No squeaking here

It’s an old saying, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease”. I have always thought of it in the context of the loudest or most prominent component getting the most [positive] attention. Meaning the axiom to me, has a positive inference.

Little did I know, when I researched it, predominately, the inference or meaning is a negative one. That the loudest or most noticeable PROBLEMS are the ones most likely to get attention.

Perhaps this is akin to one of those is the glass half full or half empty personality tests.

Turns out there are similar sayings all over the world.** Japan, “The stake that sticks up gets hammered down”, or “The nail that stands out gets pounded down,”. A Dutch proverb “Tall trees catch loads of wind”, (implying they are the first to go down) and “The wheat that’s growing above the mowing line [gets cut down]”. The Chinese proverb goes “The crying baby gets the milk” and Korean, “Pointy stone meets chisel.” while German and Spanish proverbs go, “The wheel that squeaks the loudest gets most of the grease.” and “He who does not cry does not get breastfed.”

PlastiCert prides itself on its ability to service its customers. That service goes beyond just making their parts but includes heading off problems before they “require grease”. Providing input on part design to minimize mold cost and processing issues. Offering processing options that reduce capital expenditure. Showing scenarios that benefit the customer’s needs rather than PlastiCert’s (manual vs auto running).

Sometimes we start to wonder why no one ever visits us here at PlastiCert. Customer visits are very rare, and if they occur typically geared at initial conversations or new programs.  Why does our conference room sit empty all the time? No squeaking here. No problems requiring attention and no oversite required to assure compliance with specifications and program needs.

So, if you hear “squeaking” coming from your other injection molder(s) and are repeatedly having to apply attention to them, perhaps you should give us a call. We are problem solvers not makers and while lonely at times, are happiest when you are happy!

** Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_squeaky_wheel_gets_the_grease