Teach don’t touch for poison prevention!

As founder of the Pittsburgh Poison Center and the National Poison Center Network, Dr. Moriarty created Mr. Yuk stickers for parents in the 70’s and 80’s to protect kids from poisons in the home.

Dr. Moriarty felt that the traditional skull and crossbones representing poison were no longer appropriate for children. The stickers were meant for people to slap on dangerous household products and if it scared you off as kid, that sticker did what it was meant to do.

Child Poisoning Facts

Across the United States, around 800,000 kids are rushed to the emergency room each year because of accidental poisoning. Of these, around 30 children will die, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Around 70% of non-fatal poisonings involve children ages 1 to 2.
Overall, around 24 million people call poison control centers every year. Although most of these accidental poisonings do not turn out to be serious, it illustrates just how common accidental poisonings involving kids actually are.

Even if we don’t see his green face, we need to be sure to teach kids to stay away from chemicals and take time this week to talk about the Poison Help Hotline.

Tips to Prevent Poisonings

Buy products that children can’t open easily. Be aware that child-resistant caps are not risk free. Once a child learns how to open containers with these caps, they will not keep a child safe. A child will only take longer to open them.

Keep medicines, cleaners, and other poisons out of sight. Keep them in cabinets that are locked or in cabinets that children can’t open.

Be careful when using medicines, cleaners, and other poisons. Don’t leave them open when you answer the phone or doorbell. Replace the cap. Take the product with you. Poisonings can happen in just a few seconds.

Always keep products in the containers they came in.

Install carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home.

Never take medicine in the dark.

Be careful when taking more than one medicine. Read the labels to avoid an overdose. When taking more than one medicine at a time, make sure it’s safe to take them together.

Brenda Lovitz, Risk & Safety Manager

SPAM®

March is the month in which the UK celebrates SPAM Appreciation Week. Although the U.S. doesn’t hold a SPAM appreciation week in March, it is our National Deli Meat Month. Before reading this monthly How It’s Made article on SPAM, check out this link to learn more about National Deli Meat Month.

Let’s start with some interesting facts about SPAM.

SPAM is brought to you by the Hormel Foods company which has sold more than 8 BILLION cans since it’s introduction in 1937 (in 44 countries).

Note: Hormel Foods Company was founded in 1891 right here in my home state of Minnesota!

Upon creation, SPAM had an easy lead on their competition. Unlike other canned meat products, it did not require refrigeration.
The name “SPAM” came from a contest in which the winner received $100.00 for coming up with the name.
No one really knows what (or if) SPAM stands for (something) specific.

Is it short for “shoulder of pork and ham”?

Does it stand for “spiced ham”?

It was widely used by U.S. troops during World War II. In fact, troops even used it to lubricate their guns and grease their boots.
Hormel estimates they sell three cans of it every second!
SPAM shows up in 1 of 3 American households.
Hawaii and Guam are two of the biggest SPAM consumers in the world, due to the introduction of it during World War II.

The average citizen in Guam consumes 16 cans of it per year.

SPAM is sold at McDonalds in Guam.

SPAM is considered a delicacy in South Korea and is often given as a sign of respect during the holidays.

How It’s Made

The creator of SPAM, Jay Hormel, was inspired by a trip to the deli where he saw canned meat being sliced by the butcher. Jay decided Hormel’s next product would be a canned meat. After some trial and error, Jay also determined he could cut out the middle man (a butcher) by selling smaller cans of the meat directly to the consumer, allowing consumers to cut it themselves. This, and the fact that SPAM did not need to be refrigerated unlike other canned meats, was a real game changer for American households!

As a result of its hero status, Minnesotans are proud to call Spam ours, even if others label it a “Mystery Meat”, and we are here today to demystify it.

SPAM Ingredients

Ground Pork mixed with Ground Ham
Salt
Water
Sugar
Sodium Nitrite
Potato Starch (an ingredient not used until 2009)

The primary cut of pork used in SPAM is pork shoulder because at the time of creation, it was the most difficult meat to process for other purposes. Sodium Nitrite stops the growth of bacteria which can cause food poisoning and it also creates the pink appearance due a chemical reaction occurring between it and the meat’s protein. In 2009, 72 years after creation, the recipe started including potato starch. This starch acts as a binder and prevents the meat from drying out in a pan.

Manufacturing Process

Now, to take these six simple ingredients and create something as ground breaking as SPAM, we need to do the following:

Hand carve the meat from the bone and grind it up in 8,000-pound batches at very specific temperatures for specific times (about 20 minutes).
Utilize a vacuum mixing machine to super cool the meat to a freezing temperature.
Mix in all other ingredients.
Funnel the mixture into cans then vacuum seal and label the cans.
Cook the cans in hydrostatic cookers (which utilize steam and pressure to heat and cool the meat one last time). These machines can process 33,000 cans every hour!
Package and palletize cans for shipment.

Yes, that’s it. Six ingredients, six steps. It’s all really simple, isn’t it? And really, there’s nothing mysterious about it!

With all that said, if you haven’t tried SPAM, as a proud Minnesotan, I think you should! Grab a can from your grocery or convenience store and give it a go. If you need something to go with it, try some cheese (check out my article on how cheese is made) or simply fry it up in a pan. A quick Google search will give you so many recipes, including SPAM Sushi.

Happy Eating!

FAQs for PMG

PMG provides labor solutions to American manufacturers. That’s what we do in a nutshell and we take the “solution” part of that equation seriously. As a result, all of us here end up asking a lot of questions to make sure we find the right way to solve the real problem. During that process, we end up getting asked a fair amount of questions ourselves. This blog is our effort to provide answers to the questions PMG employees get asked the most.

What is Industry 4.0?

Great question! Here at PMG, we’re big proponents of the continuous improvement mindset necessary to adapt and adjust to the consistent changes Industry 4.0 requires of manufacturers and fabricators. But what is it, actually? Industry 4.0 refers to the fourth industrial revolution and the rise of digitization and automation in pursuit of “Lights Out Manufacturing”.

Earlier industrial revolutions happened with steam and water power, electricity and assembly lines. Finally, computerization transformed then-standard models for production. This latest revolution is all about the confluence of those previous breakthroughs through use of integration technologies to create interconnected networks of systems that can communicate with each other. Basically, Industry 4.0 is the point where our cyber and digital worlds are meeting in real time and it will impact all disciplines, economies, and industries.

What does it benefit?

Many of you have heard of Industry 4.0 before, but you’ve probably just heard it referred to in terms of robots coming to take your jobs. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

According to a comprehensive study conducted by the Hays Global Skills Index, we’re expecting technology to eliminate close to 75 million jobs in the next decade. That’s a lot, but the same study estimates close to twice as many new jobs (133 million) will be created. Put simply, the robots won’t take your jobs. In fact, they will make them better, easier, and safer.

Read this Bernard Marr article if you’d like to learn more about the benefits, to all industries, of early Industry 4.0 adoption.

What’s next?

In one word, change. That’s why we believe so firmly in the importance of a continuous improvement mindset. Industry 4.0 is not going to eliminate jobs, but it will cause them to change continuously and consistently for the rest of your career. You need to prepare yourself to be able to change your skills and focus right along with them.

Most commonly, technology changes jobs by moving the human element (you) further and further from where material and machine meet. That’s where inefficiencies, injuries, and human errors occur. This means that, as important as your technical skills are and always will be, the five technological skills below are just as important for you (according to a Deloitte study) to master in the future. These abilities will be necessary for you to be able to continue to apply your technical skills to your job as your trade or facility is disrupted throughout Industry 4.0.

Technology & Computer Skills
Programming Skills for Robotics & Automation
Critical Thinking
Working with Tools & Techniques
Digital Skills

Additional Resources

If you’d like to learn more about Industry 4.0, or how to prepare your career for it, watch our free webinar Manufacturing in the Future: The Changes Yet to Come.

Did you find this informative? Send your questions to our Writing Team and keep an eye out for future FAQ’s for answers!

Want more FAQ? Check out our post on Supply Chain.

PMG Employee Spotlight with Emily B.

Emily has a B.A. in Operations & Supply Chain Management from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. She’s been with PMG for almost 4 years as an Operations Analyst with our ReTool Team.

About Emily

I grew up in Minnesota and I’ve lived here my whole life. I currently live in Minneapolis with my two cats. No, I’m not a crazy cat lady – yet. I graduated from the University of St. Thomas in 2019 so I’m a pretty recent grad.

What do you like most about working for PMG?

What I like most about PMG is the work environment. I’m great friends with several of my coworkers, which is rare at some workplaces. Another part I like about the environment is everyone is very driven! We celebrate the victories and work hard to achieve them.

What are your main responsibilities as a ReTool Operations Analyst?

I help with research to grow the business by collecting data and analyzing it to determine what is worthwhile, or not, for PMG to pursue. From working with different technical schools around the country to researching new avenues for PMG to explore, it’s all over the place.

What do you like most about your job?

I like that it’s different each day and it’s very challenging. It requires me to think critically and outside of the box.

What did you do prior to working at PMG?

I mainly worked in the restaurant industry serving and selling pull tabs! I started at PMG when I was still in school as a Market Insights intern in 2017. Since then, I’ve helped out in other areas such as recruiting and lead generation before moving into my current position full-time after graduation.

What are some career lessons you’ve learned thus far?

One career lesson I’ve learned is to not be afraid to ask questions! Even if you think it’s a dumb question, it’s better to know what you’re doing versus guessing. You can learn a ton from simply asking questions.

What advice would you give to a recent new hire at PMG?

Going off the question above I would say the same. All of your coworkers have different strengths and experiences so you can learn a lot from them.

What did you want to be when growing up?

I was all over the place, but when I registered for college, I registered as a neuroscience major. After my first chemistry class, my major quickly changed to business!

What animal best describes you at work?

I would say a giraffe. When I’m able, I like to “stick my neck out” and see where I can reach out and help with other departments. We’re all one big team after all!

What are some hobbies you do in your free time?

I enjoy working out, traveling, and hitting up new restaurants. I also love attending music festivals and concerts. I recently just got back from skiing in Breckenridge!

Where is the best place you’ve traveled and why?

I really liked Prague. I thought the architecture was beautiful and the food was amazing. I went in the winter when all the winter markets were open. I also went to an underground cave turned wine bar and the bar was made of out ice. Even my cup was made of ice.

What celebrity/inspirational person do you admire the most?

Robin Williams! He was a great actor and comedian who had genuinely good intentions.

What’s your favorite restaurant and your must-order there?

Hmmm, that’s a really tough one. I would have to say Mongo’s. It is a Mongolian restaurant in St. Cloud where you build your own stir fry.

You’re happiest when…

Traveling! I love Minnesota but being by the ocean, or in the mountains, is a breath of fresh air – literally.

February is American Heart Month and February 14^th is Valentines Day. It seems all things heart-related happen this month. In recognition, we’re spotlighting the pacemaker, a small medical device that controls the pace of a beating heart and movement of blood throughout the body.

Before we get into the making of the pacemaker, let’s talk quickly about the way a pacemaker works and the components that help it do its job. Although pacemakers are widely believed to regulate your heart, they actually regulate your electrical system and your electrical system ultimately controls your heart rhythm. With each heartbeat, an electrical impulse travel from the top of your heart to the bottom of your heart, triggering the contraction of your muscles and creating your pulse.

Pacemakers are implanted into your chest, abdomen, or shoulder. When doing so, surgeons connect the pacemaker via wires inside your veins. The wires often have electrodes. These electrodes are either inside your heart’s chambers or placed directly on the surface of your heart. Some hearts require a two-wire pacemaker while others require a one-wire pacemaker. What’s a wire, though?

Pacemakers consist of two main parts: the pulse generator and the wire or wires (lead or leads).

Additionally, most pacemakers also have an electrode at the end of the wires. The pulse generator does just that – generates a pulse/electrical signal through the use of a connector, electronic circuitry, and a battery. Wires or leads send these electronic signals to your heart.

How to make a pacemaker?

Simply put, manufactures assemble pacemakers with their preferred component pieces. The steps below outline the assembly process:

Gather components: battery, wires, motherboard (circuitry), electrodes, and titanium casing
Connect the motherboard to the battery
Insert the connected motherboard and battery into titanium casing
Place a fitting onto the casing to create a connecting point for the wires
Inspect, inspect, inspect – before, during, and after
Perform electronic and environment testing – before, during, and after

That’s it! For such an amazing piece of equipment, it all seems rather simple, doesn’t it? However, it’s not. Pacemakers (and medical devices as a whole) and their individual components are highly-regulated and repeatedly tested. They must meet a variety of standards. Let’s be glad, considering the all-important job a pacemaker has! And if you can, practice the following Heart Healthy Tips & Tricks!

Happy American Heart Month!

Kim Mooney, Technical Manager & Coach

PMG believes that those who eat better work better. This post is our effort to improve the American workforce one lunchbox at a time. We want you to feed yourself with something that fuels you better and we have lunch tips, tricks, and recipes to make that possible! If you missed our last lunchbox hack, check it out on our blog now.

Lunch Tip

Here in Minnesota, we’re experiencing our first extended stay of the year below zero and keeping hot food warm is more difficult than ever. In weather like this, a quality cooler and/or insulated thermos can be worth it’s weight in gold. When choosing the appropriate lunchbox for your break time, consider the following items:

Hard or soft sides
Sturdy handle/overall construction
Capacity (overall size, liquids vs. solids ratio of what you pack)
Cost
Freezer packs (do you have access to a fridge at work?)

If you still can’t decide what’s best for your needs, think about a full meal system like this one from Isolator Fitness.

Lunch Trick

HotHands are great for keeping food hot! If you’re working in extremely cold weather, even a well-insulated lunchbox struggles to hold much heat all the way up to break time. The easiest way to work around this is to give your cooler some extra warmth to work with. Try starting the day by packing your lunch along with a freshly activated chemical handwarmer. This trick is easy and remote jobsite-friendly for those locations with limited electrical access. If your meals are still too cold, just add handwarmers to your bucket periodically throughout the morning. If you’d like more ideas for keeping food hot while you’re working hard, check out this list of tricks that won’t break the bank.

Recipe

February 2 was National Tater Tot Day – check out our post on it here. We’ll continue our celebration of tots, by including a recipe of every Midwesterner’s favorite – Tater Tot Hotdish (that means casserole, for all you non-Northerners). Click here for a Taste of Home recipe that will have you making hotdish like a real Minnesotan. If you like what you learn, skim through our other blog posts here the next time you’re hungry for more knowledge!

Dave is a Senior Technical Solutions Coordinator and has been with PMG for more than 5 years. He is also the Commissioner of our annual PMG Fantasy Football League and the organizer of our (pre-COVID) weekly trivia contests!

About Dave R…

I was born in Illinois, and raised in Minnesota, so I am a Midwestern boy at heart. I was a teacher for much of my life before coming to PMG. I am still an avid history nerd. I enjoy outdoor athletics of all kinds, but love going to movies in a theater. I am married, for almost 4 years, with our first child on the way now. I could not be happier to see what 2021 will bring us!

What do you like most about working for PMG?

PMG is a smaller company but we do big things every year. We work as a team, top to bottom, and everyone buys into the process. It’s nice to work with people who are great at their jobs, and share the same passion as I do.

What are your main responsibilities as a Senior Technical Solutions Coordinator?

As a Technical Solutions Coordinator, I am responsible for finding new, qualified technicians to work projects for our company. On a daily basis I am responsible for interviewing candidates, sourcing job search engines, contacting references, working through logistics/travel items, and other assorted communications, meetings, and paperwork.

What do you like most about your job?

Every day I work for a company whose goal is to find quality jobs for people looking to travel (and to find quality people for those jobs). In a sense I ‘sell’ people jobs and I stand behind the positions we offer.

What did you do prior to working at PMG?

I taught middle school/high school social studies for years. I originally took a part-time job here for a summer and that ended up turning into a full-time opportunity. Almost six years later now and I’ve enjoyed all of it.

What advice would you give to a recent new hire at PMG?

Listen, take notes, and don’t be afraid to do outside research. Much of our work is based on knowing the positions we offer, inside and out, so industry knowledge is highly important!

What are some career lessons you’ve learned thus far?

I’ve learned that there is definitely more than one way to get something accomplished. Also, you need to listen and take advice as it is given. Working as a team makes it a lot easier to think as a team, and that is where we find success.

What did you want to be when growing up?

I wanted to be a paleontologist. I loved dinosaurs growing up, but actually went to school for engineering originally.

What animal best describes you at work?

A moose. I am a Northern creature. I am stout and steady. And, when I’m on a roll, it’s a good idea to get out of my way!

What are some hobbies you do in your free time?

I am an AVID sports fan! I like to read (usually history), love live music, and I like to cook too. You will often find me at various beer festivals occasionally as well.

Where is the best place you’ve traveled and why?

For me (and my wife) it’s Kona, Hawaii, also known as ‘The Big Island’. It’s our favorite place on Earth, and we have traveled a LOT together.

What celebrity/inspirational person do you admire the most?

Nelson Mandela. He was imprisoned for 27 years due to apartheid in South Africa and, when he was released and then elected President, he ONLY spoke of healing and unity rather than revenge and bitterness. I don’t know if I could do that, but he did and the world is a better place for it.

You’re happiest when…

I am laughing with my wife. She and I are expecting out first child this spring, so any time we get together is literally the happiest moments of my life.

What’s your favorite restaurant and your must-order there?

I love good Mexican food but, since moving back to Minnesota from Arizona eight years ago, I have not found a good (great?) spot yet! So, I stick to local foods. My personal favorite is the 5-8 Club. They are the home to the ORIGINAL Juicy Lucy (a cheeseburger with the cheese stuffed inside and melted). But I say what you MUST get is actually their Poppa’s-style wings with blue cheese. If you don’t like it, it’s on me!

SPAM®

How It’s Made

SPAM Ingredients

Manufacturing Process

FAQs for PMG

What is Industry 4.0?

What does it benefit?

What’s next?

Additional Resources

Lunch Tip

Lunch Trick

Recipe

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