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Mikko
Lindstrom, President
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New
Realities...
New Opportunities in the Sheet Metal Fabrication Marketplace
The
only constant in life is change. These words ring especially
true when attempting to analyze and forecast the future of
the sheet metal fabrication industry.
To be sure, certain segments of the
industry have faired better than others. But today there are
an increasing number of signals that we may be coming out
of the recession. For example, the Institute of Supply Management,
(previously the National Association of Purchasing Managers)
recently surveyed their membership on the marketplace condition
of machine tools. Their findings indicate that the basis for
solid improvement is now in place. Delayed projects for machine
tools are showing new life with orders soon to be placed at
strongly increased levels.
The "new marketplace reality" also extends to our
customers - both original equipment manufacturers and job
shops. For the sheet metal fabricator, the ongoing trend continues
to be: Make them faster, cheaper, deliver defect-free products
on time with more features, and of course, at less cost. Translation:
Improve productivity, quality, and delivery…or someone
else will.
Going Global
Today, the sheet metal fabrication
industry has become a world market. Many companies are reaching
outside traditional geographic borders to attract international
business. As a result, these fabricators find themselves competing
in a cost structure much different from North America.
Working in a global environment presents
a new set of challenges - logistic, language, cultural, and
not least, being able to adjust to a foreign price structure…and
still make a profit. There can be a variety of possible solutions
to this challenge: (1)
Duplication of the process in the foreign country; (2) Networking
with reliable foreign partner; or (3) Expanding capacity at
the home facility. All of these solutions have their difficulties.
However, when solution #1 and #2 are combined, headaches
are a common side effect.
Whether
duplicating a process or finding a foreign partner, the home
facility's production capabilities should always be closely
scrutinized. Only duplicate processes or procedures that have
proven value. Give the foreign partner true value in your
joint programs. And most important, the home facility should
operate "lean and mean" and outperform the competition
in any country.
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The
globalization of the sheet metal fabrication industry work
both ways - with the global market closely monitoring the
total cost of fabricated products. The result is that end
users are not willing to pay substantially more for sheet
metal parts just because they are produced by a local vendor.
In today's volatile economic environment, pricing is a moving
target. If you aim to lower manufacturing costs…you just
might be on target. Improved part quality, shorter lead times,
quicker deliveries, smaller order volumes, and more competitive
pricing are the new realities for today's sheet metal fabricator.
Future growth or even survival often depends upon a company's
ability to change with these new realities of the marketplace.
But
change does not have to be a negative. Indeed, with proper
planning and wise investments, the future can be an opportunity…not
merely a challenge.
The
Future is Now
The "new marketplace realities"
match Finn-Power's product line perfectly. For many years,
Finn-Power has added versatility to individual work stages
by integrating them with automated material management and
making automation as flexible as possible. Our goal has always
been to improve our customers' productivity and profitability
by giving them a competitive edge over the competition.
Today,
we have proven, globally-acknowledged solutions for any sheet
metal fabrication need with a variety of work stages and methods.
In addition, we not only have the modules for optimal automating
process material flow, but also the application engineering
knowledge to specify the optimum in each case. The range is
wide enough so that our customers do not have to compromise
to achieve Lean Manufacturing in their fabrication facilities.
Integrating machinery to work together
seamlessly from part to part and operation to operation has
been resolved by Finn-Power's Night Train Flexible Manufacturing
System. In addition to punching, shearing and/or laser cutting,
the Night Train allows the addition of robotic press brakes
or an in-line automatic panel bender to automate the component
bending process. This system allows customers to bend only
the parts that are needed today and to be able to bend parts
in different sequences than what they were punched to match
their assembly needs, thus eliminating extra work in process
while increasing throughput.
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| During
a recent visit, Mikko Lindstrom (right) led
a tour of the Customer Support Center in Arlington
Heights, IL, for guests Arto Pohto, managing
director, Lillbacka Corporation (left); and
Andreas Tallberg, director, EQT Partners Oy
(center). |
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A
change in Finn-Power Group's ownership has also taken place
recently. Last March, EQT Northern Europe Ltd, the Investment
Manager of EQT Northern Europe private equity fund, has acquired
100% of the shares of Lillbacka Corporation and the Finn-Power
sheet metal working technology business.
Jorma
Lillbacka will remain a member of the Board of Lillbacka Corporation
and Arto Pohto is the new Managing Director. Jorma Lillbacka
also remains the owner of his swaging technology and logistics
businesses and companies.
The creative entrepreneurial spirit
of Jorma Lillbacka will always be a proud part of our heritage.
However, all companies must constantly explore ways to expand
and improve.
Finn-Power will continue its leadership
position and developing and implementing new sheet metal fabrication
technology.
Have a great summer.
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710
Remington Road