LAI International earns Minority Business Enterprise certification

LAI International is proud to announce it has received national certification as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE).

As you may know, the MBE certification is the most widely recognized certification for minority-owned businesses in the United States. To receive MBE certification, a company must be at least 51 percent owned, operated and controlled by an ethnic minority U.S. citizen and undergo a stringent review process.

LAI International’s certification was granted Aug. 20 by the board of directors of the Grand Canyon Minority Supplier Development Council through criteria established by the National Minority Supplier Development Council. RLJ Equity Partners had expanded its investment in LAI International to a full ownership position in February.

“We’re honored to receive MBE certification, which helps us build a strong platform to expand new business opportunities,” Patrick J. “P.J.” Gruetzmacher, Chief Executive Officer and President of LAI International, said. “The certification and the expansive network of corporate members and businesses will help place LAI in a favorable position for continued growth.”

LAI will be listed in a national database, which can be accessed by all 37 regional minority-purchasing councils and thousands of corporations and businesses across the country.

LAI International focuses new core company values on the customer

What’s the focus of LAI International’s new core company values? Serving the customer—above all else.

A team of employees from all LAI locations were selected to met and create the new company values, which were released this month.

The values cover integrity, teamwork, focus, accountability and focus.

Our Core Values

LAI International serves the customer above all else. We hold true the recognition that the customer is the real reason we are all here. We must have the ability to place the customer’s needs above all else, especially when it is difficult to do. We base our culture on commitment to our customers; integrity, responsibility, trust and tolerance; and respect for others.

Integrity

• Treat others the way you want to be treated.
• Apply truth and honesty in dealing with all people.
• Build mutual trust through ethical and responsible thoughts, words and actions.

Teamwork

• Build an environment of open communication, sharing of ideas and best practices, across and within all facilities.
• Speak up, debate and disagree; but decide, commit to the decision and make it a success.

Focus

• Be positive, adaptable and competitive.
• Deliver quality results to ensure the success of LAI, which in turn, will ensure the success of our customers.

Accountability

• Take ownership and responsibility, follow through and be accountable for your actions.
• Focus on moving forward, learning and growing in response to mistakes and challenges.

Innovation

• Think forward, take calculated risks, be agents of continuous improvement and adapt quickly.
• Create a learning environment in which we develop skills and invest in our associates.

— Established June 2012

: www.LAIco.com/company-difference.html

Results of wellness program show employees exercise more, lose weight and quit smoking

LAI International employees were among more than 30,000 walkers and runners in a recent Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Phoenix, Ariz.

Employees participating in LAI International’s Wellness Program in its first full year show impressive results. Overall, employees lost hundreds of pounds, logged thousands of hours of exercise, ate better and quit smoking.

Results of the program in 2011 show:

• 30 percent of employees participated.
• 2,600 hours of exercise were reported during two contest periods.
• 310 pounds were lost.
• 3 employees lost 40 pounds or more.
• 4 additional employees lost 15-39 pounds.
• 6 employees tried to quit smoking.
• 4 employees successfully quit smoking.

Meanwhile, Industry Market News reported today that a recent study shows employer-sponsored programs encouraging workers to become more active and lead healthier lifestyles can have dramatic results in and out of the workplace.  Simply walking is effective in improving employee health and well-being, according to research by the Foundation for Chronic Disease Prevention in the Workplace and Lancaster University’s Centre of Organizational Health and Wellbeing.

LAI International’s Wellness Program, recognizes and supports a healthy lifestyle, fitness and overall wellness in its workforce. Team LAI was established Sept. 23, 2010 with a mission to promote a happy and healthy workforce across the company, communicate internal news, support community causes, and encourage fitness, wellness and a healthy lifestyle.

Its goal is to help make LAI a great place to work, and to make LAI a visible and positive member of the communities in which it operates. Team LAI has created a comprehensive wellness program, which includes weight-loss, healthy diet and fitness initiatives for LAI International employees.

AIA recognizes LAI International for supporting Second to None campaign

The Aerospace Industries Association recognized LAI International today for its contribution to the Second to None campaign, supporting the economic contributions of the U.S. aerospace and defense industry.

LAI International is one of 154 full members and has a representative on AIA’s board of governors. AIA also has 180 associate members.

LAI International makes Copper Wing medallions for Phoenix Film Festival

LAI International plays a behind-the-scenes supporting role in the Phoenix Film Festival.

For several  years, LAI’s Phoenix manufacturing facility has machined the distinctive Copper Wing medallions for Phoenix Film Festival awards. LAI uses waterjet-cutting technology to machine the signature rising-Phoenix design.

The 12th annual Phoenix Film festival, held March 29 through April 5, 2012 at Harkins Scottsdale 101 theater complex, Phoenix, began as a showcase for feature films produced for less than $1 million and short films made for less than $50,000.

The Phoenix Film Festival is now the largest attended film festival in Arizona, with 15,000 attendees in recent years. The Phoenix Film Festival screens more than 150 films.

A close-up shows the detail of the Copper Wing medallion waterjet cut from a sheet of copper by LAI International, Phoenix, Ariz., for the Phoenix Film Festival awards.

Peter Fonda, actor and director of “Easy Rider,” accepts a Copper Wing Tribute Award in 2004.

Webb Pickersgill (center) was awarded Arizona Filmmaker of the Year at the Phoenix Film Festival in 2009.

Peter Weller, best know for his role in “Robocop,” accepts a Copper Wing Tribute Award in 2011.

Festival director Chris LaMont (from left), Monty Lapica, festival director Jason Carney and festival programmer Greg Hall appear before the media as accepts a Copper Wing Award for Best Ensemble Acting in “Self+Medicated” at the 2006 Phoenix Film Festival.

New exhibit graphics feature aerospace and power generation programs supported by LAI International

Completed exhibit collages feature some of the aerospace and power generation programs LAI International supports.

LAI International’s marketing group completes new graphics to feature in an exhibit  at the first Aerospace & Defense Supplier Summit, Seattle, March 12-15, 2012.

The images are designed to show LAI’s capabilities as a complete manufacturing solutions provider for commercial and defense aerospace structural components and for air- and land-based power generation equipment, including gas, steam and hydro turbines, and solar, wind and nuclear industry sectors.

Crowds break record at Power-Gen International Expo in Las Vegas

Attendance hit a record-breaking 20,233 at Power-Gen International Expo, Las Vegas, Dec. 13-15, 2011, according to Pennwell, who manages the Power-Gen franchise, which travels around the world.

A total of 1,284 companies exhibited at the show, in a number Pennwell reported today. Here are the statistics we’ve been recording.

Power-Gen International Expo, 2004-11

Year	Place	Attendees	Exhibitors
2004	Orlando	14,912	1,065
2005	Las Vegas	15,678	1,034
2006	Orlando	16,086	1,082
2007	New Orleans	16,200	1,122
2008	Orlando	18,350	1,215
2009	Las Vegas	18,251	1,279
2010	Orlando	19,272	1,221
2011	Las Vegas	20,233	1,284

LAI International’s 10-foot by 20-foot corner booth drew steady traffic at the world’s largest power generation event, and the Strategic Markets Group met many old and new friends alike.

The marketing department has already made hotel reservations for Power-Gen International at Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., Dec. 11-13, 2012. Mark your calendars to meet the LAI International team at Booth 5430. LAI plans to showcase a new exhibit, featuring a close-up, hands-on view of precision components manufactured using its advanced machining processes for make-complete precision turbine components.