If knowledge is power, then AFT is ready to
become the "Superman" of Metal
Injection Molding (MIM).
One of the key people behind that power is Andrew Hanson, vice president
of sales and marketing for AFT's MIM North American Division, who also
helps support the company's European MIM operations. Holding two U.S.
patents in powder metal technology, Hanson has also served on the board of
directors for the Metal Injection Molding Association and the Technical Board
for the Metal Powder Industry Federation.
Hanson joined AFT in February 1995 as automotive product group sales
manager. Prior to his tenure with AFT, he was regional sales manager for
Metal Powder Products (MPP), headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Heading
up the North American market for MPP, he was responsible for new product
sales and development for four conventional powder metal plants, as well
as a metal injection molding plant.
A native of Minnesota, Hanson graduated with honors from Hennipen Technical
College in Minneapolis with a degree in Powder Metallurgy Technology, earning
first runner-up as Minnesota Technical College Graduate of the Year.
He began his career at FMS Corporation in Minneapolis as a manufacturing/tooling
engineer making conventional powder metal components. Later he worked as
a senior R&D engineer for National Forge Company/Industrial Materials
Technology in Pennsylvania, Colorado and Massachusetts, where he was involved
with exotic powder metal materials and processes, including titanium, tantalum,
cobalt-chromium alloys, as well as hot and cold isostatic pressing. After
five years, he moved over to MPP.
While Hanson is enamored with many aspects of his job, he says that perhaps
what he enjoys most is watching a part finally being made.
"One of the most exciting things to see is new parts coming off
the press or out of the sintering furnace for the first time," Hanson
says. "It's the tangible culmination of a tremendous amount of team
work from both the commercial and engineering departments in creating a unique
thing that has never been made before. I might be so bold as to say it's
kind of like having a new baby!"
According to Hanson, AFT's MIM manufacturing facilities—and
capabilities—are what sets the company apart from other MIM companies.
One of the reasons he says AFT has become the world's largest MIM company
is the breadth and depth of its facilities, which were designed specifically
to develop new materials and applications for manufacturing MIM components.
"Having customers visit our plants usually helps close the deal," he
says.
Of course, he points out that great facilities mean little without great
people working inside them.
"The people at AFT do our best when we're challenged," Hanson
says. "And this happens just about every day since we manufacture custom-engineered
components that can't be made any other way—or at least for a
reasonable price in volume. Plus, my sales team is second to none. We
all believe in customer service and business relationship development. Our
goal is to develop, nurture and maintain each of these relationships through
honest communication with our clients."
Outside of AFT, Hanson makes the most of Colorado's outdoors, trout
fishing and hiking in the mountains. He says that in addition to AFT's
leadership position in MIM manufacturing, it's location at the foot
of the Rocky Mountains was an added draw.
"I'm very lucky to live in Colorado," he says. "After
all, most of the jobs in my field are located in more industrial areas of
the country, like the Rust Belt."
Looking to the future, Hanson is optimistic about the growth of MIM in many
industries as companies continue to see high-quality parts and applications
produced in high volume.
I would like to expand our aerospace, automotive and medical market segments," he
says. "As we grow, MIM becomes more acceptable in the marketplace when
people see successful high-quality applications produced in high volume."
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