Pages from SpringExpress_EN_TRUMPF
- 1. “Wedon’treallyusetitles,”explainsJamesWestofWebcoManufacturing Inc. in Olathe, KS. “We are an employee-owned company and we conduct ourselves as we share the title of Owner.” This sense of ownership resonates throughout Webco now more than ever. The company, a provider of precision metal fabrication, transitioned from a private business to an employee-owned operation in 2005. With the opening of its new facility last April, Webco presented a first-class work environment for its employees and enhanced its capabilities as a supplier. Making moves James West was responsible for planning Webco’s new, state-of-the-art manufacturing space. West consulted Dr. Irani of Ohio State University to create a data-driven layout of the facility. One of Dr. Irani’s students, Aditya Ganesh, was brought on board as a summer intern to help plan this layout. During the planning stage, West visited several manufacturing facilities to determine how to best arrange Webco’s new space. At one site, an operator raved about a material storage system purchased from TRUMPF and the dramatic increase in productivity it caused. West explained, “The savings in time and money was impressive, and it came from the operator, not a salesman. It was exactly what I wanted to hear.” With this tip, West consulted TRUMPF to determine the best solution for his needs. In the end, Webco purchased LiftMasters to support the TruLaser 6050 and the TruLaser 3040 laser cutting machines, and a STOPA storagesystem.Westcoordinateddeliverytocoincidewiththetransition into the new facility. He explained, “We focused the move around the TRUMPF equipment,” which included three press brakes, three laser cutting machines and a TruPunch 2020. “By moving one TruLaser at a time, and coordinating the press brakes and other equipment around them, we were able to maintain production throughout the process.” West recognizes Webco’s president, Gary Rettman, as an important part of this success. “Gary has been with the company since its inception. He has experienced three moves with Webco and provided tremendous mentoring throughout the process.” Building on the fundamentals Quality service, state-of-the-art manufacturing, and a sincere approach to the customer and each other – this is the Webco Way. “The savings in time and money was impressive.” PROFILE 14 Express Vol.1/14
- 2. Settling in Oncethemovewascomplete,Westoptimizedmaterialflow. “In the past, material was moved by forklift and handled several times. Now, it is placed directly into the storage system.” Since a fork truck is no longer required, the steel remains scratch-free. “We have seen an immense savings in time and a dramatic reduction in hassle.” He continues, “The new system facilitates greater efficiency within our manufacturing operation, especially relative to just-in-time purchasing.” The company also has immediate access to the material inventory using the TruTops Fab software. Webco was also the first company in North America to use the Quickjob Module. The module serves as the connection between Webco‘s ERP system and the machine to track parts and jobs throughout the manufacturing process. In addition to improving material flow, Webco uses its software in a more traditional sense. For example, West has redesigned a part for a waste management company to eliminate welding and a bumper for an automotive customer to eliminate breaks in the 0.5 inch steel part. “The TruTops software enabled me to redesign the bumper as a single part.” He continues, “The resulting design was stronger, less expensive to produce and most importantly, made the customer very happy.” The company focuses on providing customers with the best quality results and uses TRUMPF technology to support this effort. Combining the software and machine capabilities has enabled Webco to make parts other companies cannot. West says, “We produce certain parts in tread plate or thin steel with the TruPunch 2020 and the performance cannot be duplicated – not even with a laser machine.” He continues, “The TruPunch performs so fast, it is worth its weight in gold.” As a result, Webco has diversified its customer base and continues to adjust to the PROFILE James West was responsible for planning Webco’s new manufacturing facility. 15Express Vol.1/14
- 3. ever-changing needs of its customers. West asserts, “When parts are difficult to manufacture or the time table is very tight, we are able to say ‘yes’. We take pride in conquering these challenges and in getting the parts done right.” Compounding change The building symbolizes a new way for Webco, from enhancements to the manufacturing facility, to a true focus on company fundamentals. “The difference in the company is evident,” West explains. “We take happiness, safety and work conditions very seriously.” The new facility, for example, features better lighting and a sophisticated dust collection system above the welding shop to provide a better work environment for the people, and ultimately, the machines. Webcoexecutivesalsoreleasedthirty-one“fundamentals” to define the values, principles and practices the company looks to promote. Every Sunday, an executive writes a personal message explaining what the fundamental of the week means to them. The message appears online and is distributed throughout the company. During the week, meetings start with a quick discussion of the fundamental so each employee can share thoughts on how it applies to work and life. West states, “We made Webco a place where people want to come to work, but it goes beyond that. If we can live by the fundamentals we are better people, too. That’s the Webco Way.” In this, West leads by example. Introduced to the companyasastudentthroughtheSocietyofManufacturing Engineers (SME), he now serves on the board of his local chapter. West asserts, “Each day I have the opportunity to create parts for the world around me and I feel proud when I see them heading down the road.” He continues, “This is a great family to work for, and I say ‘family’ because that is what we are. We have a great environment and we take care of our employees. I am thankful to be here and hope to provide the same for others.” For West, this is simply part of living the Webco Way. Webco Manufacturing Inc. Who: Webco Manufacturing Inc., Olathe, KS., established 1980. www.webcomfg.com What: An employee-owned company providing a wide range of manufacturing services and industrial fabrication. How: TruLaser 6050,TruLaser 3040,TruLaser 3030, TruPunch 2020,TruBend 5230,TruBend 5085,TruBend 5320, LiftMaster, LiftMaster Sort, STOPA PROFILE “The difference in the company is evident.” Kyle Kinder (L) leads Webco’s fabrication department and works with James West (R) to best utilize the TruTops Fab software. 16 Express Vol.1/14