Where are Springs Used? - Spring Manufacturers Institute

and we are approaching the level of participation seen in 2002,”
says CASMI executive director Gerald Reese. This means that
choice of available space is more limited. If you are planning
to exhibit at Spring World 2004, check out space available at
www.springworld.org. Click on the top tab “To Exhibit” and
then click “Booth Space” in the left margin of the fl oor plan.
Red-colored space is sold, and blue-colored space is available.
You can reserve space online, call (847) 433-1335 or e-mail
info@casmi.org.
Attendees have indicated that there is much to learn on
the exhibit fl oor by talking to exhibitors and other attendees.
CASMI is organizing a program to provide visitors with
answers to their technical and business management questions
by directing them to exhibitors and other attendees who
can provide specifi c information. The concept is that visitors
can get answers to many of their business questions from
exhibitors and other industry professionals. CASMI will set
up centers where spring manufacturers and wire formers can
bring their questions and be directed to those who can supply
the answers. The idea is to maximize the value of time spent
in Rosemont for attendees and exhibitors alike.
The HS Spring Group in
Toronto, Ontario, Canada,
has announced that Patricia
(Patty) Switaj has joined
the company as executive
account manager for the HS
Spring Automotive Division.
She brings to HS Spring 15
years of outside sales experience
in the automotive
industry, including spring
and regulator spring sales for
the last six years. Her work experience also includes
various supervisory positions in manufacturing, quality
assurance, inside sales and marketing. In addition,
Switaj has a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology
and a master’s degree in general administration from
Central Michigan University. Her offi ce is located in
the Detroit, MI, area.
Gordon L. Ritter executive vice president of
Automatic Spring Products Corp. in Grand Haven,
MI, has announced his retirement on June 25, 2004,
after 39 years with the company.
Ritter holds a bachelor of science degree in accountancy
from the University of Illinois and a master’s
degree in business administration from Grand Valley
State College. He is a Certifi ed Jonah by the Goldratt
Institute. Among his many other achievements, he is
the longest serving member of the Springs magazine
committee. He most recently received the Outstanding
Citizen Award from the Chamber of Commerce. He
plans to enjoy spending time with his wife, Eileen; and
their children and grandchildren.
The Spring Manufacturers Institute (SMI) is offering
two online seminars. The fi rst is on June 29 and will concentrate
on Machine Guarding. OSHA maintains that guarding must
be made a part of each setup routine. This seminar concentrates
on the most typical types of equipment found in springmaking
facilities and various methods of guarding that have been
acceptable to some OSHA inspectors without establishing a
precedent. The seminar will be taught by Jim Wood, SMI regulations
compliance manager. SMI is also offering a seminar on
July 27 concentrating on Fundamentals of Failure Analysis.
This seminar will concentrate on what leads to failure mode
and how to avoid it. It will be taught by Luke Zubek, SMI
technical director. For information on these seminars, contact
SMI by phone at (630) 495-8588, fax at (630) 495-8595 or
e-mail at services@smihq.org.
Anchor Abrasives Co. in Tinley Park, IL, has announced
that it has successfully made the transition to the ISO 9001:2000
standard. The registrar was ABS Quality Evaluations. Anchor
Abrasives specializes in the design and manufacture of
resin, epoxy, and oxychloride-bonded nut inserted discs and
cylinders. The products grind a variety of bearings, springs,
ceramics, cutlery, hand tools and automotive parts.
SPRINGS July 2004 29