Significant Change, Same Focus

Some improvements shops make are relatively small. Other efforts are more significant. In this Shop’s case, our redesigned magazine layout in a larger format represents a healthy stride we’ve taken on our continuous-improvement path.

As all shops that make fundamental changes should do, we made sure that the steps we’ve taken in revising the magazine’s layout (and accompanying content-rich Web site) didn’t lead us astray from our mission. In our case, that mission is to present the latest machining technologies that can help you perform your job more efficiently and to demonstrate how advanced equipment and manufacturing concepts are being effectively applied in shops and facilities of all sizes. In doing so, we hope to provide you with the critical information you need to make sound decisions as you progress through new-equipment purchasing cycles.

So, our direction remains the same. What we’ve done is improve the way we present this information to you.

The reaction loyal readers might have to a change in the magazine’s signature size was at the top of our minds during initial discussions for the redesign. That certainly wasn’t lost on me, as I had been an avid reader of the magazine for 12 years before joining Modern’s editorial staff. Although the magazine’s original size was certainly distinctive and clearly recognizable, I quickly realized that it was the information that defined the essence and value of the magazine to its readers. That feeling was also evident in the positive feedback we received from a selection of readers that we queried early in our decision-making process.

I must admit, though, that I am curious as to what you think of the new look and the new size. If you have time, please shoot an e-mail to me and offer your thoughts. If you’ll be attending IMTS early this month, make it a point to stop by our booth at the entrance of the new West Hall and chat with us. You might also let us know if there are machining topics you’d like to see us cover more often in the magazine.

We hope that you feel Modern Machine Shop is “your” magazine just as much as it is “our” magazine, so I’d like to thank you for your continued support. I’d also like to thank the entire staff of Modern Machine Shop for being consummate professionals in changing over to this new size and layout scheme, especially coming off the heels of a massive, 432-page August issue.

The efforts we took in freshening and streamlining our magazine’s layout and Web site represent big steps we’ve taken to improve the MMS brand, but they won’t be our last. After all, there’s no end to continuous improvement.