R&D/Leverage has developed into more than just a mold manufacturing company. Over the past decade, the company has transformed into a full-service plastic product developer, helping brand owners go from idea to tooling and then manufacturing. R&D/Leverage's packaging capabilities include mold manufacturing for injection PET tooling and injection blow-molds. Beyond that R&D/Leverage provides brand owners with research including retail audits, trends and color studies, ethnographic research, feasibility studies and a full range of support functions.
R&D/Leverage is far from the old-school "tool shop" or "moldmaking" mentality. With all of those out-of-the-box services the company provides to brand owners, it has to be continually thinking about its work force development, and that involves much more than just finding and keeping good moldmakers. Today's R&D/Leverage has developed its own "brand" that attracts the region's (Lee's Summit, MO) best, using today's tools of choice such as its new web site, trade show presentations and advertising along with technology, innovation and a comprehensive apprenticeship program.
The company has developed a "team-first" orientation in which company executives, including senior marketing, manufacturing and product development officials, who continually work at identifying and cultivating the next generation of talent. This process is made easier by the intrinsic appeal of the company's value proposition.
"At R&D/Leverage there has been great pride in American manufacturing since 1976," said CEO Todd Riley. "With that pride you will find innovation and work force development, working hand-in-hand to attract new employees while providing our customers advanced services and products. And we do this as a team."
Management at R&D/Leverage believes in the future of U.S. manufacturing and that attracting young people into the various areas of manufacturing is vital to the success of U.S. manufacturers. "We believe in the future of U.S. manufacturing because we see, first-and-foremost, that it is possible to attract great candidates, eager to make their mark by building a real, physical product," said Robert Schiavone, Global Marketing Director, R&D/Leverage. "There is a place for creative, energetic, passionate young people in U.S. manufacturing."
Because of the extensive range of services that R&D/Leverage provides for its customers in the consumer products market, the company requires a variety of talents and expertise in its workforce. According to Schiavone, the "curb appeal" of R&D/Leverage is the company's exciting orientation. "We are the confluence of consumer research-inspired design and world-class manufacturing," he explained. "We combine Structural Brand Development and mold manufacturing - and it's a refreshing approach that captivates young 'left-brain, right-brain' thinkers."
Schiavone told PlasticsToday that because R&D/Leverage offers a greater variety of opportunities for young people to engage in various aspects of manufacturing beyond moldmaking, the company is attractive to them. "Being unique in the industry has many benefits and attracting young talent is one of them," he added. Schiavone claims R&D/Leverage is the "first and only company to offer these combined services to the plastics industry. No one else can say that right now in this industry," adding that "it's very exciting and young high-school and college kids see it the same way."
Chris Lavery, the company's Manufacturing General Manager, agreed. "Ours is a bold, creative and disciplined methodology that serves our customers well and challenges the status quo," Lavery said. "Today's younger professionals see the appeal of a place where insights, imagination and hands-on realism meet, on a global level."
The key to sustaining this approach is attracting, nurturing and retaining the young talent to grow with the company, Lavery noted, adding that R&D/Leverage is "proactive about this process" and has developed a proprietary, formalized machinist apprenticeship program. The company's program even won a UK National Training Award in 2011. "Attractive jobs are available in companies such as ours and are a rewarding alternative to the track many youths follow," he stated. "Outreach to the regional educational community is essential in communicating the availability and appeal of such programs."
R&D/Leverage's CEO, Todd Riley, sits on the advisory board for Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas. His heart is close to that institution as he is a graduate of PSU. In addition to local colleges, the company is aligned with programs such as FIRST Robotics, Skills USA and has sponsored summer internships for years.
No comments:
Post a Comment