This Inspiration File has been prepared to help all of us become more familiar with the current state of the Non-Destructive Testing Industry. 

The File has been organized to set the context as we prepare to blitz the following new venture challenge:

How might we get the right person, on the right job, with the right equipment, at the right place and time, with the right price...For our clients (big capital intensive infrastructure owners and general contractors)...In ways that solve the entire problem (leveraging exponential technologies and new organizational models)...So that we lead the creation of the Equipment Economy and enable everyone to work together to make the world safer?

ExO NDT Overview provides insights into SBD strategy

Must Read & Must Watch provides introduction to the NDT industry, workforce, and equipment challenges

Recommended Reads & Watches provide a deeper immersion in the NDT marketplace challenges and opportunities

Introduction to Exponential Growth provides examples of the kinds of exponentials technologies and companies that we want to be considering throughout the Blitz in the conception of our new venture hypotheses

Please, spend 30 minutes doing this:

• Download and review the Stanley Black & Decker Powerpoint in the Overview
• Review the articles and videos in Must Read/Must Watch
• Watch the Salim Ismail’s talk on exponential growth in Introduction to Exponential Growth

To become more familiar with NDT from the perspective of People/Talent and Equipment, spend another 60 minutes reading the additional articles, watching the videos, and visiting some of the linked websites.

NOTE: To view the Inspiration File, you must be online.

We hope that you find this useful in preparation for our upcoming Blitz.

Click on the POWERPOINT link below to download Stanley Black & Decker’s strategic point of view on the NDT market opportunity.

Many Americans need jobs, or want better jobs, while employers have good jobs they can’t fill. Matching them up is the tricky part. There’s a strange disconnect between two of the big narratives about the American blue-collar work force right now. In one story, there is a population of unemployed and underemployed working-class adults for whom well-paying work seems increasingly out of reach; their jobs have gone overseas or become automated, and they find themselves working retail, or not working at all.

But an apparently conflicting story comes from American employers, which have been insisting for years that they have a hard time finding workers to fill many skilled blue-collar jobs. A 2015 report from the Manufacturing Institute, for example, found that seven in 10 manufacturing executives said they faced shortages of workers with adequate tech skills. A high proportion of existing skilled workers is also nearing retirement, which means a bigger gap is looming soon. By 2025, the report warned, two million jobs will be going unfilled.

Most countries have one or more organizations (“standards bodies”) that develop and publish technical industrial standards. Some don't, and those usually reference existing codes and standards for their manufacturing, fabrication and construction projects. In the United States, these organizations are usually independent organizations from private industry, but in many countries they are government agencies. The listing in the link below, which is not all-inclusive, provides examples of some of the standards bodies that are commonly used by NDT personnel.

Canada Faces Shortage of NDT Inspectors

Employers need to create more entry-level positions for non-destructive testing (NDT) inspectors to help alleviate a skills shortage, according to the Canadian Institute for NDE (CINDE). NDE includes techniques such as ultrasonic testing, radiography and thermography. NDT is a crucial part of quality and maintenance found in many industry sectors, including the nuclear utility, oil and gas, petrochemical, manufacturing, aerospace and construction sectors.

“Against that backdrop, Canada faces a shortage everywhere. We need to pay more attention at all levels: federally, provincially and at the owner/operator level to know whether or not we’re doing the right things to attract more people to this important occupation,” says Larry Cote, president and CEO of CINDE.

Your Career Path in NDT

The NDT industry suffers the double curse of being too far reaching to easily define, and largely hidden from public view. There are few NDT insiders who fully comprehend the scope and depth of the industry. This presents a quandary to those who may be considering a career in NDT. It’s also a problem for those already in the business who may be looking for the next step in their career.

The term “career path” conjures up thoughts of a clearly marked, well-trodden trail to be followed by an ambitious individual. In most industries, such avenues to success are long established.But in the world of NDT, career paths are like the streets in my hometown of Boston — winding, narrow, confusing, often one-way and frequently leading to dead ends.

How to Recruit NDT Personnel

NDT Aviation Careers

Responsibilities: 

• Under limited supervision, performs non-destructive tests on aircraft wheels and brakes in order to detect defects or discontinuities.
• Active NDT Level II required, if not active re-certification will be necessary
• Perform process controls, to ensure calibrated equipment is calibrated in accordance with the company’s calibration program.
• Performs preventive maintenance on equipment, as required.
• Follows procedures, processes and inspection techniques using various equipment in order to complete tasks.
• May supervise and train NDT trainees and/or Level I NDT technicians.
• As needed, will perform repairs and overhauls on aircraft wheels and brakes per Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and Component Maintenance Manual (CMM) requirements including removal of worn tires, disassembly, paint strip and/or cleaning, inspection, chemical treatment and assembly of components.
• Must ensure proper tracking and documentation of activities and parts control maintained.

The biggest growth driver for the non-destructive test training services market globally is a lack of qualified technicians. Due to aging infrastructure and vastly publicized industrial disasters and catastrophes, as well as growing investment in new infrastructure projects, demand for new technicians to cater to the needs of the NDT industry has increased incrementally. However, this demand is not being met as there is an evident shortage of technicians.

The scarcity of technicians, though, is more prominent in certain regions. For example, in North America, the shale oil and gas industry has created a boom, which is causing a shortage of technicians in the U.S., while the oil sands boom over the last three to four years has created a similar situation in Canada. The sudden increase in investment in new infrastructure to support greater oil and gas production has significantly increased demand for newer technicians in the industry that is being unmet; leaving NDT inspection service providers underprepared and at risk of losing out on key projects.

The non-destructive testing market is estimated to be $15.06 billion in 2016 and is projected to reach $24.23 billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 8.24% from 2016 to 2022. The non-destructive testing market is witnessing growth due to increasing demand for new infrastructures and the growing need to renovate the existing aging infrastructure. Outsourcing of non-destructive testing operations to third-party vendors and emergence of Industrial Internet of Things are additional factors propelling the growth of this market. However, the non-destructive testing market faces a series of challenges with respect to high cost of advanced non-destructive testing equipment and lack of skilled technicians.

Doppler

"Serving the equipment, supply, and repair needs of Non destructive Testing (NDT) professionals in diverse industries for over 40 years. Our sales representatives and customer care team are veteran NDT professionals who can help you solve tough inspection problems. They are backed up by a logistics team that is focused on timely and accurate order fulfillment. We truly value your business and know you have many choices when it comes to your NDT needs."

"Choosing the right NDT products is not easy.  With 35+ years of experience we know what works and what’s 'hype'. As a leading distributor of quality instruments and supplies we are committed to providing our customers with honest no-bull recommendations. Purchase online now through our secure shopping cart or feel free to contact us to further discuss your needs."

"With over 25 years in business we have built strong and lasting relationships with our clients and suppliers, leading to the introduction of new and innovative products into the NDT and Security markets. We continue to remain at the forefront of our industry due to our extensive NDT equipment product range coupled with our approach to customer service."

An example of a NDT equipment rental protection plan:

"Pine’s RPP agreement offers you and your company financial protection should an instrument get stolen or is involved in any incidental or accidental damage during the rental period. The RPP is not an insurance policy, but a method by which your financial obligation to repair or replace an instrument is greatly reduced. This is an added benefit that Pine offers to our customers to ensure peace of mind when on the job site."

"As one of the leading providers of NDT, RVI and Environmental inspection equipment worldwide, MFE Rentals offers a large inventory of equipment from top manufacturers. With everything from Ultrasonic Thickness Gauges to Material Testing Equipment and Ground Penetrating Radar, MFE Rentals has what you’re looking for."

"Supplying the NDE industry for 40 years, NDT Products is a one-stop shop for all aspects of non-destructive testing. They are committed to providing its customers with superior products and services in the NDE Industry. This includes New and Used Equipment, Calibrations, Testing, Repairs, Design, Manufacture and Consulting Services."

Although initially developed as a method for detecting defects in structures in order to safeguard against catastrophic failures, ultrasonic non-destructive testing (NDT) has evolved immensely to a technique considered the mainstay for the NDT industry. Today, ultrasonic NDT is not only capable of detecting surface and subsurface defects, but also quantifying these defects. Apart from defect detection, ultrasonic NDT is also utilized in the industrial world for thickness gaging. There has been a rapid evolution of ultrasonic NDT with game changing technological advancements being witnessed in the past decade.

Customers have no shortage of options when choosing NDT equipment. Experts say ultrasonic phased array and digital radiography are two of the hot trends in NDT now, but older technology continues to sell. As with any large purchase—from a computer to a washing machine—it helps to consider the available options, price, user friendliness, and time to operate. 

Choosing the right equipment is really a matter of choosing the right inspection method. The inspection method depends on the material, the accessibility and many other factors, such as safety and cost.

Non-destructive testing is essential for constructing, maintaining and evaluating the safety of all types of components and structures across many industries. Detecting cracks, corrosion and other discontinuities before there is a problem is an important safety issue for the public and an important financial issue for companies. All of the following industries include non-destructive testing and supplies as part of ongoing assessments within their industries: Aviation, Pipelines, Construction, Railways, Manufacturing, Water Treatment, Medical Imaging, Pharmaceuticals, and Homeland Security. 

With an estimated 60,000 NDT professionals working within the United States, the community is small but close-knit. Online communities are a great place to ask questions about different NDT tools and methods, get a feel for the job market in different regions and industries, seek advice about how to develop your NDT career and swap stories about your experiences on and off the job.

There are a lot of questions that arise when one thinks of starting their own NDT business. Questions like: What documentation is required? Do I need a Level III on my staff? How much will I need to spend on equipment? Where can I get used equipment? Do I need a website?

All of those questions are valid, and very important to consider when starting your own NDT business. However, these 5 essential tools/tips, given in the "Learn More" link below, should help you the most when you’re looking to start your own NDT business.

The NDT market represents a sub-segment of the broader testing, inspection and certification (TIC) industry, a $125 billion global market. The TIC industry spans a diverse range of primary end markets, including energy, manufacturing, transportation, aviation and healthcare. Driven by the perpetual and increasing demand for safety, quality and compliance, companies in the TIC industry provide a vast array of services throughout the full lifecycle of the underlying asset. The NDT market has displayed considerable expansion recently as a result of secular growth driven by recurring maintenance spending and expansionary capital investment, resulting in an estimated $3.5 billion in annual spending in the industry across all end markets. However, improvements in safety remain the primary motivator for TIC services as firms attempt to minimize the probability of catastrophic failure.

NDT services validate the integrity of materials and process equipment by detecting defects/deficiencies that could lead to failure and by providing analyses on asset life, asset usage, etc., offering a balance between quality control and cost effectiveness. This results in improved performance economics due to reduced repair costs, extended asset life, greater levels of safety, higher asset quality and compliance with standards and governmental regulations. Additionally, capacity utilization is improved as a result of reduced scheduled or unexpected downtime.

Safety testing and condition monitoring is a global issue to manage aging aircraft, electrical and oil facilities, tunnels, bridges and other infrastructure. These tests must be done without damage to the existing equipment and BCC Research predicts annual expansion in Nondestructive Testing (NDT), related services and supplies. The report Global Market for Nondestructive Testing Equipment and Services found that regional growth in Asia-Pacific will be strongest for 2017-22, particularly in leading technologies such as ultrasonic inspection and infrared thermography cameras.

Chemical, oil and gas facilities are expected to remain the largest industry focus for NDT, ranked by spending, rising from a $1.9 billion market in 2016 to $3.1 billion by 2022. Uses in aerospace, automotive and other industries combine to create a combined global industry forecast to reach $26.4 billion by 2022, according to BCC Research. The field encompasses a wide array of technologies from X-ray and visual testing to acoustical, liquid penetration and electromechanical inspections.

Exponential Technologies

Advanced Robotics are the technologies associated with the creation of automated machines that have a higher level of capability than stationary robots. These abilities can include movement, touch, communication and vision. In the coming years Advanced Robotics is expected to impact everyone, both at home and in the workplace. This is a technologically-complex emerging market with significant opportunities for the right application.

Industrial robots are on the verge of revolutionizing manufacturing. As they become smarter, faster and cheaper, they’re being called upon to do more. They’re taking on more “human” capabilities and traits such as sensing, dexterity, memory and trainability. As a result, they’re taking on more jobs - such as picking and packaging, testing or inspecting products, or assembling minute electronics. Also, a new generation of “collaborative” robots ushers in an era of shepherding robots out of their cages and literally hand-in-hand with human workers who train them through physical demonstration.

AI/Machine Learning

The most important general-purpose technology of our era is artificial intelligence: the simulation of human intelligence by machines. Especially significant is the development of machine learning (ML) — that is, the machine’s ability to keep improving its performance without humans having to explain exactly how to accomplish all the tasks it’s given. The most important thing to understand about ML is that it represents a fundamentally different approach to creating software: The machine learns from examples, rather than being explicitly programmed for a particular outcome.

The development of neural networks has been key to teaching computers to think and understand the world in the way we do, while retaining the innate advantages they hold over us such as speed, accuracy and lack of bias. A Neural Network is a computer system designed to work by classifying information in the same way a human brain does. It can be taught to recognize, for example, images, and classify them according to elements they contain. 

Virtual and Augmented Reality

In light of refined technology and widespread social acceptability, industry leaders are adopting VR and AR into daily workflows. From military training to architecture to ergonomic interior design, VR and AR are aiding more industries than ever. Decision makers are now integrating VR and AR technology in new and exciting ways.

A common and invaluable industrial application for VR and AR is augmenting the computer-aided design (CAD) process. Thanks to emerging technology, products designed in a CAD program can now be quickly and easily brought into a virtual reality or augmented reality environment. Nearly any industry that creates a physical product can now benefit from VR and AR integration into CAD.

Connected, smart Internet of Things (IoT) products are hailed as more proactive, efficient and customer service-oriented. Trackable devices allow manufacturers to efficiently service home appliances remotely and products can inform the user when something is wrong or needs to be replaced or refilled, making these “things” more valuable.

But, on a deeper level one of the most promising aspects of IoT in terms of sustainability is the ability to contribute to the circular economy. In the words of subject-matter expert William McDonough, “The circular economy is an economic system that is an innovation engine that puts the ‘re-‘ back into resources. It allows for continuous benefit to be provided to all generations by the reuse of things, of material, energy, water, [etc.]” In short, it’s a system where waste is repurposed and a product is designed so that at the end of its lifecycle, it is turned into something new and usable. 

Bitcoin is a cryptocurrency and worldwide payment system. It is the first decentralized digital currency – the system works without a central repository or single administrator. The network is peer-to-peer and transactions take place between users directly through the use of cryptography, without an intermediary. These transactions are verified by network nodes and recorded in a public distributed ledger called a blockchain. Bitcoin was invented by an unknown person or group of people under the name Satoshi Nakamoto and released as open-source software in 2009. Bitcoins are created as a reward for a process known as mining. They can be exchanged for other currencies, products, and services.

Exponential Organizations

Airbnb

Airbnb allows customers to list, discover, and rent lodging all around the world. The company offers a unique travel experience and somewhere new to call home for a while. Customers easily search online or on the Airbnb App to connect with people and their homes in more than 34,000 cities and 190 countries. Along with world-class customer service and a growing community of users, Airbnb is the easiest way for people to rent their extra spaces to an audience of millions. Airbnb hosts offer their homes and amenities to guests while providing local knowledge to create an experience that their guests would never encounter with traditional lodging. When people book with Airbnb they feel at home, no matter where they are.

Apple

Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software, and online services. The company's hardware products include the iPhone smartphone, the iPad tablet computer, the Mac personal computer, the iPod portable media player, the Apple Watch smartwatch, the Apple TV digital media player, and the HomePod smart speaker. Apple's consumer software includes the macOS and iOS operating systems, the iTunes media player, the Safari web browser, and the iLife and iWork creativity and productivity suites. Its online services include the iTunes Store, the iOS App Store and Mac App Store, Apple Music, and iCloud. 

Lyft

Lyft is a transportation network company based in San Francisco, Califorina with operations in 300 cities in the US. It develops, markets, and operates the Lyft software application, which allows consumers to request car transportation via the Lyft mobile app. It also allows drivers to earn income from delivering food or transporting passengers. Lyft drivers use their own personal cars, although drivers can rent a car to drive with Lyft.

Amazon

Through heavy investment in expansion, efficient use of inventory thanks to a lack of brick-and-mortar storefronts, and thousands of third-party affiliates, Amazon has an unmatched array of brands and products. Customers looking for a basket of diverse goods are going to be hard-pressed to find items elsewhere with free shipping, let alone a single store that has each item and the ability of next-day delivery. 

Amazon benefits from a cost structure that does not require the ongoing operation of thousands of expensive storefronts. The company's long-term focus isn't weighed down by short term margins, thus they can offer the same products at equal or lower prices than the competition while still providing the convenience of fast delivery.

Spotify

With Spotify, it’s easy to find the right music for every moment – on your phone, your computer, your tablet and more. There are millions of tracks on Spotify. So whether you’re working out, partying or relaxing, the right music is always at your fingertips. Choose what you want to listen to, or let Spotify surprise you, just search and play. You can check out the latest charts, brand new releases, or browse through the music collections of friends, artists and celebrities, or create a radio station and just sit back. Soundtrack your life with Spotify. Subscribe or listen for free.

Netflix

Netflix is the world’s leading Internet television network with over 81 million members in over 190 countries enjoying more than 125 million hours of TV shows and movies per day, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.

We are about the freedom of on-demand and the fun of binge viewing. We are about the flexibility of any screen at any time. We are about a personal experience that finds for each person the most pleasing titles from around the world. To deliver this experience to our members, we expect to spend over $800 million on technology & development in 2016.