Apex Engineering Group, Inc.’s Post

This past week, our management team at HFW Industries, Inc. held our annual two-day planning session as part of our EOS Worldwide Traction system. This was a good opportunity for our team to reflect on our business’s performance over the past year while spending some time mapping out what our future can look like and how to get there. HFW is like many industrial businesses in that we have had challenges—primarily in regard to replacing many of our key team members who have retired or are planning to soon. However, we are making strong progress. Over the last year, we have made several key additions to our team that have supplemented a strong core group of men and women that I am proud to work with. HFW remains financially strong and we continue to make investments in our capabilities and people. We are well positioned to take advantage of opportunities in our markets over the next several years. And that was the point of this meeting: how do we orient ourselves to be ready to do that? Where are we aiming? And how do we make sure that these moves fit within our core values and our core focus? That path won't be linear, but I have confidence because of the world-class talent we have throughout HFW. It was exciting thinking about HFW's future. One last thing: I often highlight our shop team, who I am incredibly honored to work with. Our management team, comprised of Scott, Tom, Peter, my father and grandfather, deserves a lot of credit, too. Their dedication to HFW and their focus on continuous improvement both personally and within the business is going to take our business to new heights. And more importantly, they're good guys who I love working with. Note to self: get a picture of everyone next time! Since I didn't take one, enjoy this photo of two of our fantastic grinder-hands, Bob and Tate, experimenting with our new CNC grinder! #manufacturing #eos #traction #cncmachining #jobshop #engineering #manufacturingengineering #buffalony #thermalspray #hvof #reliabilityengineering #precisionmachining #onesource #continuousimprovement #kaizen

I came across a video this morning that's got me looking at where I am, and it's inspired me to write a bit of a love letter... You see, in 2021 my life changed but I didn't know it. With the pitch linked below, Luke Rogan, Nathan Kohl, and I advocated using 21st Century technology in the Air Force Civil Engineering community to 3D scan, model, and visualize building interiors. To many it's not glorious, but these spaces are a hidden world of complex data and high risk assets that affect the lives of those who work and live in them. The project became known as Source3D, and in this #SparkTank-like competition we took third place and secured the first place prize: $450K of roughly $1M available to the entire rodeo event. For us it was exciting! And three years later, it's astonishing how much has changed!! I could not be more grateful to folks like Julie Mages, Dustin Dickens, Bill Valenti, Lance Marrano, Kurt Buehler, and so so many more. Thank you for trusting me, guiding me, and being there for our community! I'm reflecting on this as I start multiple other journeys into new and innovative directions professionally, academically, and through volunteerism. Apparently I don't sit idle (though I very much want to lol)! This is happening because earlier this year I wrapped up my full and complete assessment of Source3D's place in the CE community, and I'm now finding myself taking stock of past successes. Team, after more than $1M invested, we delivered on our promise! As Major General Wilcox, Mrs. Lorna Estep, and Command Chief Ludwigsen had intuitively keyed in on in the video: we were able to completely demonstrate it on an existing Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center (AFIMSC) platform, and along the way we managed some significant B2C2WG impacts (looking at you #DTIS team!!). We delivered a real AFNET interface to nearly a hundred real Air Force facilities in extremely remote locations (and more elsewhere). We outlined a full strategic path to practical implementation across the Air Force. We wrote a reality capture specification and supplemental contracting guides (with example contract language). We worked with Scott Ensign, Richard Updike, the Digital Twin Consortium, the National Institute of Building Sciences, and many others to show how this technology can be an onramp into a #DigitalTwin future (looking at you Air Force Civil Engineer Center 😉!). Now we wait to see if our soil is fertile and if this seed takes root. #Source3D is a project that feels like my baby, and so to it I say: good luck, blessed journey, and we hope to see you grow fruitful 🥰 I could not be more proud of what you already have (and may yet) become, and meanwhile: you have been a transformation wrought on me. And so wherever you end up, you'll always be the success I've known you to be🫂 (*note sure why, but the title in the link is off 🤭*)

As I synthesize my research on logistics in a contested environment, I reflect back on my perspective of the problem set nearly two years ago and wonder what changed and stayed the same. It's an interesting comparison to the evolution in thinking I have been observing across several defense strategy and innovation circles about contested logistics. Thankfully I have an artifact to reference from Damien O'Connell's Warfighting Society panel. My presentation and arguments certainly need quite a bit of polishing, but I'm wondering what other feedback you might have. Presentation starts at 38:14 and there's a few other moments in the Q&A. https://lnkd.in/eGWV8Nvc

By using #layers in #Bluebeam Revu, you control the #visibility of various #markups, making it easier to focus on specific aspects of a project. Learn how in this blog. https://buff.ly/3YBvK3y

New prototype loading... watch this space for updates on this build.

We're thrilled to announce the prestigious Innovation Awards, sponsored by Invent America and presented by the incredible Inventor Lady, Rita Crompton. This much-anticipated event will take place at the vibrant ASD Market Week. 🚀 The Innovation Awards are not just an event; they're a celebration of the relentless spirit of inventors and entrepreneurs who are shaping our future. With Rita Crompton, a beacon of inspiration in the inventor community, at the helm, this event promises nothing short of spectacular. 🌐 Mark your calendars: 🗓️ March 10th -13th 📍 ASD Market Week Voting closes March 13th at 5 pm ✨✨✨✨Say goodbye to ineffective and unreliable roof protection with the innovative Tarp Secure Bracket (TSB)! In the aftermath of a storm, traditional tarps often fail to adequately protect roofs from the elements, leaving homes vulnerable to further damage. TSB revolutionizes this process by securely fastening tarps to roofs, effectively covering leaks and preventing additional roof damage. #ASDMarketWeek #InventAmerica #inventions #technology #tech #invention #gadgets #engineering #science #gadgetlife #innovation #gadget #techgadgets #gadgetlover #ToolOrganization #OrganizerGenie

We're thrilled to announce the prestigious Innovation Awards, sponsored by Invent America and presented by the incredible Inventor Lady, Rita Crompton. This much-anticipated event will take place at the vibrant ASD Market Week. 🚀 The Innovation Awards are not just an event; they're a celebration of the relentless spirit of inventors and entrepreneurs who are shaping our future. With Rita Crompton, a beacon of inspiration in the inventor community, at the helm, this event promises nothing short of spectacular. 🌐 Mark your calendars: 🗓️ March 10th -13th 📍 ASD Market Week Voting closes March 13th at 5 pm ✨✨✨✨Say goodbye to ineffective and unreliable roof protection with the innovative Tarp Secure Bracket (TSB)! In the aftermath of a storm, traditional tarps often fail to adequately protect roofs from the elements, leaving homes vulnerable to further damage. TSB revolutionizes this process by securely fastening tarps to roofs, effectively covering leaks and preventing additional roof damage. #ASDMarketWeek #InventAmerica #inventions #technology #tech #invention #gadgets #engineering #science #gadgetlife #innovation #gadget #techgadgets #gadgetlover #ToolOrganization #OrganizerGenie

With Bhavathrathan, excited to share that our work is now published in Analytic Methods in Accident Research. We explore how the distribution of geometric design inconsistencies in road networks impacts crash rates and introduce a tool, which we call frequency-hyperplane, to map the relative safety of different regions in a network.  https://lnkd.in/gcxcjzx5.

This performance is more than just a statistic—it's a game-changer for asset owners. https://lnkd.in/gCB6XF37 Asset owners and those responsible for taxpayer dollars: Now is the time to extend the life of your assets and defer costly maintenance. Long-life asphalt = significant savings for your projects and budgets.

Here's an interesting comparison. Did you know that #RockClimber has a long and short wheelbase mode? It can be varied by up to 400mm to help with stability, and manoeuvrability. Nick Wilson (the Disabled Adventurer) and the team have been out testing again, but this time comparing the two modes. As you can see the safety kit is all now in place, as is the new head-rest, disk brakes, and the uprated steering. Thanks also to Spectrum Powder Coaters Ltd for the great finish on the powder coating. It won't be long now before everything is ready for Snowdon! #accessibility #accessibilitymatters #disabledadventure #iet #disabilityawareness, Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), APF Aston University