Ronson Gears 'Gear Whispers' April 2016

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PAGE 01 GEAR WHISPERS – APRIL 2016 Ronson Gears fit for the future GEARWHISPERS PAGE 4 Aiming high in Aerospace PAGE 6 Farewell Terry! PAGE 5 Gordon New honoured by AGMA appointment ALSO IN THIS ISSUE APRIL 2016

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Transcript of Ronson Gears 'Gear Whispers' April 2016

Page 1: Ronson Gears 'Gear Whispers' April 2016

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PRIL 2016 Ronson Gears fit for the future

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PAGE 4 Aiming high in Aerospace

PAGE 6 Farewell Terry!

PAGE 5 Gordon New honoured by AGMA appointment

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE

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Managing Director, Gordon New on how Ronson are moving up a gear

Contents

Ronson Gears expects improvement in business conditions this year and have seven new employees to meet the demand. Four apprentices, a very capable trades technician, a process engineer and quality officer have come on-board to strengthen our capabilities. Our investment in people and leading technology continues to raise the bar on our service offerings to customers.

We are looking forward to building on the valuable partnerships being established through collaboration with like-minded businesses. Such partnerships enable the sharing of complimentary resources, both technological and knowledge, allowing stakeholders to increase offerings to potential customers.

And finally, we announce that after nearly 50 years of valuable contribution to the growth of our company, Terry

New, my brother and co-director, has decided to hang up his Vernier. Although we are sad to see him go, Terry’s departure triggers another phase of our succession plan, allowing our young management team to step up to the plate and take greater control; a task they are ready for.

You can read about Terry’s journey and the great contribution he has made to the growth of our business in the separate article.

Thank you Terry from all of us for your wonderful input and we wish you a long, happy and peaceful retirement.

Best regards to all and may you enjoy a very successful and prosperous year ahead.

Gordon New

All of us at Ronson Gears have entered 2016 with great optimism as you will see in the articles contained in this edition of Gear Whispers.

You’ll learn of our continued efforts to remain your trusted partner in the supply of critical components; about our continued thrust into the Aerospace and Defence Industries with the appointment of agents in the UK; about our continued commitment to our existing and future customers by way of investing in the most advanced manufacturing technology; and about the continuation of our international connections with my support of the AGMA Foundation and our young employee, James Judd’s visit to Gear Expo in Detroit.

PAGE 2 Managing Director, Gordon New on how Ronson are moving up a gear

PAGE 3 Investment that will pay dividends for our customers

PAGE 4 The sky’s the limit for Ronson in aerospace and defence

PAGE 4 Investing in new markets – expanding into Europe

PAGE 5 Honoured with appointment in AGMA’s centennial year

PAGE 5 We’re on board Mr Turnbull

PAGE 6 Making all the right connections in 2015

PAGE 6 Employee milestones

PAGE 6 Farewell Terry

DIRECTOR’S CUT

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INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY

Ronson’s commitment to shorter lead times, world’s best practice and to the international aerospace industry is demonstrated by our acquisition of the STUDER S145 CNC internal cylindrical grinding machine. It is manufactured in Switzerland by Studer, renowned worldwide for producing market leading grinding machines. The STUDER S145 can work to extremely tight tolerances demanded by sectors such as aerospace.

For our customers, the STUDER S145 will enable Ronson to improve lead times and pricing. It will provide us with better control over our processes and ensure further efficiency in our daily workflow.

This kind of capability helps Ronson to make the on-going transition to more technically demanding industry sectors.

INVESTING IN PEOPLE

An important part of our operation and instrumental to its success and yours is, of course, our people. Without the right people our service offering would be limited. Ronson puts great importance on training and supporting young men and women keen to learn all they can about our industry. It will be these people that will safeguard risk and see Ronson Gears advancing to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Investment that will pay dividends for our customers

We were pleased to announce the employment of two first year apprentices and one third year apprentice in 2015. We hope that Dean, Tim and Zac follow in the footsteps of James Judd. James began an apprenticeship with Ronson five years ago and now heads our Gear Manufacturing Section.

In October 2015, James attended Gear Expo in Detroit. Whilst there, he attended numerous workshops and meetings to further his gear knowledge. This knowledge will enable him to make more informed decisions around efficiently and effectively moving your work through our gear manufacturing department.

He then took a flight to Chicago and drove over to our good friends at Forest City Gear, Gleason Cutting Tools and Excel Gear. More beneficial experience to help his career and your experience with Ronson Gears.

INVESTING IN PROCESSES

Ronson has adopted a Lean Manufacturing Culture. The philosophy is based on incremental improvements to the manufacturing process rather than radical change.

It will enable Ronson to achieve a more efficient process from initial order to the finished product. Gavin New, from our Sales and Marketing department, endorses the adoption of our ‘lean culture’ having seen it work in similar companies in the US. ‘It highlighted that we needed to implement standards around cleanliness, lead times and efficiencies not only to benefit ourselves but our customers. It’s all part of a philosophy of continual improvement.’

This philosophy saw 14 of our dedicated staff members take time out of their weekend in February to attend an internally run Continual Improvement workshop.

The objective was to produce an Action Plan that would enable Ronson Gears to continue to improve efficiencies and to reduce waste (cost). Small teams walked the shop floor and admin areas to highlight where they felt we could improve. From there we identified the eight most important areas of improvement and developed an action plan.

The hard work starts now but we are confident that what was put in place on that day will enable us to continue to offer a quality product, produced in the most efficient manner which will ultimately underpin our customer’s success.

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Another exciting development at Ronson Gears are our plans to expand into the UK and Northern Europe. We are confident that the demand and size of this market is sufficient to make it a very attractive opportunity for the company. We are therefore in the process of establishing a presence there with marketing activity, branding and a separate website.

Key to all this, is our appointment of Newland Hardwick to manage our entry into the market. Martin Farmer and Andrew Williams specialise in marketing, sales and bid programme management. They have extensive expertise in the aerospace and defence sector, having held key roles at Rolls Royce before setting up their consultancy. With over 30 years of industry experience, their knowledge and network of industry contacts will be invaluable to our success in this region.

It’s easy to see the potential in the aerospace and defence sectors. The aerospace industry alone is worth several hundred billion dollars. According to Deloitte the outlook is healthy with growth for the year around 3%. Ronson Gears are now well positioned to play an ever greater role in all this with our focus on new technology, skills and customer requirements.

FLYING HIGH WITH AS9100 AND ISO9001 AUDIT

Key accreditations are vital in reducing risk if we are going to be selected by procurers in aerospace and defence. As part of this, we underwent a two-day surveillance audit for AS9100 and ISO9001 recently. These quality standards are designed to help organisations ensure that they meet the needs of customers and stakeholders as well as statutory and regulatory requirements. We are happy to say that everything went well with this extensive audit of our procedures, practices and capabilities.

JUDGE US BY THE COMPANY WE KEEP

With a list of end-users including Raytheon, Joy Mining, Siemens, Boeing Defence Systems and Lockheed Martin, we are trusted by many who require high-precision components and gears in their respective applications.

We have also been making vital new contacts and potential partners with our high-profile attendance at key international Aerospace and Defence events. You can get a flavour of this in the article on page 6, ‘Making all the right connections’ – which outlines our 2015/2016 calendar.

The sky’s the limit for Ronson in aerospace and defence

Investing in new markets – expanding into Europe

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There seems to be a groundswell of positive sentiment in Australia with 2015 seeing the appointment of new Prime Minister, Mr Malcolm Turnbull. His clarion call has been to build on traditional core values of innovation and resourcefulness and make Australia an ‘innovation nation’. This call is being well and truly answered here at Ronson Gears.

Technology will be the vehicle for this innovation economy and Ronson has been embracing this enthusiastically with large levels of investment in technology and training throughout 2015. Our commitment to training is our part in an industry-wide drive to bring new blood into the sector and safeguard our position as a key manufacturing nation. At a corporate level, it means we have the expert personnel our customers can depend on.

Mr Turnbull went on to say in his ‘innovation statement’ that the changes would help Australia transition away from the mining boom. “What is going to drive Australian prosperity in the years ahead? How does our economy transition?” Mr Turnbull said at the launch of the plan inside the CSIRO in Canberra.

Even before Mr. Turnbull made his statement, Ronson adopted a strategy to help us make that kind of transition. Whilst we continue to serve key customers in mining and other traditional industries, we have been expanding into new sectors requiring different technological capability such as aerospace and defence. We can report that we are gaining a greater proportion of business in these sectors and have the technology and expertise to advance your mechanical competitive advantage.

We have also been driving business beyond our shores. Implementing a strategy of expansion into new markets in the US and Europe to provide customers there with pathways to Ronson’s expertise.

Ronson are at the forefront of this new agenda for a nation of innovators and as a result we are confident your product will experience a performance advantage.

We’re on board Mr Turnbull

Ronson Gears’ Managing Director, Gordon New, continues his involvement in the international gear industry by sitting on the Board of Trustees of the AGMA Foundation. Having spent four years on the AGMA Board of Directors, Gordon is pleased to be able to make further contribution to the industry he is passionate about.

The AGMA Foundation supports and strengthens education, training and research for the gear industry and provides for the advancement of gear science, standards and education.

In 1994, AGMA members established the AGMA Foundation to allow corporations and individuals to make contributions that advance the gear industry through research and education projects. Over the past 17 years, the Foundation has raised more than 2.5 million dollars to fulfil its mission.

“The foundation provides a vital source of funding to help students access qualifications and experience in engineering. This is

particularly important when we consider the dearth of younger people taking STEM subjects and going on to take up roles in our industry,” said Ronson’s Managing Director, Gordon New.

We would like to offer our congratulations to Gordon on his appointment and an endorsement of his valued participation on the Foundation’s Board. We know he will be keen to add his efforts and expertise to such a worthwhile cause.

Ronson Gears is proud to support both the AGMA Foundation and the AGMA’s Centennial celebrations as a sponsor.

(Ronson Gears is also an Associate member of Eurotrans – the European Committee for the Power Transmission Industry)

Honoured with appointment in AGMA’s centennial year

2016 is AGMA’s centennial year. The American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA) began on the cutting edge of new technologies in 1916, when nineteen companies came together to form an association to create the first gearing standards. Today, membership has grown to more than 470 members who remain focused in their endeavour to provide new technologies and to continue at the forefront of power transmission.

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Employee milestones Farewell TerryRonson Gears are pleased to recognise the contribution made over the

years of these key employees who have reached milestones in service.

5 YEARS

– James Judd – Daniel Ketteridge

Both employees started and completed their apprenticeships with Ronson and are showing great potential with James now leading our Gear Manufacturing section and Daniel quickly becoming our expert in all areas of grinding (gear and cylindrical grinding).

TIM CANDY

Tim runs our dispatch area and has also seen promotion along his journey. He ensures our customer’s goods are expertly packed so they arrive in pristine condition and in a timely manner. Often customers comment on the quality of our packing and Tim (and his offsider Ken) are to thank for that!

15 YEARS Onie De Jesus

Onie is our senior bookkeeper and is of great value to Ronson Gears. Her attention to detail is her greatest strength and she is a pleasure to work with day in, day out.

25 YEARS Martyn Boatwood

Martyn is a key member of our Gear Cutting department as a Senior Tradesmen. Martyn possesses great skill on both our manual and CNC gear cutting machines and has played a major role in training apprentices over the years as well as leading the department at different stages. His loyalty over the 25 years is obviously his greatest strength and Ronson Gears is grateful for the service he continues to provide our customers, his fellow employees and the company as a whole.

Ronson says a fond Goodbye to our Director of Sales and Marketing, Terry New.

After 46 years at Ronson Gears, Terry New has decided to take a well-earned retirement. Terry started at Ronson Gears in 1970. Now, to put that in perspective, John Gorton was the Australian Prime Minister, Lee Marvin was No.1 with ‘Wandering Star’ and the first microprocessor was about to be introduced! We hope that doesn’t make you feel too old Terry but at least it does demonstrate you have given a great period of service!

Terry says that his decision to retire was not taken lightly. ‘It was tough, as I had many doubts but after working through those I am comfortable with the decision. This has been helped by my

Making all the right connectionsIn 2015, Ronson Gears had a rather full calendar of events with a focus on aerospace and defence, and this year we will continue to undertake trips around Australia and the world to meet with prospective customers and valued existing customers. Check out the following timeline which provides an overview of where we’ve been, and where we plan on going in 2016.

Year 2015 Feb/Mar ‘15

Avalon 2015 was an opportunity to showcase brand and expertise to major aerospace and defence industry manufacturers operating in Australia and South East Asia.

Mar ‘15

At the Hannover Messe Exhibition 2015 Gordon New saw the potential of embracing emergent technologies – automated processes and digital integration.

May ‘15

NWM 2015 generated significant interest in both our KHK Stock Gears and Custom Gearing capability.

Apr ‘15

Gordon New was one of the delegates at The 3rd International Drive Technology meeting in Germany and was interviewed by MDA Technologies for his perspective.

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confidence in the ability of Gordon and the young, focussed management team. I have little doubt they will lead the company successfully through a period where we will see many changes and innovations. To this end, we are continuing to invest in these tough times knowing that this is the key to the future.’

‘Mind you, there’s a few things I won’t miss!’ says Terry jokingly. ‘Namely, Gordon telling me off for not printing on both sides of the paper, the distractions of the open plan office, computers and mountains of emails!’

‘Seriously though, I am going to miss the interaction with customers, suppliers and work colleagues the most. I’ll also miss the distinctive smell of the place – it’s been with me for 46 years!’

‘If I had to pick out the greatest achievement, I think it would be the purchase of our very first CNC controlled gear cutting machine in 1995 (a Gleason Phoenix 125). The process was one of my fondest memories and had me travelling to Milan to work with the late Barry Jones of Gleason, Australia – a real inspiration. The purchase marked a real turning point in the capabilities of the company and I was proud to be a part of it. It continues to cut drive shafts for the latest model Corvette!’

We hope you join with all our customers, suppliers and staff at Ronson Gears in wishing Terry a long and happy retirement and thanking him for the outstanding contribution and level of service he has given the company.

Stephen Bell and Gavin New will continue to uphold the values of Ronson Gears and to offer the level of service you would have been accustomed to from Terry. They come with vast experience built up over the last 15 years at Ronson and look forward to working with you.

Terry and Old Friends at Ronson Gears

Year 2016 April ‘16

BAE organised mission to Japan

Jul ‘16

The Farnborough AirShow (UK) and subsequent visits to companies in the Netherlands and Germany.

Oct ‘15

Pacific 2015 leant impetus to discussions and networking and valuable relationships were formed at our stand.

May ‘16

The American Gear Manufacturers Association’s Annual Meeting (USA – Florida)

Sep ‘16

Land Forces exhibition, Adelaide, SA.

Thank you all for catching up last year and we hope to see more of you again this year as we travel the world.

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SRONSONGEARS.COMTelephone: +61 (0) 3 9276 8900 Facsimile: +61 (0) 3 9555 7480

[email protected]

18 Teton Court Highett Victoria 3190

ABN 79 004 510 972 18

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