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MANUFACTURING

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When we purchase a product we do not even think of the processes that have to take place in order for the product to reach our hands.  So much is involved on the back end of things. Tammy Landrum is the purchasing coordinator BSF, Inc., and she understands the entire process including the math.

Can you explain what you do for a living? 

I work in the purchasing department, and I have been in this profession for seven and a half years.  Our company makes pump motor adaptors.  I process all of the purchase orders, and I purchase products from outside sources that are needed to complete the orders we receive.  I schedule shipments and create documents needed by our machinists in order to make the parts and the documents needed by our shipping department to ship the parts.

When do you use basic math in your job?

I use math each day when I send an order acknowledgement to the customer verifying the cost on each order. Sometimes I have to cost the part before I process the order.  Costing involves calculating the cost to manufacture the part during each phase of production and the marking that price up by a certain percentage to produce our profit margin.

Do you use any technology (like calculators or computers) to help with this math?

Yes, I use a computer everyday to input the orders and also to cost the orders. We have a configuration that calculates the price of each part. We quote the part to a customer and they place the order.

How do you think math helps you do your job better?

I would not be able to calculate the total amount due for each order without using math. Also, I could not calculate the price of each part without math.

How comfortable with math do you feel? 

I’m somewhat comfortable with math. I don’t have to do many calculations in my head.  I have a computer for that so I don’t think I would be very comfortable doing my job without my computer.

What kind of math did you take in high school?

I took algebra and basic math.  I liked math a lot. I always did well in my math classes.

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job?

I had to learn to use the software programs needed to do my job. I think my basic math skills made it easier for  me to learn what I needed to in order to do my job well.

Anything else you want to mention?

Math is important in our everyday lives. We use it more than we realize.

Of course, if you want to learn more about the role of math in the job position of purchasing coordinator, just reach out to me, and I will connect with her.

Can you imagine being the president of a twenty person manufacturing company–without  math?  Meet Kathy Keel, president of BSF, Inc. and let me tell you, she has to know her math.  In her position, she must keep an eye on profitability, for her own benefit and the benefit of her employees.  But for Kathy, the math goes even deeper. Let’s take a look.

Can you explain what you do for a living?

I am the president and co-owner of a manufacturing company that makes a custom part for the hydraulic industry, called a pump-motor adaptor. My main duties on a daily basis involve managing all of the office employees, designing custom fit pump motor adaptors, editing all drawings done by other designers, costing the part, and processing orders. I also do a lot of customer service as well as troubleshooting problems, processing payroll, and managing human resource duties.

When do you use basic math in your job?

I use basic math while designing the parts to figure dimensions and angles needed for design features. We have to research the dimensions of each component being attached to the adaptor (pump, motor, and coupling usually). Then, we have to design the adaptor to fit those components. This requires fractions and decimals to figure adaptor dimensions and tolerances. I also use math during costing/pricing activities in order to determine what our cost is for manufacturing the part and what our selling price should be on the final part. This involves working with money, percentages, and markups. In addition, I use math when processing payroll.

Do you use any technology (like calculators or computers) to help with this math?

I use a calculator, Microsoft Excel, and design programs such as Solidworks.

How do you think math helps you do your job better?

I could not properly design an adaptor to fit the components without math, and I could not cost and price parts without math. Overall, I couldn’t run a company without math. I use it in almost every facet of my business to make sure that we are profitable.

How comfortable with math do you feel?

I am somewhat comfortable with basic math only. I’m not comfortable at all with more complex math.

What kind of math did you take in high school?

One year of Algebra as a freshman.

Did you have to learn new skills in order to do the math you use in your job?

I had to learn to translate metric to English measurements and to equate fractions to decimals.

Have questions about Kathy’s company, their products, or her use of math skills at work?  Let me know and I’ll be happy to check in with her.