From the President From the desk of Mike Langenderfer, ISFA 2012-2013 President
Wow, Now What? For those of you that haven’t read my articles in
insights. It’s amazing that we have so many
25 years and am not an expert on every OSHA
“wow” — Wow, it’s really hard to believe that
Along with all this there is a pretty outstanding
day. If you’re not sure what you should do if
this magazine my theme has pretty much been my term is half over; wow, this year has really flown by; and wow, what a year so far.
There have been ISFA gatherings and CEO
Roundtables with many more scheduled in the future. ISFA headquarters has moved to
Pittsburgh. We have had the first meeting of the
different ways of getting to the same end result. free lunch. If you have not attended one of
these events, you should. Take advantage of these creative ISFA meetings to meet new
people and share your ideas. You have to take
time away from your office, shop or job to learn new things.
mentees for the Million Dollar Mentor Program.
The first CEO Roundtable was a great success.
move.
did a fantastic job. You’re probably tired of
It’s just incredible how fast things actually ISFA is working really hard to provide our
members with as much helpful information as possible. I recently received a copy of the
ISFA Standards for Quartz and Solid Surface. In cooperation with the Marble Institute of America (MIA), we have established a
committee of manufacturers and fabricators to write standards that fabricators, specifiers and
It was very well attended and the presenters
requirement, but we do emphasize safety every OSHA walks in, I would suggest you look into it. Most states have some form of free service to
walk through your shop and offer consulting on
what you should be doing. OSHA has a program in Ohio called OSHA On Site. They don’t report back to OSHA; they make recommendations. You should really take advantage of these
programs in your area. I know you're all saying, “I don’t have time for it,” but I can assure you if
hearing me say this, but I learned a lot from my
you have an accident or OSHA walks through
yourself what kind of a guy I am or how I am
That’s about all I have to say for this issue.
peers. By now some of you are probably asking running a successful business if I am learning
something at all these events. I guess you need to look at it as continuing education or maybe positive reinforcement.
your door, you will wish you had found the time. I appreciate you reading this and invite your
comments. Please get or stay involved in our
industry. ISFA is a great organization that can help you. I’d like to say we will be coming to
If you haven’t got the point yet, let me spell it
your door in the near future like the OSHA guy,
need to spend a little time working on your
You have to get out of your shop and get
out. If you get involved, you will get better. You
but that’s probably not going to happen.
business just not in it and what better way to
involved. Attend an ISFA event and you will
do that than to get more involved with ISFA.
learn something.
presentations. You can read more about it in
OK, as I sit here writing this, I have an OSHA
If you support the industry and get involved with
recommendation for this program. I have said
he showed up about a week ago with a letter
“Wow, now what?”
even consumers will be able to use.
I attended the first session of the Mentor
Program and I have to say I learned a lot.
There were some very good discussions and this magazine. I just want to add a
this many times before, but it can’t be stressed
enough. I went through the program and swear it turned my business around. If you have the opportunity, I would highly recommend you take part in this program.
ISFA gatherings have been held and are
scheduled to be held in the future. I have to admit I was a little disappointed at the
attendance. There was a good turnout, but I was expecting there to be an overwhelming
inspector in my office. No, I didn’t invite him in; describing nine complaints that were filed by a
former employee. We walked through the shop and he resolved all of the complaints. Then, of
reports, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and
Mike Langenderfer
shop. Of course I’m not happy to have him
mike@countertopshop.net
monitoring the air quality and noise levels in my here, but it is reassuring to know that we are running a safe shop.
events. Vendors readily answer questions
In my travels I have seen shops that are not
on processes and techniques offer all of us new 10 • Vol. 6 / Issue 3 • International Surface Fabricators Association
maintenance records. Now he is back
Most of us would consider OSHA a pain in the
regarding their products, and lively discussions
Have a great day,
course, he wanted to see all of my logs and
number of attendees. There is so much
valuable information exchanged at these
ISFA, you won’t be one of those people saying,
rear-end, but they do serve a useful purpose.
practicing good safety and it’s pretty upsetting to see. I have been in business more than
ISFA President