Product category:
General Machining Subcontracting Services
News Release from: Target Precision | Subject: Target Precision
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 09 October 2003
Downturn? Time to invest says
subcontractor
At a time when competitors are 'battening down the hatches' in the face of unpredictable orders, a subcontract machinist is continuing its ongoing aggressive capital equipment investment programme.
Following its move from Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, to a new 14,600ft2 factory in Harlow, Essex, coupled with additional new plant and the strategic expansion of its range of added-value services, Target Precision is one of the country's most progressive turned parts subcontractors At a time when many other companies ? and competitors ? are battening down the hatches in the face of unpredictable order pipelines, shorter batches and extended payment terms, Target is bucking the trend by investing not only in its short-term capacity and capabilities, but at the same time also laying the foundations for future successes
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 11 Jun 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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Managing director Garry Plummer explains that the company ? a specialist in the production of precision mill/turn parts up to 32mm diameter ? has adopted an aggressive capital equipment investment programme ever since its establishment in 1997.
"With 17 CNC turning machines in place (including 10 Citizen sliding head automatics from NC Engineering of Watford), we've continually expanded our machining capacity to meet customers' expectations, batch requirements and their quality demands," he says: "Importantly, our machining portfolio has also been extended to provide us with the flexibility to satisfy customers' increasing requirements for kanban supply as well as the just-in-time delivery of variable batches on regular call-offs." One of Target Precision's main strengths is its ability to quickly react to urgent orders.
This it does by combining the skills of a flexible workforce with the capacity benefits of lights-out and weekend running, if necessary (since all the Citizens feature bar-feed systems).
Further reading
Sliding head auto work is on the increase
Specialist sub-contract manufacturer of precision turned parts has recruited another experienced CNC turning setter/operator to satisfy increased demand for sliding head work.
Target Precision Hits Bullseye At Southern Show
Product presentations made at Southern Manufacturing by Target Precision, the Harlow based specialist sub-contract manufacturer of precision turned parts, hit the bullseye among show visitors.
Target Precision Adds Another Citizen for Capacity
Target Precision, specialist sub-contract manufacturer of precision turned parts, has expanded its CNC machining capacity with the purchase of a Citizen B12 Type VI sliding headstock auto lathe.
Plummer feels he has an edge over other suppliers ? including those from overseas who have traditionally ?moved in' on a lot of work formerly machined by UK suppliers.
"We can 'ramp up' productivity as and when required and, with the consistent machining quality these machines guarantee, in many cases it also means we supply direct to line, to suit our customers' production schedules.
"Being a successful sub-contractor is as much about being able to supply exactly what the customer wants when he wants it, as it is about providing parts at the right cost and of the correct quality.
"Sub-contracting is all about customer service," he continues, "and Target's policy has always been to ensure we have the right people and the right machines in place to provide the appropriate level of service.
"Target Precision has always prided itself on its ability to do just that, hence our recent expansion of the range of value-added services - such as sub-assembly and assembly ? that we are now offering customers in addition to our existing heat treatment, plating and zone annealing services." But if companies around you ? sub-contractors as well as OEMs ? are seemingly ?feeling the pinch', what gives Plummer and his technical director, Chris Thorburn, the confidence to continually invest and expand? "We're in this industry for the long term," stresses Plummer.
"While that may mean certain sectors, and therefore particular customers, might have reduced their volumes in the short-term, we've built this business by establishing relationships with our customers.
It's an ethos that permeates throughout the company, and it starts from when the ?phone is answered and cascades through every department including the shopfloor.
"In the same way that we care about what's happening to our customers' businesses ? they are not just numbers ? I'd like to think that the companies we do business with also take an interest in what we are doing, aside from simply supplying boxes of finished components.
"That was one of the main reasons for moving to this site in Harlow ? it's much cleaner and smarter - and our move into the provision of additional services has, likewise, been made with the customer in mind.
This new site has lots of additional floorspace that can be split up and developed as dedicated ?manufacturing zones' to meet particular requirements.
"Buyers nowadays are forever looking to reduce their supply chains, to minimise the paperwork and the headaches that often characterise the need to put every new job out to tender.
Once they've located a suitable supplier ? one that can provide appropriate components at the right price and reliably delivered to schedule - they are increasingly looking for ways to source as many services as they can from that company.
That makes life so much easier for them and it benefits us, of course.
Partnership is often a very overworked phrase but, in our case, it describes perfectly our positioning in the supply chain." Target Precision's adeptness at establishing such working partnerships has so far seen the company continually expand and gain an unrivalled position in the supply of components to sectors such as white goods and jewellery as well as being particularly successful in supplying parts to the connector industry.
It's new-found ability of added-value services and its capability for flexible working will only enhance that reputation.
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