Wolverine Machine: Quality Magazine's Top 100 for the 2nd Consecutive Year Holly, MI, May 21, 2010 -- Wolverine Machine has landed on the Quality Magazine: Quality Leadership Top 100 list for the second consecutive year. Over 800 manufacturers participate in this list.
Manufacturers are surveyed on criteria such as scrap and rework as a percentage of sales, warranty costs as a percentage of sales, rejected parts per million shipped and contribution of quality to profitability and shareholder value.
Other factors that determine the results are based on the number of quality programs in place; registration to various standards; percentage of employees dedicated to quality procedures; average number of hours that employees receive quality training on a monthly basis; and the role quality professionals play in the acquisition of test, measurement and inspection tools, software and services.
Target costing has been used in Japan since the early 60s, but didn’t start gaining momentum in the US until the 90s. Around 90% of Japanese firms use this cost-saving strategy while only 50% of US firms are taking advantage of its benefits. Given that external purchases average approximately 60% of cost of sales for most manufacturers, it would seem that target costing should be given a great deal of attention by management. Target costing is the process of determining a target price for your suppliers in order to receive the most competitive quotes. Giving suppliers a target price ensures understanding of the processes used and saves valuable time and money for both parties. In using target costing, supplier relationships are greatly improved by providing an avenue for earlier supplier involvement, clarifying true cost goals, and supporting supplier alliances. By involving suppliers earlier in the process, all possible ideas for cost reduction can be considered, rather than later in the process when extensive resources have already been invested. This early involvement of suppliers is critical, given the rule of thumb that approximately 70% of the product’s cost is determined by decisions made during the design process. When using target costing, the entire supply chain is seen as an integrated whole. Each element refines its operations to reduce its own costs, and therefore, reduces the total overall cost of the final product. In addition, target costing assists in internal improvements by creating a benchmark for cost performance, supporting team involvement, and creating greater cost accountability internally and with suppliers. At Wolverine Machine, we strongly encourage our customers to provide target prices in order for us to be as beneficial as possible. By doing so, we are able to provide the most competitive quote while also assisting in cost-reduction strategies. Please visit our website to learn more about our customer-focused strategies.
A good salesperson can sell to anyone once, but it will be your approach to customer service that will keep them coming back. Improving customer service and working on customer engagement are business’ best defense against the increased competition that a recession causes. Our newsletter, The Cutting Edge is focused on customer service this month. Here is a sneak peek at the 7 tips for excellent customer service. 1. Most importantly, the quality of customer service cannot exceed the quality of those who provide it. Your machines or processes don’t give good customer service, your employees do. Hiring and retaining quality employees is the most essential key to making your customers happy. Realize that the way your people are treated dictates the way your customers will be treated. 2. Know your customers. Get to know their expectations so that you can assist them in meeting their needs. Understand what is important to them and continually ask if what you are doing is what your customer would appreciate. 3. Anticipate problems before they happen. In case something goes wrong, have a plan of action ready. Let your customers know what you plan to do if unforeseen circumstances arise so that they know they’re your top priority. 4. Be flexible. Show your customers that you are willing to put forth the extra effort to ensure they are satisfied. Go the extra mile whenever possible and you will certainly reap the benefits. Recently, one of our customers was given a strict deadline to finish a project that seemed impossible. Our newsletter explains how we were able to help. 5. Make sure that your customers know who you are. It is your job to educate your customers on how you can help them and what services or products are offered. Convey your strengths and how they set you apart from the competition. 6. Don’t let them get away. Communication is key to maintaining a lasting relationship so let your customers know that you haven’t forgotten about them. Show them how valuable they are by keeping in touch. 7. Make your customers a part of your service improvement. Actively seek feedback so that you can better understand what improvements your customers would like to see. Click here for a link to Wolverine Machine's customer satisfaction survey. The Cutting Edge is available on our website if you would like to learn more about customer service. This month's issue features expert advice on how to choose the right supplier, implementing a customer service philosophy, and a quiz to find out if you're a customer service master!
After the overwhelming response from the release of our water jet brochure, we have decided to create another brochure focused solely on the Miyano LZ-01R automated chucking lathe. Featuring self loading/unloading capabilities, which eliminates hand loading, the LZ-01R can process parts quickly. In addition, since the parts are robotically loaded, the accuracy and repeatability of the machine is far superior to any hand loaded lathe. Here at Wolverine Machine we use only the best machining technologies and equipment, including the Miyano LZ-01R, to provide you parts that are accurately and efficiently produced to save your organization time and money. To learn more about what the LZ-01R can do for you, please click the link below. Miyano LZ-01R Capabilities
Wolverine Machine houses two of the largest water jet cutting tables in the Midwest, capable of handling complex and intricate parts with tolerances of +/- .003” for virtually any material. These machines have allowed us to greatly expand our capabilities and services offered. The breadth and thickness of materials that can be cut using the water jet cutting process give it a distinct advantage over processes such as laser cutting and traditional machining. Companies from all industries are turning to water jet cutting for fine detail, clean edges, and less waste. When using water jet cutting, there is no distortion, fraying, cracking, splintering, or slag, and since no heat is involved, the material will not have any “heat affected zones” that can become very problematic. We also use part nesting before the cutting process which optimizes material, reduces scrap, and saves you money. On top of that, Wolverine Machine recycles 100% of the water and 100% of the abrasive used, which brings waste to virtually nonexistent. The applications for water jet cutting are innumerable, as well as the materials that can be used. Therefore, we have created a brochure solely focused on the benefits and abilities of our water jet cutting machines. It is loaded with information on how the process works and how it can save you a lot of time and money. If you would like to learn more about our water jet cutting machines, click on the link below to view our brand new brochure. Water Jet Cutting Capabilities
Wolverine Machine Products has launched a new e-newsletter, The Cutting Edge! The publication addresses issues such as safety, quality, employee relations, and many other factors needed for organizational success. Subscribers will also get current industry news, new product announcements, company-specific updates, and expert advice on best practices. The first issue, which released on March 4th, covers a variety of topics with emphasis on quality in manufacturing. There is information regarding cost versus price when outsourcing, 14 points for total quality management, and a section highlighting Wolverine Machine’s addition of a new Zeiss CMM. There is also an exercise for subscribers to get started on “thinking outside the box” when it comes to quality management. The Cutting Edge will be delivered free of charge to those who sign up from Wolverine Machine’s website. To view the debut issue, click here.
It has long been Wolverine Machine’s strategy to focus on high-quality, value-added processes in order to remain successful. For more than 7 years, Wolverine Machine has used Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMS) in addition to many other quality assurance measures. CMMs are highly accurate machines that inspect parts with tolerances of 9 microns (which is roughly 1/10th the diameter of the average human hair) and smaller. Wolverine Machine is proud to announce the addition of a new CMM, the Zeiss Contura G2 RDS, into its 32,000 square foot facility located in Holly, MI. This new Zeiss CMM will add to the company’s multitude of current quality assurance machines, expanding precision measurement capabilities and quality control/reliability. “The new high-tech features of the Contura G2 bring us the ability to capture substantial quantities of accurate measurement data in a shorter time while increasing our production, reliability, and quality,” says Steve Pyrc, Quality Manager at Wolverine Machine. The completely redesigned bridge-type CMM features a next generation scanning platform, perfectly suited to the measurement of complex features and parts. Contura G2 RDS is capable of reaching 20,376 positions in 2.5 degree increments using styli as small as .3mm in diameter. Wolverine Machine purchased many additional fixtures and accessories for the CMM including the ViScan optical probe, which now makes it possible to perform touch and optical measurements on one machine. The ViScan optical probe is an ideal tool for non-contact measurement and analysis of more difficult to check small parts and soft work pieces. “This is the most successful and sought after machine Carl Zeiss IMT has ever developed,” says Josef Schernthaner, Vice President of Operations at Zeiss. This new machine will certainly add to the satisfaction that Wolverine Machine’s customers have come to know and count on. If you would like more information on Wolverine Machine's quality assurance technology or to see how we can help with your next project, please visit us at www.wolverinemachine.com.
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