My Dad Ran a Production Floor

 








 When I was a boy my dad ran a production floor. 250,000 square feet of big machinery making all kinds of loud noises and bending metal like it was paper. I loved it. When going to the floor with my dad the first step was to put on the safety glasses. For some reason, I always thought of James Worthy whenever I put those things on.

My dad kept me close to his side whenever we went in – I know now this was for my protection as well as the protection of his workers. There were painted lines that you did not cross unless you had business beyond them. The big machines were absolutely off limit. You could stand at a distance and feel the floor shake when they hit. I was in awe of the guys who worked those machines. They were on par with astronauts.

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The fantastic things the workers in that production plant could do to metal was inspiring. They would take a raw sheet of steel and make 1,000 shiny metal parts that were used to attach some part of a car to another. The hubcaps were my favorite. I would take the rejects home occasionally and use them for target practice or run around with them on my head like an early version of Devo.

Production formed as a meaning in my mind during those times at the plant. I began to understand what it is to produce something – to take a raw product and produce a useful tool or part out it that others would buy because it was important to them.

I believe now that production or the capacity to create something important to others is the foundation of our economy. It is vital and a building block of all other facets of our country’s business structure to make something useful to people. If we lose this capacity the other areas will fail and fall. Bankers can’t bank when no one buys. Service providers cannot service without these components. There is no sale without products to sell.

So here is to all those men and women involved in production. By the way, did I tell you that my dad has always been a hero to me? How could he not be? He ran a production floor.­ -- by Scott Toal.

How Much Cash Do You Have locked down in Inventory?

In these times when cash can be hard to come by for most businesses it is as important as ever to have an inventory program that gives you as much cash flexibility as possible. Still many companies continue to operate on the “got to buy volume to get best price” mentality. This purchasing path takes a company into Cell Block NEOC – Not Enough Operating Capital.



Why be prisoner to vendors that make you produce in volumes equal to your annual uses? Have you considered your cash is locked into parts sitting on shelves at your facility? What about the parts that you don’ t sell? You know a discounted sale is coming for those bad boys.

When you take into consideration all the expenses related to mass production or high volume buying the payoff really does not make any sense. I mean, if you can buy high volume and move the product that is great. But too many companies are buying too much product because of the imaginary pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Think about it – so you pay 25% more per part on a $5 part because you bought 500 pieces instead of 2,500 pieces. That is an extra $625 over the 500-piece lot. Now let’s say that you move 500 pieces in 3 months so it would take you 15 months to move the 2,500. If you purchase the 2,500 pieces then you will lock up $2500 for an extra 3 months, $2500 for an extra 6 months, $2500 for an extra 9 months and $2500 for an extra 12 months. Total cash lock down over the initial 3 months is $10,000. Total lock down over the 1-year period is $5,000. All for $625 per quarter?

How much is it worth to have cash available when you need it? Good night sleeps for 3 months is way more valuable than $625. So what is the solution? Buy in lower quantities. Buy from a trusted supplier that speaks your language and can be reached when you need them. Buy where you are making the greatest impact for your own company and your neighbors. Buy right Here – in the USA. It is the best place to buy!

If you want to get started on your freedom program contact Short Run Pro today and let us show you how short run production can make your business smoother and cash happy. Contact us at sales@shortrunpro.com or 877-829-9293.

Uncomfortable Support

At a recent customer meeting we were made aware of the fact that our product shelves were being supported by cheap foreign made metal brackets. This was especially discomforting to us since we are custom metal parts producer and an advocate of USA based manufacturing.

It seems that our office furnishings has escaped our detailed review and we ended up with wood shelves support by the box store shelf brackets that come over the seas by the millions. We did not install them but we sure as heck were going to "un" install them.

So we proceeded to give our company's product shelf area a complete over haul including removing the cheaply finished, white, thin gauge support brackets with our Forma Steel support brackets made of 1/4" thick stainless steel diamond plate metal. It was like removing Formica and putting in granite!

Our Forma Steel supports are made with a laser form process that makes for an extremely durable and heavy duty support. The diamond plate adds the touch of "Grrr" to the appearance of the bracket and finishes the whole product display area off nicely. Parts that used to be on the ground due to weight now are placed on the shelves and supported by substantial shelf brackets.

Note in the pictures the difference between the two styles and makes of the brackets. The thickness of the Forma Steel provide substantially greater strength for the bracket. The finish on the parts are polar opposites with the paint on the cheap brackets barely able to cover the sloppy weld and the formed nature of the Forma Steel support allowing for a smooth face and no distraction from the diamond plate finish.

Check out how the shelf in this image is bowing away from the wall. This is due to a heavy parts box being inadvertently placed on the shelf and the shelf deflecting on the brackets. The replacement of the cheap brackets with our Forma Steel supports we were able to stand on the shelf without deflection. There is no substitute for outstanding design and craftsmanship.

Bottom line, when you see a cheap bracket used to do a job that it can't do and in a place where it does not belong - get rid of it. Replace it with something that belongs and that can do the job. Also, remember that when you purchase products that are made in the USA you are supporting some one's job. It is not simply a part. That part reflects the manufacturing base within the United States. When we can support that base we should.

For more information or to find the right bracket for the job visit Short Run Pro ( http://www.shortrunpro.com/). The pictures taken for this entry were from my iPhone. Please have mercy.