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E&O Tool and Plastics E&O began in 1986,when two long- range of injection presses, horizon-
<br /> • time friends (Don Erdman and Jim tal and vertical, which give it great
<br /> Continued from page 1 Osterman)decided to start their own manufacturing flexibility. Among
<br /> Finally, confidence is not just company. Each had a long history in other things, this means that it can
<br /> being willing to subassemble its plastics molding, Don in sales and overmold plastic. Its markets cur-
<br /> parts; it also involves actively Jim as a toolmaker. Each was also rently include sporting goods, med-
<br /> encouraging its clients to ask for frustrated by his inability to control ical, window hardware, appliance,
<br /> this service. To that end, E&O will the quality of the end product. Don computer housings, home improve-
<br /> sonic-weld metal fittings into its had no control over tool design, and ment, automotive after-market, elec-
<br /> parts, decorate, paint and package Jim had no control over the parts- tronics components and agriculture.
<br /> its client's products. production process. Combining their E&O's successes indicate good
<br /> What gives E&O such confidence? self-analysis with confidence to be
<br /> Like so many other Manufacturers self-critical. "We know this is a jour-
<br /> Alliance members, it points to itsney and not a destination,"says CFO
<br /> employees.A prime illustration is its i Jay Caswell. "We know that we need
<br /> fully staffed and equipped quality- to constantly measure ourselves. In
<br /> control department.Its tools include 7301 tienecks fact, that's a big part about why we
<br /> optical comparators to measure joined the Alliance. We are intensely
<br /> radiuses and arcs; coordinate-meas- f are a f c-t of interested in peer review One of our
<br /> uring machines to measure length, • own customers, an Alliance member,
<br /> height and width; testers of tensile , suggested that we investigate the
<br /> strength and density; and spectrom- " ire• tJUG( so1vt Manufacturers Alliance. We were
<br /> eters to monitor batch coloring. already looking for a resource for
<br /> The quality-control departmentUNC and lean manufacturing advice."
<br /> not only monitors manufacturing Director of Operations Steve
<br /> consistencies but also gives E&O a '' another one Durant echoes Jay's feelings. "The
<br /> competitive advantage. Each toolAlliance is a good fit and we became
<br /> • E&O builds is delivered with a First aware of them at the right time.E&O
<br /> Article Report and a Statistical 9SO Ss up. already has a culture that promotes
<br /> Process Control (SPC) capability education. For instance,we sponsor
<br /> study. Think about what this means a work-for-credit program at the
<br /> to the customer: Not only do they Buffalo Technical Institute.So,for us
<br /> get a finished tool, but they also get the Manufacturers Alliance is a good
<br /> to see what kind of parts will result olfr extension of that."
<br /> from its use. This postengineering Like all manufacturers, E&O has
<br /> analysis can be critical. Not infre- experiences, they believed, would its own set of problems.As Jay says,
<br /> quently, the customer's own part result in a superior product. Among `Bottlenecks are a fact of life. You
<br /> design creates problems in molding. their contacts they found an impres- solve one and another one pops up.
<br /> By up-front engineering, E&O's sive list of companies looking for the They require our constant attention.
<br /> clients can minimize reengineering solution that they were proposing. We look forward to hearing from fel-
<br /> of their tools prior to full production. So, with a ready demand, they low members on this subject.In par-
<br /> The savings can be enormous. launched their E&O endeavor and ticular, we look forward to partici-
<br /> E&O's expertise in molding also have never looked back. In August pating in the member tours."
<br /> provides its clients the opportunity 2001,E&O was sold to a key manage- In E&O, the Alliance has once
<br /> to develop plastic parts to compete ment group consisting of Jay Caswell, again attracted into its ranks a com-
<br /> with traditional metals. While plas- Tim Osterman,and Gary Pearson. pany of the highest caliber.
<br /> tics cost less than metals, their real Today, E&O leases its 75,000 By Justin Dorsey,
<br /> appeal is that part consolidation in square-foot facility in Elk River, Alliance Board Advisor
<br /> plastic produces fewer parts and Minn. Of its 120 employees, 105 are and Principal,Advanced
<br /> less assembly cost than with metals. in production. Its facility operates tr, Capital Group—"We
<br /> In fact, its SPC program is such an four rotating shifts, 24 hours a day, Design,Benchmark and
<br /> integral part of its manufacturing seven days a week.Its niche is quick- Manage Retirement
<br /> processes that it even provides its turn, lower-to-medium volume runs , Plans.,,Reach him at
<br /> machine operators with incentives (500-1,000,000) on dynamic projects 763-425-0613 or
<br /> • to take on-site statistics courses. in nonmature markets. It has a full jdorsey@acgbiz.com.
<br /> `
<br /> ma@mfrall.com February/March 2003 A Manufacturers Alliance 2
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