There
are some common misconceptions in the manufacturing industry about managing
suppliers and using specialty components. At the Atlantic Design and
Manufacturing Show in June of this year, Jacob Prak, CEO of Michigan Manufacturing International (MMI),
discussed how using specialty components can help customers save money.
Prak
stated that customers may think it is easier to manage a supplier who is
nearby, instead of one that is far away. He said, “The truth is that it is much
more important to find the right supplier than to find one that is in close
proximity. MMI easily sources products from all over the world.”
When
a specialty component is desired, a common idea is that one should find a
supplier who specializes in the processes required for that component. However,
by sourcing a product from a company who specializes in a certain process, a
customer can get locked into using that process. Prak offered a better
solution, saying, “It’s better to find a manufacturer who can analyze the
function of the part and then offer the most cost-effective, best-performing
manufacturing process to suit the situation.”
While
it is best to use standard components when possible, Prak noted that innovative
products and designs will often require special components due to their new and
unique characteristics. Special components are often designed to function more
effectively in a given application or to take the place of multiple standard
components, often saving money.
In
a recent example, a customer came to MMI with a part that consisted of a bamboo
shaft that had been reinforced with a carbon fiber rod. The challenge was how to
maintain the same weight and strength, but cut the cost. Prak explained how MMI
successfully met this goal. “We replaced the carbon fiber with an aluminum
extrusion. The strength was maintained, and the result was a cost savings of
about 25%.”
Founded in 1991, Michigan Manufacturing International (MMI) specializes in supplying
manufactured to print assemblies and components to original equipment
manufacturers (OEM). Products include assemblies,
castings, stampings,
machined
parts, gears, bearings and more. Services include product engineering,
manufacturing,
inventory management and stocking
programs — all designed to streamline client operations and increase
profitability. MMI designs the most effective, highest quality solutions from
anywhere in the world.
For more information about MMI,
visit www.michmfg.com or call 800-677-0504.
