Being a magnet consultant is ruining my social life.
John Ormerod
Magnetics Expert - Principal at JOC LLC - Consultant to the Global Magnetics, Rare Earths and Metals Industries
My wife and I recently relocated to East Tennessee and as a result we have been invited to numerous social gatherings as we rebuild our social network (real not virtual!). So here I am at one of these gatherings face to face with serial strangers. After exchanging names the next question is usually "what do you do for a living?" The conversation invariably goes something like; "Well I'm a consultant. Oh and what type of consulting? Well, magnetics, you know, magnets." This is when a strange countenance appears over my new acquaintance as they think of red horseshoes and iron filings or perhaps the flexible magnet holding the grandkids drawings on the fridge. Maybe I'm paranoid but I also detect both a physical and mental detachment as they imperceptibly inch away from me. To recapture their attention I quickly launch into my explanation of while magnets are hidden from sight they are critical components for modern society; over 100 magnets per car, smartphones, tablets and PC's depend on them, essential for medical diagnostic equipment and so on and so on. If I have managed to regain tentative contact with the person I then shift gears into the subject of the Chinese dominance of this critical industry and the geopolitical uncertainty of rare earth raw materials supply. If they are still in earshot I quickly segue into the history of permanent magnets and the dramatic improvements in performance picturing in my head the chart below:
Courtesy of Magnet Applications, Inc.
Then, oblivious to their glazed look, I launch into the different types of magnetic materials and the exciting manufacturing processes from melting and casting, powder metallurgy to injection molding. This is rapidly followed by a quick run down of global magnet R and D efforts underway. Typically, this is when other than a few kind souls most inexplicably have excused themselves and headed to the find an adult beverage. If I'm fortunate my wife notices the awkwardness and moves in to rescue my recent acquaintance and with grace and good humor recovers a potential friendship.
I have been involved in the magnet Industry since 1979 except for a spell when I ran an automotive metal stamping business. While I enjoyed the time outside the industry I came to realize I never developed the emotional attachment I have for magnetics and the magnet industry; once you get hooked (attracted!) you never forget your first love.
So when one considers how modern society has become critically dependent on magnetic materials and permanent magnets in particular I have decided to change my answer to the question "what do you do?" My response will be as follows; "I consult in the single most important industry and enabling technology that provides society access to modern transportation, communication, health care, entertainment and convenience" Then I'll have more new friends than I can handle.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of magnetics and the magnetic industry please email me at [email protected] or visit my website at www.jocllc.com.
Managing Director @ Tengye Magnetic | Empower tech companies with magnet solutions
2 年Hi John, for me this is a great read. As you wrote this article six years ago, I was still in the first year as a university student, major in German, never thought of being involved in the permanent magnet industry after graduation. Now it is the 30th month I started my career in the magnet industry. At the very beginning, my job is a salesperson. But soon after I became very fascinated by the technology related to magnets. I used to think that selling magnet is more of a price game. But it isn’t. I have made a new magnetic design for one of my customers, which saved them over 1/4 million dollars in buying magnets last year. This made me realize that bigger business opportunities come from the deeper knowhow in magnetics. It’s also very interesting to meet so many industry peers in your comments, most of whom are senior than me. It’s like a family of magnet enthusiasts having a gathering from different times. Again, I enjoyed your article!
Sales Director ( high-end Alloy/titanium materials trading /recycled)
6 年I wish I can be your new neighbours ~!
Sales Engineer at Hill House Products
6 年John, you could always carry with you a Cow Pill and use it as an ice breaker. I keep one in my car at all times!
Entrepreneur / Serial Disruptor / Champion of an ever-evolving #TruerSelf, #HuSynergy and an emergent #HumanSingularity / Accelerating #HumanEvolution, Self-Coherence, #YOUniqueness, #TruerPurpose / #HuEcoSystem(s)
6 年Had we met anywhere and discussed your work I would have been intrigued... electromagnetism, magnets, toroids, nested-toroids, Tesla - the scientist and the company - and Rare Earths, ( ... and China's dominance of the market and its economic and political ramifications) are some of my favorite subjects :) We might even have met in Tennessee (UT associated gatherings) as I spent a year in Lenoir City near Knoxville... and during social gatherings I have also experienced the glazed-eye response in discussing my own work. :-)
Weizhong Magnetics Co.,Ltd - Manufacturer of permanent magnet assemblies
7 年Explaining and popularizing magnets and magnetics often happens in my social network, and I'm always the first to notice something is magnetic! With about 6 years magnetic career, do it and love it