The modern economy, whether it’s at the global, domestic or local level, is fast and dynamic. And to be successful these days, companies must be able to quickly adapt to market changes as well as continuously push the envelope in developing new products and services that advance beyond the competition.
When you look at our more than 40 years of operation in Kentucky and how we’ve evolved our business over time, you could say we’ve always been a catalyst of change within our industry. We refer to it as a “Rock Solid” commitment to manufacturing, which has allowed our company and customers to thrive in all economic climates.
Established and carried through by a forward-thinking team, our Rock Solid commitment includes a series of core values that we believe set the foundation for success in an ever-evolving marketplace. While these values are unyielding in principle, we adapt them over time to fit the modern landscape.
Among these values are high-quality manufacturing practices, continuous innovation and comprehensive customer support. Together, these values help us sustain our success as well as give our customers the tools they need to stay competitive.
High-Quality Manufacturing
Since opening the doors to our manufacturing plant in 1974, we’ve continuously invested in and expanded our operations to support the growing and diverse technology demands of our customers. In doing so, we’re able to maintain the production agility and responsive they require for continued success.
For years, our Production-On-Demand manufacturing approach has given us the wherewithal to achieve short lead times and minimize inventory levels so that every new machine tool leaving our plant has the latest technology.
This approach involves using MTConnect to enable our machines and production equipment to communicate over wireless factory networks for real-time monitoring and diagnostics. Most recently, we’ve taken this data-driven manufacturing approach to the next level.
In 2014, we invested $30 million in our manufacturing operations, with $19 million spent on capital equipment, to implement the iSMART Factory™ concept. This dynamic, ongoing and limitless production strategy reflects a commitment toward creating the ultimate smart factory.
In its current state, our factory encompasses 536,000 square feet of space and relies on advanced manufacturing cells and systems together with full digital integration to achieve free-flow data sharing in terms of process control and monitoring. We then harvest this data to where it becomes actionable intelligence for us to improve our productivity and responsiveness to customer and market changes.
Continuous Innovation
We’re constantly redefining what it means to be productive in the competitive manufacturing marketplace through ongoing innovation, which includes our latest SMOOTH TECHNOLOGY platform, revolutionary CNC designs and HYBRID Multi-Tasking.
SMOOTH TECHNOLOGY has and will continue to revolutionize the way our machine tools perform. The platform takes an already advanced machine to the next level of productivity by integrating all-new hardware, high-speed servo systems and CNC technology into its original design. As a result, processing times on these machines are up to four times faster than their predecessors.
Our new MAZATROL Smooth CNCs, which are key to the SMOOTH TECHNOLOGY platform, have an intuitive human/machine interface with a multi-touch home screen that enables fast and smooth programming operations. Also, several new programming functions within these controls provide all-new productivity advantages.
We’ve also established an alternative way to produce parts with our new INTEGREX i-400AM HYBRID Multi-Tasking machine. It offers turning, milling, drilling, metal deposition and laser marking in a single setup. Not only does this significantly reduce part cycle times, it gives users the ability to process highly complex workpiece geometries that were previously impossible.
Another strategy we’ve adopted over the past few years is developing simple but innovative machine features and functions that take our world-class technology to the highest levels of affordability. As represented through our UNIVERSAL Series, these models redefine the quality and productivity standards of value-based machine tools.
Comprehensive Support
From 24/7 technical phone support to fast spare part services to progressive learning opportunities, our Optimum Plus total support program helps ensure our customers get the maximum return on their machine investment.
We offer the industry’s largest inventory of spare parts, with more than 52,000 unique part numbers valued at more than $65 million. Plus, 97 percent of our spare part orders ship within 24 hours. Overall, these stats mean our customers receive the fastest possible response times to a down machine.
Our network of eight Technology Centers across North America also plays a key role in our Optimum Plus program. Each facility puts customers in close proximity to everything they need for optimized part production, from applications support to comprehensive training to testing new technology.
We also use our Technology Centers to host Technology + Education events that keep customers up-to-date on the latest machine tool technologies and manufacturing techniques, including our biennial DISCOVER event that welcomes thousands of attendees to our North American Headquarters during IMTS off years.
In a nutshell, Rock Solid means we are an agile company that can easily refine our business strategy to meet current customer requirements. Essentially any shop can be Rock Solid and it starts by knowing your strengths, understanding your customers' needs and having the flexibility to refine your business strategy.