ART Technologies Wins the Zierick Manufacturing Corporation Productivity Award
January 13, 2009 - ART Technologies of Hamilton, OH, is pleased to announce that they have won the prestigious Zierick Manufacturing Corporation Productivity Award, which recognizes a Precision Metalforming Association member company for their outstanding achievement in the development and implementation of programs, processes, and asset utilization that lead to significant improvements in productivity.
ART Technologies is a precision metal forming company that employs coining technology to manufacture Stamped Race Ball Thrust Bearings, used primarily in the automotive, heavy truck, and RV industries. The emergence of Asian bearing manufacturing spawned a number of low cost copycat competitors supplying these products to the automotive sector, which drove down pricing.
After careful consideration of a variety of options, ART Technologies decided to meet their competition head on and initiated an effort to decrease costs and improve pricing to contend with the Asian suppliers. Management considered the fact that customers put value on TS16949 quality certification and a North American supply base, and a careful analysis determined that automation would achieve productivity gains, exhibit a short term ROI, and also serve as a long term business strategy.
Automation loading was quickly implemented on two assembly machines and two presses across 32 operations to improve productivity and increase capacity. In addition, coin presses were rearranged to implement a workcell concept. These changes created efficiencies that required 7 less staff and led to a 25 to 40% increase in parts per hour, depending on machine. The reduced manpower was realized through attrition and retraining, and remaining manpower was incentivized to take on more responsibility by increased pay and job security.
The goal was met - pricing improvements driven by productivity increases resulted in sales that were formerly sourced to China being resourced to ART Technologies in the USA. Specifically, our achievements:
--increased capacity for bearing assembly by 33%
--increased capacity for small race coining by 57%
--reduced labor cost for these products 24%
--increased sales of these products by 43.4%
To honor our success, the award will be presented at a ceremony during PMS's Technical Conference on Monday, April 27, in Cleveland, OH.
ART Technologies accomplishments will also be promoted through a display at the Technical Conference featuring the Awards of Excellence winners. They will be also featured in a MetalForming magazine article about the winning companies.
About ART Technologies
Founded in 1943, ART Technologies, Inc. is a family owned and managed high volume precision metal forming company located conveniently between Cincinnati and Dayton, in Hamilton, OH. We combine proven past techniques with leading edge engineering and the latest available production technology to offer unique solutions for manufacturing difficult and custom stampings, bearings, and assemblies.
We serve a diverse customer base in many industries, including but not limited to Agricultural, Appliance, Auto, Truck, Bus, and Trailer marketplaces. Products and services include Metal Stampings, Automotive Door Striker Assemblies, Ball Thrust Bearings and Tapered Roller Thrust Bearings.
By mastering organizational efficiency and remaining on the leading edge of engineering technology, ART Technologies is moving towards the future with expanding capabilities with an unparalleled combination of people, process, and product. ART Technologies, Inc. is ISO 9001:2000 and ISO/TS 16949:2002 registered.
For more information on what ART Technologies can do for your business, please contact us at:
ART Technologies, Inc
3795 Symmes Road, Hamilton, OH 45015
Tel: 513-942-8800 | Fax: 513-942-3200
Email: sales@art-technologies.com
