Out Front: Total Manufacturing Solutions the Key Focus for Competitive Production

I am proud to introduce to our customers and prospective customers a new publication, Competitive Production. This publication is dedicated to the production parts marketplace, and to helping the supplier base learn about new and enhanced techniques to reduce costs, improve quality and enhance competitiveness.

This market has transitioned over the last couple of years from an OEM-dominated arena to one that is now dominated by smaller tier-one and tier-two production and job shops. Competitive Production will highlight in each issue case studies on parts production operations, and how these companies and people are better serving the needs of the marketplace through the application of new technology and innovation.

Market Transition [back to top]
We at Makino believe that we manufacture the best machine tools in the world. But, more importantly, we know that competitive pressures are driving a higher customer requirement. That need is a better understanding and application of our machine tools and the ability to improve production processes, and to integrate our machinery and the machinery of other suppliers into productive, lean manufacturing operations.

That is what we feel is the Makino difference; a focus on total manufacturing solutions, with the reduction of cost per part being the paramount objective.

The supply base of production parts has been and is continuing to move from OEM manufacturers to the tier-level operations. We believe this enhanced supply chain paradigm shift is good for the OEM manufacturer, as it provides them more cost competitive parts without making huge capital investments. We also believe it is good for the tier-level suppliers, which are able to expand their workload and become more valuable partners to the OEMs.

We also know that these tier-level customers are, in many instances, more familiar with CNC and are more agile risk-takers on state-of-the-art CNC machinery technology and processes. It has become our job to serve them in a more proactive fashion.

Coming Attractions [back to top]
In this issue of Competitive Production, you will learn how both large and small parts production operations can gain from automation and integration techniques. And, you will learn more about why parallel sequential processes with this technologically advanced machinery are the answer to foreign price competition through more agile production.

The integration of production machines with automation, or special purpose machines, or even assembly stations, is an ever-growing trend regardless of the size of the operation.

This type of integration and automation doesn’t eliminate jobs; it eliminates overhead and the cost of getting jobs done. It also provides for a better allocation of all machine and personnel resources. This philosophy has been a proven asset in the aerospace and the automotive industries, and the transition into the parts production market is growing by leaps and bounds.

The time is right for total manufacturing solutions for tier-level suppliers and small manufacturers. Whether you are serving the OEM automotive marketplace, a specialty production marketplace, or a general machining operation, we will try to provide the technological insight you need.

That is what fuels Competitive Production and our focus on serving as a partner and a technology leader for you!

Contact Bob Henry at:
Phone: 513-573-7425
FAX: 513-573-7456
e-mail: Robert.Henry@Makino.com.