Starting out as an electrician at General Motors Corp., he moved through the industry to become an owner of Behm Quartz in Dayton. Also during his career he spent time in Africa working with the Peace Corp. and holding elected positions in Greene County. Kalter talks about the industry, how it's changed and where he sees it going.
Q: How would you characterize the state of the local tooling and manufacturing industry in 2007?
A: The Dayton region is truly unique when it comes to manufacturing. There is so much manufacturing activity in this region and most of the folks I talk to that lead these operations tell me that business is good. The uniqueness of the Dayton region is the support and dedication of so many organizations and leaders.
Q: Do you expect it to stay the same or change? In what ways?
A: I expect that manufacturing will continue to change, I do not think that it can stay the same long. We are continuing to find new ways of manufacturing products, new technologies appear and we want to be the region that manufactures and brings the product to the market. There are many brilliant people in this business and I hear all the time from shops that if it can be made, it can be made in the Dayton region. This is not a boast it is a fact. Delphi and GM may be scaling back, but there is much more happening here that is positive.
Q: Do you expect to see consolidation in the local market? Why or why not?
A: There may be some consolidation in the local market but there is a great deal of entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity. I see companies in this region supporting the newer technologies and becoming stronger. There is a shrewd group of leaders in this region that closely watch trends and work hard to find ways to join or bring new manufacturing ideas and opportunities to the area. Shops today in this region depend on one another to assist them in performing work on a project they themselves cannot accomplish so when one company wins a new job it often means work for other shops and suppliers in this region.
Q: What are some of the bright spots in the industry?
A: There are many bright spots in the industry in this region; I cannot possibly name them all. UDRI gained funding on a sensor research program called IDCAST. Larrell Walters and his team are bringing jobs to the region through IDCAST that will have a very positive impact with new jobs in sensor technology, one of the fastest growing technologies in the world. UltraCell Corp. is now beginning to manufacture fuel cells and they are currently moving to their new location and hiring technicians. UltraCell is committed to finding key manufacturing partners in the region and many shops will benefit from their presence. The National Composite Center has had companies that primarily use composite materials pass through their incubator and grow to move out on their own.
Q: DTMA is waging a campaign to encourage people to go into the industry. How is that going?
A: The news we read has often been negative about manufacturing and the DTMA is working to let parents and young people know that there are manufacturing jobs available if you get the training. Manufacturing in this region is becoming very sophisticated, well beyond the assembly line work that it has always been associated with. Graduates of the local machining course programs are in demand and usually do not have a problem finding work. The problem has been companies finding enough skilled workers to meet the demand.
Q: What are the biggest skills needed in the industry?
A: The biggest skills sought after today is the knowledge of machining, programming, and engineering. The new machines today that cut material and shape it into product require training to learn to operate. The local high schools and Sinclair/AIM center do an excellent job preparing students to go into the shops and once there the students really begin to learn from the men and women who have years of experience behind them. These educators are continually seeking feedback from companies on how they can improve their training.
Q: How has the industry changed during your career?
A: The largest change I have seen in my career in manufacturing has been the growth in small to mid-size manufacturing and the decline of the large corporate manufacturers. The smaller companies make up the bulk of employers in this region in manufacturing. I have also seen the low tech, assembly type jobs move off shore and the high tech, high quality manufacturing jobs grow in demand.
Q: What are the major threats and opportunities for local tooling and manufacturing companies?
A: Threats to our local companies are the rising cost of energy, health care costs, availability of raw materials, excessive government regulations or interference, maintaining and growing a qualified skilled workforce. The companies in this region and throughout the U.S. are continually concerned with these issues.
E-mail tkershaw-staley@bizjournals. Call 528-4425.
