Michigan Business Review

Nelson Steel Products

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:03:48 -0400

Nelson Steel Products is one of the leading steel fabrication companies in America. Their experience and mastery of state-of-the-art technology is a big factor to their success. A steel fabricator…

TDG Telemark

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:37:25 -0400

TDG Telemark:

Telemark Diversified Graphics (TDG) specializes in custom-printed ATM receipts, teller rolls, POS rolls, kiosk rolls, mobile printer rolls, parking ticket rolls and custom notepads. Founded in 1970,…

Protomatic Featured in MMTC

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:34:28 -0400

In the Fall of 2009 edition of Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC) ran a feature article on Protomatic. MMTC provides Michigan’s small and medium sized manufacturers with operational assessment, process improvement training, mentoring services, website technical assistance and market diversification tactics.

Here is the article that was featured:

Protomatic, Inc., a leading manufacturer of prototype and short-run production machining, was founded by William Wetzel in February 1971. The company relocated to a modern and climate controlled 30,500 square foot facility in Dexter, Michigan 10 years ago. Protomatic provides contract manufacturing for all industries utilizing specialized machining such as CNC Multi-Axis Vertical Machining Centers, C-Axis CNC Lathes for precision turning plus welding and plasma cutting. Customers take advantage of CAD / CAM electronic interaction and CMM data collection for high quality ¬ fixture, tool and die fabrication.

Protomatic employs 24 people who have in-depth technical knowledge and experience working with billet plastic, rubber, aluminum, steels, super alloys, titanium & refractory metals and castings. Protomatic offers in-house design services, prototype manufacturing, production and assembly of custom parts and systems for a variety of industries including aerospace, defense, automotive, electronic, alternative energy, medical and optical OEMs. For Protomatic Inc., the downturn began in 2000. The contract machining company had focused on supplying parts for the automotive industry and auto companies were looking to cut back on the kind of prototype component work Protomatic did, recalls Doug Wetzel, VP and General Manager.

“We saw the writing on the wall and transitioned,” Wetzel said. “We are one of the lucky ones.” Transition for Protomatic meant a shift from making products like alternators or instrument panels, to making chambers to grow nerve cells for the medical industry or safety critical flight components for F-16 and F-18 military jet planes. It was a move that ultimately, Wetzel said, “saved the company in light of the worldwide downturn in the auto industry.”

In spring 2007, Karen Lee, Business Development Manager from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) referred Protomatic to the MMTC for consulting and training. MMTC staff met with members of the Protomatic management team to discuss strategic opportunities. Protomatic was seeking information about AS 9100 and ISO.

“We have confirmed a 5.2% increase in machine utilization between May of 2008 and March of 2009…Total business impacts are over $1 million and include creating and retaining 14 jobs over the last 15 months.” Doug Wetzel, VP and General Manager, Protomatic, Inc.
Protomatic, Inc. 13485 compliance, the quality management system (QMS) standards for Aerospace and Medical Devices – two industries they were currently serving. MMTC assisted Protomatic by securing Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) funding to help supplement the cost for training workers to secure compliance to these standards. Going beyond the initial QMS training, MMTC and Protomatic collaborated on several other improvement projects including: LEAN Business Solutions, Activity-Based Costing model creation, Scrap Cost Reduction and Prevention (SCRAP) program, and Market Diversification. Additional funding grants were secured to assist Protomatic in offsetting the initial costs.

Protomatic ultimately was able to reduce its automotive business from 85% to 15%, while ¬ filling capacity with new products in new markets. With MMTC’s help in becoming compliant to the relevant industry standards, utilizing LEAN initiatives and market diversifi¬cation assistance, they were able to increase and sustain their initial outreach into those sectors. The resulting product mix resulted in a 40% increase in sales from 2005 to 2009 or an average growth of 10% a year.
Protomatic is very pleased with the results. As with any improvement project, it is often difficult to see immediate benefits. “All the employees needed to be trained so we shared a common vision and goal for the improvements,” Doug Wetzel stated, “MMTC created a positive learning environment that was very e¬ffective – MMTC moved from theory to practice with hands-on teaching to help simulate our own improvements on the shop floor.” Doug went on to say, “A LEAN program must start at the top and be supported from the employee foundation to be successful. Employees support an idea only if they can directly see the benefit. LEAN- is a little di¬fferent way of thinking, in that employees are empowered. The first step was to educate management in the expectation and overview of the process.”

Upon completion of the LEAN training, Protomatic employees assembled a kaizen team and conducted a continuous improvement event to improve manufacturing processes and optimize their work environment. Employees implemented 5S – an organization wide focus on establishing a standardized approach to providing “a place for everything and making sure everything is in its place.” Each workstation was included and the before and after photos reveal the pride employees have at each workstation. “Even this relatively simple concept of 5S led to great improvements.” Doug said, “We have confirmed a 5.2% increase in machine utilization between May of 2008 and March of 2009”. This is just one of many quanti¬fied improvements that Protomatic has realized since initiating their ¬ first improvement project with MMTC. Total business impacts are over $1 million and include creating and retaining 14 jobs over the last 15 months.
Protomatic’s work with the MMTC Market Diversi¬fication team is also clearly yielding dividends. The Protomatic sales team learned new methods to reach potential new customers in emerging markets. The company is working with battery and fuel-cell groups and looking to work with other high-tech startups.

“During down economic times, there are a lot of people unemployed, and they start thinking. That’s when the truly creative and business-changing ideas occur,” stated Wetzel. Wetzel thinks businesses with stories like theirs should create hope in our region, despite the difficult conditions.

Site Furnishings

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:24:43 -0400

Site Furnishings:

This book helps to connect how furniture matters, both indoors and outdoors. It explains how site furniture can enhance a site and add value to outdoor space. Site Furnishings examines how design can…

Landscape Forms

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:46:14 -0400

Landscape Forms:

Landscape Forms is North America’s leading designer and manufacturer of site furniture since 1969. They design the finest quality site furniture are known for producing innovative designs, high…

Fema Corporation

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:37:39 -0400

Fema Corporation:

FEMA Corporation is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company located near Kalamazoo Michigan that offers a full line of electro-hydraulic proportional and On/Off products. FEMA’s engineers are able to…

enwis) | Separating Waste Flow from Cash Flow

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 17:37:39 -0400

enwis) | Separating Waste Flow from Cash Flow:

enwis) was created help organize and streamline nearly every aspect of the waste and recycling industry. Over a decade of work from experts in the business has gone into creating this complete…

Protomatic

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:53:50 -0400

Protomatic:

Protomatic is a high quality and precision prototype and short-run production machining operation. Their highly qualified and experienced team of employees delivers high quality parts at reasonable…

Michigan SEO Services

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:52:25 -0400

Michigan SEO Services:

Do you own a business or have a website and are based in Michigan? Is your Michigan based business feeling the financial troubles that are afflicting so many businesses in the Great Lake State? One…

NETA - InterNational Electrical Testing Association

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:35:36 -0400

The InterNational Electrical Testing Association (NETA) is an organization that serves the electrical testing industry by providing accreditation of third-party electrical testing firms, certifying electrical testing technicians, producing of American National Standards, hosting PowerTest - Electrical Maintenance and Safety Conference, and publishing NETA World technical journal. NETA’s programs are the result of thousands of hours of hard work by volunteers donated by industry experts. Many of these volunteers either operate or are employed by NETA Accredited Companies.

Duo Gard

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:02:25 -0400

Duo Gard:

Duo-Gard is the leading trailblazer and innovator in high-performance translucent daylighting systems and strategies, illuminated walls and ceilings, along with custom canopies, shelters and outdoor…

Gaylee Saws

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:45:46 -0400

Gaylee Saws:

Gaylee Saws is the premier manufacturer of solid carbide and carbide-tipped circular thin saws in the cutting tool industry. The Gaylee thin saw is specifically designed for high precision cutting….

Created public version #2 of the knol: "The Macomb Group"

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 13:00:51 -0400

Created public version #2 of the knol: "The Macomb Group":

Jeff Wendland published version 2 of a knol titled: “The Macomb Group”

One2Flush | The Water Saving Toilet

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:08:08 -0400

One2Flush | The Water Saving Toilet:

Conservation is in and we are all trying to do what we can to help to save resources and the environment. The One2Flush water saving toilet is a simple, inexpensive conversion kit that we can all use…

Bearing Service

Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:08:08 -0400

Bearing Service:

Bearing Service was established in 1943 by Herbert Mann as he recognized the declining role of ball bearing re-manufacturers. Today, the company is a third-generation independently owned multi-branch…

Created public version #2 of the knol: "Burr Oak Tool"

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:58:28 -0400

Created public version #2 of the knol: "Burr Oak Tool":

Jeff Wendland published version 2 of a knol titled: “Burr Oak Tool”

Created public version #2 of the knol: "Oak Press Solutions, Inc."

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:58:28 -0400

Created public version #2 of the knol: "Oak Press Solutions, Inc.":

Jeff Wendland published version 2 of a knol titled: “Oak Press Solutions, Inc.”

Oak Press

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 11:17:43 -0400

Oak Press:

Oak Press Solutions is highly regarded for their high quality, reliable, precision stamping presses. Their unique and innovative press designs offer an innovative approach to high speed, short…

North American Tool

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:56:34 -0400

North American Tool:

North American Tool is an industry leader in the manufacturing of premium quality cutting tool products. The company is an ISO 9001:2000 registered manufacturer that provides unparalleled quality…

Burr Oak Tool

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:11:55 -0400

Burr Oak Tool:

Burr Oak Tool Inc. is the world leader in providing the machinery that is used in the manufacturing of heat exchangers which are used in the heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning industries….