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Heavy Equipment Maker Offloads Critical Components
Situation:
A major manufacturer of construction equipment was looking to optimize
scarce manufacturing resources within one of its production facilities.
One solution was to outsource two categories of large, precision components
and redeploy the plant, equipment and personnel in that area. While both
categories consisted of key structural components, one of them had some
particularly vexing characteristics: aesthetic appearance was critical
and mounting tolerances were very close and difficult to hold. The OEM
contacted Jones Metal Products, Inc. looking for a solid, reliable supply
chain partner that could take over the responsibility for fabricating
these key, tough to build components and flowing them into their production
line. 
Solution:
Key personnel from Jones Metal Products, Inc. responded with a cross
functional team approach. The JMP account manager coordinated with the
OEM's Production Control people to manage the transition. The Engineering
department created files and programs and designed gauging needed for
production, while Quality personnel coordinated the process FMEA steps,
developed preproduction approval documentation and created quality plans.
Welders from JMP worked directly with the OEM welders to "download"
critical process information and techniques. At the same time, JMP management
brought in a new robot. Engineering brought the new machine online in
minimal time by coordinating with the OEM and the robot supplier. During
production of initial sample orders Engineering and Quality personnel
worked to finalize gauging requirements, completed measurement evaluations
and prepared required documentation for customer approval. 
Result:
In a matter of weeks, the OEM was able to offload two major components, freeing up critical capacity needed for other production with no interruption on the line.
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