At Algood, we’ve always known that great companies are built by great people. For more than fifty years, our strongest competitive advantage has been the talent and care our employees bring to every project, prototype, and product.
Juggling forecasts, supplier lead times, vacations and shutdowns, new specs, and demanding expectations. I know how heavy the load can get—because we feel it too. But sometimes, in the middle of all the complexity, it helps to step back, breathe in a little deeper, and laugh.
When you’ve been in the caster manufacturing industry as long as I have, you learn one fundamental truth: success isn’t just about making a great product; it’s about making the right product at the right time—whether that means delivering a one-off custom caster or ramping up to mass production without missing a beat.
I consider myself more of a realist than an optimist, but I feel very positive about 2025. There are many reasons to believe the new year will bring economic prosperity. The new administration in the U.S. will significantly impact economic factors, many of which will affect the manufacturing sector.
This is a time of great uncertainty. There are mixed signals from the economy. Inflation is falling while overall growth falters. Reduced interest rates drive some investment, but many companies still face new realities. War and conflict persist in Ukraine and the Middle East, each with cascading impacts.
yber security and best data management practices have been on my mind lately. In part, that’s because there are almost weekly stories of corporations being subjected to ransomware attacks or having their data stolen. And lately, a number of our customers have found themselves caught up in cyber fraud.
In the thick of the COVID crisis, many pundits predicted how we do business would change forever. Now, a year after the official end of the COVID emergency, I’ve been thinking about what, if anything, is really different here at Algood.
Recent events at Boeing are a cautionary tale for every manufacturer. They bring to life the ever-present tension between quality and profitability. That’s a very narrow path to navigate. Fall on one side, and your financial fortunes suffer. Falling on the other side puts your reputation – and, in the case of Boeing, lives at risk.
Here in Toronto, as we enter the third quarter, the weather has turned dramatically colder. It feels like autumn. That may be the clearest signal facing us. The economy, global politics, the caster industry and even our own customers are all sending mixed signals. You are likely facing some of the same unpredictability.
I monitor economic news and insights very closely. It’s part of my daily media routine and there are several people whose opinions I seek out and follow. Based on all that, there are three interconnected E’s that are keeping me awake lately. The situation in Europe, the impending global energy crisis and the economy all have my full attention these days. I’m concerned but I’m also very confident that Algood will remain strong.
While everyone in the manufacturing sector and the business world is consumed with news about inflation, supply chain and the lingering pandemic, I’m concerned about something far more important – the physical and mental well-being of our employees. They are our most valuable asset and we are doing everything we can to help them and protect them.
Last Friday, Algood celebrated its 53rd birthday. Much has changed since our father, Max Guttmann, started Algood in 1969. But there’s a lot of truth to the adage that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
