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Meet the Media: Brad Kuvin, Publisher / Editorial Director at MetalForming & 3D Metal Printing

Brad Kuvin is the publisher/editorial director of MetalForming magazine and 3D Metal Printing magazine, at the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) in Independence (Cleveland), OH. He oversees all content strategy for the publications, including digital products and conferences (the publications produce six live events per year, including two in Mexico), serving readers in several industries – primarily automotive, as well as appliance, electronic, aircraft, truck and trailer, hardware and others.

Can you tell us what types of stories, trends or issues are on your radar now?
For MetalForming, plant automation is top of mind, as are strategies to optimize overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), including quick changeover processes and equipment, and Industry 4.0/Internet of Things (IoT). In fact, we hosted earlier this year our second annual IoT for Manufacturers Conference, in Cleveland.

On the 3D Metal Printing front, we’re focused on keeping a close eye on rapidly developing technology in several areas, including design and simulation software, quality control and process monitoring, metal powders, and metal-additive machines.

Describe the craziest or most fun story you have written.
Back in 1992, when working as editor in chief of Welding Design & Fabrication (WD&F) magazine (a Penton Media publication), I was invited to the Nevada Test Site to research and prepare an article on the welding processes and equipment used to construct the apparatus and structures developed for the tests. It was just a handful of months before the final U.S. nuclear test, and I remember the excitement of standing on what would be ground zero. The underground apparatus used for the tests was very complex and required a great deal of heavy steel pipe welding, as well as plasma cutting and nondestructive weld testing. Another great opportunity with WD&F came when I visited the Marshall Space Flight Center to report on the welding used to construct the Space Shuttle external fuel tank.
With MetalForming, I’ve been invited to tour and report on a handful of automotive OEM stamping facilities, and it’s always fascinating to see how these huge press lines produce large and complex sheetmetal panels with incredibly tight tolerances and perfect surface finishes.

What story or stories are you most proud of?
Any story where I have the privilege of interviewing thought leaders in our industry – company owners, presidents, CEOs, etc. – is very rewarding. For example, each year I have the opportunity to visit with and interview the incoming chair of PMA, typically a high level executive or owner of a member company. I’m proud to have the opportunity to tell their inspirational stories to our readers, of how they’ve led their companies to success.

What elements or characteristics do you look for in a story?
I’ve spent my career focused on the idea that our stories should help our readers perform their jobs better. That’s about as basic and simplistic as it gets, but I find that if I follow that guiding principle, everything else falls into place.

How long have you been in journalism and how did you get started?
I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree in 1983, and went to work almost immediately as an editor with WD&F. At the time, all (or nearly all) of the editors on Penton’s manufacturing magazines were degreed engineers. I found the transition to interviewing engineers and managers and reporting on how manufacturing companies leverage new technology very interesting and rewarding, and continue to do so.

Finish this sentence: If I am not reporting, I am …
Planning a technical conference – developing the agenda, lining up speakers, promoting to potential sponsors, etc.

What advice do you have for PR people that want to pitch you?
Focus on the needs of our audience, not only on those of your clients.

Any pet peeves with PR people?
Please take the time to understand each publication’s audience, and its editorial mission. I’m happy to spend time on the phone discussing both, so that together we can develop stories that mutually serve the needs of our audience and of the client.

Tell us a little about yourself (family, interests, hobbies, background, etc.)
I am married to my high school sweetheart, and we have two grown sons, one living and working in Chicago and the other just starting medical school. We grew up in Cleveland and truly love so many things about the city – theater, music, restaurants, and of course sports. I coached my sons in soccer and baseball for several years, but now as an empty nester I’ve taken up golf, and my wife and I enjoy kayaking.

You can follow MetalForming and 3D Metal Printing on Twitter at: @MetalForming and @3DMetalPrintMag