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Tag Archives: Ad agencies

Marketing in a Time of Crisis

Over the last few months, I’ve had the opportunity to watch our clients react to the virus and adjust their businesses accordingly. As all our clients are manufacturing enterprises, they’ve needed to adjust their production scenario. Several innovative clients have gone from 1 to 2 or 2 to 3 shifts to achieve proper social distancing with no decline in the output. Most clients have returned to work in the office, as of this writing. Three clients have radically increased their ad spending, with one quoting me my own line, “Smaller pie, bigger slice.” He remembered 2009, all too well. The big difference here, of course, is that the current slowdown has absolutely NOTHING to do with economics.

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Social Media — A Valuable Marketing Tool During COVID-19

By Maureen Lepke

All industries are feeling the effects of Coronavirus. Manufacturing and industrial companies are not an exception. So what can you do in a time where trade shows are cancelled, everyone is working from home and trying to find new ways to get their company’s message out? The answer is social media. Social media is a low-cost, yet valuable marketing tool that allows your company to talk to your customers every day throughout the month.

What’s the benefit of having an agency do your social media for you? We have a full-time social media director here at the agency and we are strictly industrial so we understand your world. We are consistently posting 5 days a week. Social media is usually the first thing that slows down when a company gets busy. It becomes an afterthought when social media should be a critical part of your marketing strategy.

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Are You “Following” the Social Media Movement?

by Maureen Lepke

Over the past few years, social media has become increasingly mainstream in our daily lives. As of September 2017, Facebook has approximately 2.07 billion monthly users according to Facebook Stats. Twitter, on the other hand, had an average of 328 million monthly users as of the first quarter of 2017 as seen in a Forbes article. Lastly, an article from Fortune claims that LinkedIn has 500 million users as of April 2017.

While social media initially rose to popularity with teenagers as the main users, older generations have since adapted to these changing times and have incorporated social media into not only their personal lives but also into their professional lives.

More recently, businesses have realized the immense potential of having a social media presence. No longer is social media solely for interacting with friends and playing games; today, it’s opened the doors to vast possibilities for brand recognition among businesses and consumers.

In the manufacturing and industrial markets, social media can be extremely beneficial as companies in these industries rely on monthly trade publications for advertising and sharing product news with their specific audience in the hopes of generating leads. While this continues to be important to create brand awareness, social media can lend a helping hand. By using social media, a company can easily promote their brand the other 30 days out of the month.

Social media is the perfect outlet to not only promote your brand and share exciting company news but to also share breaking news and relevant topics that pertain to your company’s industry. This allows your business to become a wealthy source of information and lends a great deal of credibility to your company within the industry.

Among those benefits is the added bonus of being able to connect with a very specific, pinpointed target market that is already interested in your industry and therefore will be a possible lead. Communication is key when it comes to any business and marketing strategy. Social media is a medium of communication that lets a business interact with consumers in ways that companies have never been able to before.

The future of social media for businesses looks bright as there are plenty of ways to reach your audience and stay relevant in the minds of the consumers. It’s important to stay up-to-date as social media and technology are constantly changing and improving.

Are you “following” the social media movement? It’s about time! See what social media can do for your company. Reach out to us today for more information or with questions on how social media can have a beneficial impact on your company. We’re here to help increase your brand awareness.

https://newsroom.fb.com/company-info/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2017/04/27/twitters-surprising-user-growth-bodes-well-for-2017/#d53a8e02e11c

http://fortune.com/2017/04/24/linkedin-users/

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Tim’s Take on the Industry

WHEN I WAS A BOY…

That’s how one of my favorite high school teachers started out many a lecture. Father Cochran taught me logic at the all-boys Catholic prep school I attended. From him, I learned Aristotle and Aquinas in Greek and Latin, plus all the modern thinking of the day. His opening set the tone, namely, encouraging us to keep all things in perspective and never forget the lessons of our youth, no matter what changed along the way.

My point? In today’s ad agency, we have technologies galore that didn’t exist just 43 years ago, when I was a…fledgling copy boy at my first ad agency, writing display classified ads on a “modern” electric typewriter for the agency that handled the American Grease Stick Company, maker of products such as SqueakEase, DoorEase and LockEase. Thrilling, I can hear you say.

Today, we offer clients social media, website development with full back-end tracking, augmented reality to enhance trade show and online experiences, Google ad word programs that capture people seeking their products and equipment, then put an ad in view online through retargeting with back-end tracking protocols, highly complex interactive blasts and conferencing options for training and press events, plus the very cool (is that still a multi-meaning adjective?) technology of mobile attraction, whereby we put a message from our client on every phone in a zip code or x-mile radius of a trade show venue. People come up to the booth and say “show me,” whereupon I smile knowingly at the client and say, “Told ya it would work!” And it does. Call me and I’ll tell you how. (Actually, one of the young guns here will do that.)

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Drop-in Replacement to the Common MCB Offers Over 300% Faster Install

Pomona, California – NOARK Electric, a low-voltage electrical product manufacturer, announces its UL 489 B1NQ miniature circuit breaker is now a direct replacement for the common MCB when paired with the optional surface mount. This recyclable, quick-connect breaker is available in three curves (B, C and D), ranges from 0.5 to 63 A and is compliant with UL/CSA/IEC standards for branch circuit protection in commercial and residential applications.

While designed and engineered for the HVAC market, the HACR compatible MCB is also suited for a host of industrial applications and other component sub-assembly designs. The current-limiting B1NQ is thermal-magnetic and protects against short circuit and overload conditions. The 1- and 2-pole breaker, offered at 120/240 Vac provides optimum and efficient protection for branch and control circuits. NOARK offers exceptional value with local support and inventory for a wide range of UL 508A panel designs, all backed by the industry’s first 5-year limited warranty.

The B1NQ and surface mount attachment saves customers substantial time and money in both upfront cost and installation time. The surface mount is an exact match to the existing bolt hole pattern of the common, competing MCB and requires no additional drilling. With the surface mount in place, the B1NQ can be removed in as little as 7 seconds – over 300% faster than the common MCB. Installation takes seconds and simply requires placing the B1NQ onto the surface mount and clicking into place. Quick removal is possible by pulling down the clips with a standard screwdriver. The removable terminal shrouds offer the installer unmatched access to the terminals. This feature saves users valuable time during installation and helps reduce the chance of wiring errors. With more space available, technicians in the field and factories are able to work quickly and accurately. Additional accessories are available including Comb Bus Bars and Rotary Handles.


NOARK Electric (North America), located in Pomona, CA, is a global electrical component and intelligent control system supplier. The company is establishing a representative and distribution network to serve its primary markets, which include the building trades and electric panel board builders in various industries. As a global supplier, NOARK currently operates four R&D centers, three distribution centers, 15 office locations and employs over 1,000 associates. Sales currently exceed $2 billion worldwide.

For more information on this product, consult your local sales representative or email: nasales@noark-electric.com

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Zimmermann Introducing New FZU 5-Axis Gantry Mill

 

The demands for prototype, tool and mold making are increasing. Only those who can supply high quality output, quickly and flexibly, can succeed against the powerful competition worldwide. Zimmermann is responding to this trend with the new FZU. This 5-axis gantry milling machine is not only extremely compact but, thanks to its thermo-symmetrical design and accuracy, it also provides the ideal entry point to the Zimmermann machine line with maximum productivity. Plastics, casting resins such as Ureol and aluminum are particularly suitable for machining. “This development will enable us to close the gap in the lower weight class,” states Frieder Gänzle, General Manager and Partner at Zimmermann in Germany.

gantry milling

Frieder Gänzle, General Manager and Partner at F. Zimmermann GmbH: “We don’t want to be chasing trends; instead we want to help shape the market.”

“The basic expectations, which prototype, tool and mold makers need to meet today, have not necessarily changed over the years, they have simply grown,” sums up Frieder Gänzle. Customers in the automobile industry, he notes, especially expect components with almost perfect surface finishes and ever higher accuracies. Manufacturers introduce new models or variants to the market at ever shorter intervals. Whereas prototype, tool and mold makers could previously plan in the longer term, they must respond today to inquiries considerably faster.

“We cultivate a very special relationship with prototype, tool and mold makers,” says Gänzle. “Together, we have evolved consistently in recent years. We are very appreciative of our strong business in this sector.” Zimmermann is continuously exchanging technology information with its user base. In discussions, it has become clear that this sector requires powerful, compact machines with maximum productivity and open time. And, importantly, Zimmermann must offer an attractive price/performance ratio, while meeting all these requirements. “We have evolved even further towards heavy-duty cutting, over the years,” reports Gänzle. “As a result, even the smallest machine in our portfolio, the FZ33 compact, has become more popular. We have continuously pushed it upwards from a technological point of view.” Its focus is on aluminum cutting, but steel can also be machined. This enables Zimmermann to offer customers a very efficient, flexible and space-saving machine, while the corresponding design improvements have also had an effect on the price. “The requirement we were presented was for an entry-level model which rounds off our program at the lower price point,” explains Gänzle. The result is the FZU, a 5-axis gantry milling machine which is optimized for weight and stability.

Pre-assembled machine concept

gantry milling

With the FZU, Zimmermann is developing an extremely compact universal machine for prototype, mold and tool making with an attractive price/performance ratio.

In contrast to the established FZ33 and other machines that Zimmermann offers today, the company is taking a different path with the FZU. “We can narrow down the special features of this gantry machine to three main characteristics,” describes Gänzle. The first point: “We are following the trend towards modern manufacturing machines and designing them as space-saving, pre-assembled units.” This means Zimmermann assembles the machines in-house and can then transport them to the customer by truck or ship without having to dismantle them. Onsite, they are ready for use in a very short commissioning time; erection and start-up require minimum effort. For the customer, this means quickly available machines which can be installed without constructing foundations. “In the design, we have kept to the usual transport sizes. At the same time, the new FZU achieves a remarkable working range for its size,” explains Gänzle.

Thermo-symmetrical design

It is important to match the machine to the required dynamics. Adverse environmental conditions and long machine running times necessarily give rise to thermal expansion effects. In spite of the customers’ increased accuracy requirements, the machine must always achieve outstanding surface finishes. The Zimmermann engineers have therefore designed the FZU gantry machine to be thermo-symmetrical. This means that the milling spindle, guides and other accuracy-determining components are arranged so that their heating is either compensated or they can expand in uncritical directions. “This is the second important characteristic,” emphasizes Gänzle. The base frame consists of a steel welded construction which forms a continuous U-shape. The machine gantry’s centrally guided Z-slide has an octagonal section – and not a rectangular one like comparable machines – which makes it particularly stable. Thanks to its design, it therefore has impressive rigidity for its size. “With a weight of approximately 35 tons, a length of 3,500mm, width of 7,500mm and a height of just under 5,000 mm, we have been able to build a light and compact machine,” says Gänzle.

In-house head implemented throughout

gantry milling

VH10 spindle head design from Zimmermann, with 34kW and 24,000 rpm standard performance in a rugged design.

The third characteristic relates to the new VH10 milling head, which achieves an extremely high power density. “This new development has enabled us to reassess our portfolio,” reports Gänzle. This is because the VH10 head will replace the VH12, which is not a Zimmermann product. Alongside the VH20, VH30 and VH60, the VH10 is now the smallest head in the range. Users will also benefit from the fact that Zimmermann has suitable spare heads in stock and can supply them on request in the event of stoppages, for example, due to a crash. “We strive to respond quickly and provide the customer with optimum support,” emphasizes Gänzle.

Thanks to its slender design, the VH10 spindle head has only minimal interference contours. Compared to the VH12, it achieves almost double the clamping force. This is due to the fact that Zimmermann fits two side cheeks instead of one onto the unit. The VH10 is therefore considerably more stable in operation. In order to minimize throughput times, a powerful 34 kW spindle with a maximum speed of 24,000 rpm is used in the milling head as standard. “The FZU is therefore ideally suitable for the materials typically found in this business sector, such as Ureol, clay and aluminum. In the future, we will also use the new milling head in larger machines on which processers can produce one-to-one models – for example, on our FZ37,” says Gänzle.

Standardized and yet individual

In order to provide a high-quality machine at an attractive price, the designers at Zimmermann have turned their attention to remaining competitive with regard to price through increased component standardization, while at the same time addressing individual customer requirements. As with all machines produced, Zimmermann therefore also relies on a modular system with the FZU. Among other things, this approach enables different size variants and power levels to be produced. There are also numerous equipment options which offer the customer maximum flexibility.

Zimmermann is therefore able to provide a very efficient solution with the new FZU. It is often the little things that give rise to success and customer satisfaction. “We place great importance on details – an aspect which cannot always be measured in the numbers,” explains Gänzle, who cites two examples: “For instance, the machining area is fully clad with stainless steel sheets in order to guarantee maximum resistance to abrasion. The FZU is also the first gantry milling machine to be equipped with our innovative, new NXP 24-inch multitouch controller, which is already used on our FZH horizontal machining center.” Another increasingly important topic is ergonomics. The door is divided asymmetrically to enable components to be easily fed to the machine. A small, easy-to-open door leads into the machining area, while the large door is used for loading. Operators therefore have a relatively large field of view, rapid access to the machining area and ample space for loading – ergonomic advantages which are not to be underestimated. Another detail is that a cabinet has been installed directly in front of the FZU. “This was the idea of one of our designers,” says Gänzle. “The tables, which users in the various plants position in front of the machines to place their accessories and service tools, caught his attention. With our solution, everything which is part of day-to-day operations can be safely stowed close at hand within the machine.” Added to this, there are extraction equipment and special chip management systems. “It is often the simple ideas which make the machine operator’s everyday tasks much easier,” sums up Gänzle.

Comprehensive service

To provide the best possible support to businesses, Zimmermann concentrates on high-quality and reliable service in close proximity to the customer. After all, this is exactly what characterizes a good relationship between supplier and user.  “Customers expect high availability over the entire system lifecycle,” says Gänzle. “We provide comprehensive machine care.” This includes a customer hotline, by means of which users can reach a competent contact person, even outside of normal working hours, as well as a remote diagnosis system that allows a rapid response in an emergency. If mechanical components are defective or malfunction, the machine builder usually guarantees immediate shipment from its factory. In addition, the application engineers work together with the customer to optimize each individual combination of heads, spindles, tools and clamping equipment for the machines. Zimmermann therefore not only sells machines, but also complete solutions. Plans are in process for further upgrades to the stocking and service personnel staff in North America, as well.  Zimmermann recently opened a new facility in Wixom, Michigan, near Detroit.

Goal:  To be technologically out in front

“We don’t want to be chasing trends; instead, we want to help shape the market,” says Gänzle. “Basically, we therefore aspire not to do the same things as our competitors.” To be technologically out in front, the machine builder never stands still with regards to machine development. The FZU is therefore being continuously optimized – without at the same time losing sight of the price/performance ratio. There appears to be substantial market interest in these machines, according to company research. The initial discussions with users were highly promising. “We are confident of meeting our customers’ requirements with this new development, both in Germany and internationally,” says Gänzle. The statement that the concept of the FZU could be transferred to the other machines in the program underlines how convinced he is of this new solution. Zimmermann will be presenting the machine to a specialist audience at WESTEC 2017, CMTS 2018 AMB in September, 2018. As further indication of emerging market interest, three users have already decided to purchase this new gantry milling machine.

 

 

 


 About the company

  1. Zimmermann GmbH is headquartered in Neuhausen a.d.F., Germany, and is one of the world’s leading suppliers of high-tech milling solutions. The machines have huge working areas, tremendous dynamic performance and enormous cutting capacity. Founded in 1933 by Friedrich Zimmermann, the company now has over 200 employees, with subsidiaries in the USA and China. The innovative company has one primary goal for its range of products: being able to offer the right solution to its customers and so ensure high profitability: “Quality made in Germany”. Its specialized machines are in use throughout the world in the aerospace and automotive industries and find many special applications. Zimmermann Inc. is the North American headquarters, based in Wixom, Michigan (Detroit) and is a full-service operation with machines, application engineering, sales and service personnel on staff to serve the company’s growing markets in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

For more information on this development, please contact the North American headquarters:

ZIMMERMANN INC.
30587 Century Drive
Wixom, MI 48393
Phone:  248-956-8511
www.zimmermann-inc.com
Ms. Lena Kiesel, Marketing Manager
lena@zimmermann-inc.com

 

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A Not-So New Face Adds Value

My name is Ioana and I’ve been a part of the Bernard & Company team for almost three years. My activities as a marketing information specialist help our clients increase their profits and become better-known within their industries.

One of my primary duties is to read magazines for our clients’ PR. Once identified, the appearances are scanned and archived online. When one of our clients meets with us to talk about the results of their PR campaign, they are presented with magazine clippings and online access to PR that appeared both online and in print. This benefits our clients in two ways. First, clients like Grieve and Suhner, who sell their products in many markets, see which magazines are most responsive to their PR. Secondly, it is very helpful for them to see their ROI. Some clients consistently realize ROI in the 15-20:1 range, depending on the quantity of releases, the occasion of success stories, and the breadth of their master media list.  We have clients who sell to very limited markets such as forge, foundry, tire and rubber molding, while others sell power tools, electric motors and industrial heat processing equipment to almost every industry.

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Gehring 2017 Honing Conference & Workshops…Big Success

New technologies in honing, coatings, coolants, 3D measurement and digital factory solutions were presented by panel of industry experts; attracted 80 attendees

June 7, 2017 – Gehring held its 2017 Honing Conference and Workshops event on May 10-11, 2017 at the Inn of St. John’s in Plymouth, Michigan.  The conference and workshops brought together experts from the global industry to discuss and propose solutions to advanced manufacturing challenges in surface finish technology applications.  A total of 80 attendees, most from the automotive primes and Tier One suppliers, were treated to two days of learning, networking and fun.

President of Gehring in the USA, Roger Cope, gave the opening remarks to kick off the event.  He noted this was the 91-year anniversary of Gehring in Germany and that the company has had a manufacturing footprint in the USA for 41 years.  An R&D facility in Livonia, Michigan was established several years ago to meet the demand for specialized honing process development, consulting and the rapid rise in demand for Gehring contract and prototype honing services.  He further mentioned that Gehring has diversified its market focus in the last several years to include the defense sector and, in that arena, Livonia serves as an ITAR-compliant facility.  The “One Gehring” theme codifies the global focus of the company, as it seeks to serve a global customer base, Cope said.

Dr. Wolfram Lohse, CTO of the Gehring Group then took the floor and observed, “Part of our new business mission and focus globally is our desire to enhance customer and industry knowledge through the Gehring Academy for honing education, training, consulting and support in helping manufacturers implement and use our advanced honing technologies to their advantage, specifically to meet impending CAFE emissions regulations.  We seek a partnership focus with key clients while retaining the highest level of integrity in handling confidential projects.”  He discussed the drive to sustainability – another Gehring focus for the future.  Partnerships with other key market specialists at this event, such as Oerlikon Metco AG, Nanofocus and Siemens, have been developed to produce a comprehensive resource for the market, with multiple sources of expertise relevant to surface finish technology.

Cope concluded his remarks by noting that Gehring is now a “one-stop shop” for all elements of the honing process – machines, tools, gauging, automation, rework, abrasives, R&D – with global support for global production platforms.

Gehring’s Director of R&D, Michael Schaefer, commented, “Gehring was honored to host this first unique conference, dedicated to Advanced Honing and Surface Finish technology, in the USA and to provide a high level technical and networking platform for professionals in this field with the leading manufacturers in the automotive and other industry sectors.”

During the conference, these presentations and workshops were conducted by industry experts:

-Gehring L.P. and Gehring Technologies GmbH, Michael Schaefer and Dr. Wolfram Lohse, “Advanced Honing Technologies Presentations”
-Oerlikon Metco AG, Wohlen, Dr. Peter Ernst, “Surface Enhancement with Thermal Spray Coatings”
-NanoFocus, Dr. Christian M. Wichern, “3D Surface Measurement of Cylinder Bore and Liners – Advantages and Challenges”
-Quaker Chemical, Frank A. Robinson Jr., “Chemistry and Functions of Honing and Coolant Applications”
-Gehring Technologies GmbH, Marcell Wardin, “Form Honing Cylinder Bores – from Development to Mass Production”
-Gehring Technologies GmbH, Dr. Wolfram Lohse, “Digital Solutions at Gehring”
-Siemens Digital Factory, Dr. Stephan Ihmels, “Mindsphere Application in Large Scale Automotive Production Scenarios”

80 process and manufacturing engineering personnel responsible for surface finishing in automotive, hydraulics, aerospace & defense part applications, including plant managers, production managers and R&D specialists attended this Gehring conference.

The technical program was supplemented by  networking events such as the pre-conference “Infinity “chartered dinner cruise with entertainment on the Detroit River and  post conference golf, all of which were enjoyed by the attendees.


For more information on this event, please contact:

Rita Conroy-Martin
Director of Marketing
GEHRING L.P.
24800 Drake Road
Farmington Hill, MI 48335
734-926-7538
rconroy@gehringlp.com
www.gehring.de/en

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Heimatec Named North American Distributor for Tecnicrafts

Effective immediately, Heimatec Inc., will be selling products from Tecnicrafts Industries, a manufacturer of collets and guide bushings for Swiss Type CNC Lathes.

Tecnicrafts is an ISO 9001:2015 Certified company, with its manufacturing plant in South India with state of the art machine tools and 115 technicians. Tecnicrafts collets and guide bushings are exclusively used for Swiss Turning applications on Citizen-Cincom, Tsugami, Star, Tornos, Hanwha, Traub, Hardinge, Manurhin-Kmx, Miyano, Nomura and other popular machine brands and are widely recognized and accepted by customers in Europe and Asia.

COLLETS: The collets are offered in Steel and Carbide lined versions with Grooved, Smooth, Serrated Bores in Standard and Long Nose Types. Tecnicrafts produces special collets such as V-Line, U-Line, Over-grip Collets, for positive gripping of delicate parts without marks.  The Ultra Precision (XP) W-Type collets are available for tool grinding applications on machines like Rollomatic, Anca, Ewag  and others.   Other collets offered includes 5C and 16C types.


GUIDE BUSHINGS: Tecnicrafts Guide Bushings are generally offered in carbide lining having Super Finish bore with roughness value of less than 0.4 micron. These special guide bushings include U-Line, Extended Nose and Long Carbide Bores (Max Land) for special turning applications.

BAR FEEDER COLLETS: The Bar feeder collets are available for various bar feeders like Fedek, LNS, Ikura-seiki, Iemca, Citizen, FMB and other popular brands.

All Collets and Guide Bushings are offered in Standard and Ultra-Precision grades. The bore profile includes Round, Square, Hexagon, Rectangular and Profile bores as per customer drawings.


Heimatec Inc., with its expertise in precision tooling and having customer representatives throughout North America, is ready to meet the work holding tool needs for Swiss Turning applications with this new Tecnicrafts product line on its roster of quality tooling.


For more information please contact:

Preben Hansen, President
Heimatec Inc.
16 East Piper lane, Suite 129,
Prospects Heights, IL 60070
USA
Tel: 847-749-0633
www.heimatecinc.com

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Tim’s Take on the Industry

From time to time…

After 43 years in the agency business, always as a copywriter, I’ve seen many “evolutions” in the agency business.  I started in a world of print, when direct mail was the sizzle product and bingo cards were the “proof of performance” metric…a word we never used, as we said yardstick.  Funny.  New ads and PR took 30-45 days to appear, now we have our PR online in 30 minutes or less.

Today, the emergence of the internet and social media have radically altered the face of industrial marcom, which remains a lap behind the consumer world, but not because our business lacks the talent or foresight to implement the changes in technology.

Rather, the fundamental driver in our business…and yours, as captains of industry…is one that hasn’t changed a bit, over time.  It’s the fact that all 33 of our clients sell to only a small slice of the viewing public.  We have several clients with less than 1000 prospects in all North America, including one who sells tiremaking machinery.  Talk about a limited head count.  At the opposite end, we have a client who sells every market you can name with a piece of discretionary capital equipment, as I call it.  Requires a very different approach.

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