Lentz most recently served as a materials manager at Manufactured Assemblies Corporation (MAC) in Richmond, Indiana. His broad-based experience in automotive, telephone and power management businesses provides a deep technical background in design and support of wire, cable, cord sets and surge protection devices.

In addition to earning an A.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology and B.S. in Business Administration, Lentz holds three U.S. Patents:

• U.S. Patent 5567181 – low profile electrical plug
• U.S. Patent D354941 – lower profile housing for an electrical plug
• U.S. Patent D355890 – rotatable, multiple electrical outlet power stake

“We are excited to welcome Mark to our team,” said Rick Bromm, ALTEX president. “His extensive background in materials management and operations, paired with a deep commitment to customer service, make a valuable addition to the organization.”

Manufacturers and employees across the country now look to Congress, where the White House is expected to submit USMCA this fall for a congressional vote. If the divided Congress doesn’t act quickly, the United States risks major supply chain disruptions that would burden small businesses across the country.

Failing to move forward on USMCA and breaking down decades of North American trade relationships would spell chaos for manufacturers, suppliers, employees on both sides of the border and especially small businesses.

Take, for example, Indiana-based Altex, a manufacturer of wiring assemblies that form the neural networks used in dozens of products from train brakes to wheelchair-accessible vans, ambulances and medical devices. Altex designs, engineers and sources most of its raw materials from the U.S, manufacturing the wiring assemblies in Indiana and Mexico, later shipping its finished goods to customers in the U.S. and beyond. Without USMCA, well-paying engineering and management jobs in Indiana would be at risk, and dozens of vital products would be made more expensive for U.S. consumers.

Altex is just one of the thousands of American businesses that rely on trade with Mexico to thrive in today’s globally connected economy. Their business operations highlight the unique dynamics that define North American trade.

Read the full article from the Indianapolis Business Journal.

(WESTFIELD, IN – April 2, 2019) ALTEX, a Westfield-headquartered custom wire harness and cable assembly manufacturer, experienced an annual revenue increase of over 15 percent in their manufacturing sector for 2018 and anticipates even higher double-digit growth in 2019. The privately-held company also recently added to its many quality credentials by achieving UL ZPFW2 certification from Underwriters Laboratories.

ALTEX pursued UL certification at its Mexico facility to assure customers that it maintains the highest safety standards and strictest quality procedures to mitigate the risk of counterfeit materials and components in its end products.

“Counterfeit components are a growing concern for the industry. Tracability becomes very important to combat the issue of using misrepresented raw material,” says ALTEX President Rick Bromm. “Fraudulent materials are a quality risk and could likely result in reduced performance and safety of the harness systems we produce.”

As an industry thought leader and chairman of the Wire Harness Manufacturer’s Association, Bromm has worked with the ALTEX team to build the company’s reputation for quality while also setting industry standards for process innovation.

“Having the systems in place to ensure product quality and also validate compliance of materials used in UL certified products is a key step to getting safe products with high integrity to market,” Bromm says. “It’s important to us and vital for our customers.”

To accommodate continued customer demand, the Mexico ALTEX plant recently added 32,000 square feet to its footprint for a total of 42,000sf.  ALTEX currently has 125 employees across North America and expects to increase staffing by nearly 40% in 2019.

ABOUT ALTEX

As a strategic supplier to its partners, ALTEX offers the services and expertise to manufacture even the most complex wire harness, box build and electromechanical assemblies for leading edge companies in the industrial manufacturing, medical, hybrid vehicle, clean energy and other emerging technology markets. For more information, visit altexwireandcable.com.

The IPC/WHMA-A-620 standard Revision C remains the only industry-consensus standard for Requirements and Acceptance of Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies. IPC and the Wiring Harness Manufacturer’s Association (WHMA) continue to work together to develop this significant update.

ALTEX uses the A-620 standard to:

• Facilitate better partnerships with OEMs
• Create an easy-to-follow rulebook for quality and consistency
• Streamline processes for faster development and execution
• Secure long-term customers

“The A-620 standard has been very helpful in conflict resolution with workmanship standards for our customers,” said Rick Bromm, ALTEX president and chairman of the WHMA board of directors. “If they are familiar with the standard, we know they are looking at assemblies through the right filters—and that can eliminate many back and forth discussions for everyone.”

For more certification resources and training materials, visit the IPC/WHMA Store.

However, manufacturers’ top business challenge across all sectors remains the longstanding inability to attract and retain a quality workforce within tight labor markets and a widening skills gap. The latest survey also noted concerns about increased raw material prices, insufficient infrastructure, trade uncertainties and transportation costs.

NAM leadership is focused on securing congressional support and robust federal investments as part of a roadmap for continued industry growth and success.

Manufacturing in the United States is on the rise, and manufacturers are confident about the future. Empowered by tax reform and regulatory certainty, manufacturers are investing in our communities and in our people. But to keep up this momentum, we have to get serious about infrastructure investment and attracting, recruiting and training our people for the high-tech, high-paying modern manufacturing jobs of today and tomorrow. As laid out in the NAM’s ‘Building to Win’ blueprint, a bold infrastructure plan will help secure American prosperity, job creation and our leadership in the world.

–NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons 

The NAM Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey is conducted quarterly among the National Association of Manufacturers’ membership of small, medium and large manufacturers across the country. Read the full report at nam.org/outlook.

Ready to start or take the next step in your manufacturing career? Explore open positions with ALTEX.

The first Labor Day holiday was planned by the Central Labor Union and celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City. 10,000 workers walked from City Hall to Elm Park for a picnic, concert and civic speeches. As the trade movement grew across the country in the late 19th century, the idea of a “workingmen’s holiday” spread and was officially recognized by the government as a federal holiday in 1884. The first Monday in September is now a yearly tribute to the social and economic achievements of the American workforce, and the continuation of strength and prosperity in the United States.

According to the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), nearly 12.5 million manufacturing workers across all industrial sectors and 50 states generate $2.25 trillion for the U.S. economy each year. ALTEX Wire and Cable is proud to work alongside a variety of these manufacturers as a strategic outsourced partner. With nearly two decades of custom wire harness and cable assembly experience, ALTEX combines engineering expertise, strategic supplier relationships and unparalleled customer service to create comprehensive and custom solutions—from engineering to manufacturing to fulfillment.

Labor Day gives us the opportunity to honor the people at the heart of all manufacturing achievements, but also highlights the innovation that will continue to drive the future success and longevity of the industry.

Happy Labor Day!

About the Conference

Wire harness designers and manufacturers are on the front line of addressing technical challenges in today’s electronics industry marketplace. These products play a significant role in the integration of electronic systems within automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications. At this conference, industry experts will focus on new methods, processes and designs that are being utilized to improve product quality and field reliability.

Speakers will touch on topics such as 3D printed wiring, aluminum wire for automotive applications, next generation wire and cabling bundling, cross-process traceability, anti-counterfeiting measures and more.

Another notable session will cover the latest updates on IPC/WHMA-A-620C standard, the only global wire harness and cable assembly workmanship standard. A-620 creates a universal language between OEMs and manufacturers, facilitating better communication regarding unique build specifications and quality management.

Find out more about the upcoming Innovation Conference, including the event schedule and list of speakers.

About IPC

IPC is a global industry association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 4000+ member companies which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly and test. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $2 trillion global electronics industry.

About WHMA

The Wiring Harness Manufacturer’s Association® (WHMA) was established in 1993. WHMA® is the ONLY organization exclusively serving American manufacturers of wiring harnesses, electronic cable assemblies, and cord sets, along with their suppliers and distributors. WHMA® members have banded together as a not-for-profit association in the spirit of volunteerism and mutual benefit to provide the only industry forum through which member companies can aggressively solve both their specific problems and also address pressing industry problems. The WHMA is dedicated to providing our members the technical support, access to leading edge technology, benchmarking and the ability to network with the leaders in wire processing equipment, services and manufacturing.

Risk is an inevitable factor throughout all of our lives. However, when we make safety top-of-mind, we’re empowered to make smart decisions that ultimately reduce the risk of injury.

With many workplaces putting a heightened emphasis on safety, it’s no surprise that the average number of injuries is trending downward overall. Just four decades ago, 14,000 U.S. workers were killed on the job each year – a number that has now fallen closer to 5,000 workers.

It’s certainly no time to become complacent, however, considering that 2016 saw a slight increase in work-related fatalities. In fact, the number rose above 5,000 for the first time since 2008.

Falling is the leading cause of work-place fatalities. Not surprisingly, this coincides with the number one most cited OSHA standards violation: fall protection. While accidents do happen, protecting employees and reducing the risk of injury should be top-of-mind well beyond the month of June.

Prioritizing Employee Well-Being as Part of Company Culture

At ALTEX Wire and Cable, being conscious about the health, safety and overall well-being of our employees is part of our company culture. We’re always diligent about our practices, and every employee completes safety training, with a focus on being alert and aware your surroundings, and reviewing safe operating procedures for all equipment.

Beyond initial training, as well as keeping our facilities clean and safe, we also address employee well-being in a few additional ways:

• Inclement weather safety
• Lockout/Tagout procedures
• Forklift safety training
• Electrical safety training
• Eye safety and protection
• First aid care

Every employee deserves to work in a positive and protected environment. Moreover, happy and healthy employees take great pride in their craft and workmanship, and these are the types of team members that make ALTEX thrive year after year.

Interested in becoming part of the ALTEX team? Find out about our job openings.

Training the next generation of STEM professionals requires cooperative efforts between schools and local employers. Though today’s classrooms are more dynamic than ever, internships offer a real-world look into advanced manufacturing careers, encouraging students to find their passion and future direction.

STEM Summer Experience at ALTEX

We’re thrilled to welcome four interns from Westfield High School to be part of the ALTEX team this summer. They’ll be gaining hands-on experience, developing their skills and seeing what it’s like to work in the manufacturing industry.

Possibly unlike other fields, engineering internships are much more exciting than days spent taking coffee orders. Our interns will work closely with Brian Cline, ALTEX quality engineer, and their summer will be filled with:

• Learning basic metrology
• Performing gauge repeatability and reproducibility studies
• Performing capability studies on the ALTEX process
• Implementation of a new preventative maintenance tracking system
• Cycle time analysis
• Work instruction and visualization development

The more opportunities we give students to truly try their hands at working on innovative projects and solving real-world problems, the more future leaders, inventors and visionaries will opt for careers in STEM.

Hear from Our Interns

We asked our interns to introduce themselves, tell us what drew them to an internship at ALTEX, and what they believe their future holds.

Meet Corey

My name Corey Phillips. I am a senior at Westfield High School where I run cross-country and track. Some of my interests include running, traveling, engineering and photography. During this summer, I am looking to further explore the field of engineering and gain some experience while on the job.

To me, ALTEX is the perfect place to explore engineering and manufacturing, learning concepts that a high school can’t teach.

After high school, I am looking to continue my education at the University of Cincinnati, Trine University or Purdue University. In the future, I am hoping to pursue a career in civil engineering.

Meet Matthew

My name is Matthew Vaughn, not the famous director, and I play a host of roles around my community. For starters, I am a drum major, which entails a lot of late nights out on the practice field long after the sun goes down. I also volunteer frequently and will be on the student board for my school’s National Honor Society.

I applied to ALTEX because I want the opportunity to prove myself – my leadership, my determination, and my skills. I want to demonstrate my character in a workplace setting. And in just one day, this internship has already been a blast. I know that this will be a great experience and I am eager for what the future holds.

I do plan on using this as a springboard for my future studies. I either plan to study nuclear engineering along with civil (or architectural) engineering, so I can conceptualize, test and develop methods for new, clean energy production, or study propulsion and aerospace engineering so I might help connect a global community to new resources within the cosmos or even as a humble designer for innovative transportation.

Meet Charlie

My name is Charlie Degnan and I will be a senior at Westfield High School next year. I’m the oldest in my family with three crazy little brothers. I play high school soccer as well as club soccer for Indy Fire Juniors once the high school season ends.

I love to learn, and I’m very interested in engineering, which is one of the main reasons why I am so excited for this opportunity. I hope to see and find out for the first time what engineering in the real world is all about.

After high school I plan to attend college, and as of right now Purdue University is a main frontrunner. I’m sure my plan will change a million times between now and then but, in terms of engineering, I plan to study either chemical or aerospace engineering.

Meet Will

My name is Will Vance and I’m 16. I have two younger brothers and a younger sister. I am a straight-A student and plan on a rigorous schedule with numerous AP courses in my next two high school years. So far I have most enjoyed my physics related courses (Honors Physics and Intro to Engineering) and my computer courses (AP CS, Game Prog I, Game Prog II). In my time outside of school, I help tutor kids at Carey Ridge on Wednesdays, help in Sunday school every other week, and help at Nora fun Saturdays, which are every third Saturday.

In this job, I hope to gain valuable work experience and knowledge as well as possible insight into my future career. I will most likely be an engineer or a computer programmer, but I haven’t narrowed it down yet.

Interested in learning more about our work at ALTEX? Check out our case studies.