10. YOU NEED TO SELL IT.
Manufacturing was born because someone had an idea. An intuitive sales force seeks out a product need and determines if it’s within the company niche.
9. HOW DO YOU MAKE IT?
Define its purpose and quantify demand. What type of production will it take? Machining? Molding? Custom?
8. DESIGN ONLY TAKES YOU SO FAR.
Innovative, forward-thinking engineers develop the concepts, thus giving life to the idea — but only on paper.
7. THE PROOF IS IN THE R&D.
Off the paper and onto tooling. Prove it will work; assemble the team.
6. PEOPLE BEFORE MACHINES.
A cohesive team is your best resource, and a lifeline to a quality product. People create; machines manufacture.
5. HAVE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT.
In an age of global competition, staying in the game means staying ahead on updated equipment, quality processes and certifications.
4. EMBRACE QUALITY STANDARDS.
Quality is an integral arm of manufacturing. Adhere to standards through every point of the process. ISO 9001 certification guarantees conformity not only to the customer, but also with regulatory requirements.
3. KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT IN MIND.
Corporate social responsibility is real. ISO 14001 certification assures employees, management and customers that environmental impacts are not only being measured, but that improvements are top of mind.
2. BE SAFE.
We value our employees, including their fingers and toes. OSHA 18001 certification is not just a framed document hanging in the front office. Safety is every minute of every hour, every day. No exceptions.
1. KEEP MORALE UP.
Recognize and reward; employees are so much more than hired hands. They’re the heart of any organization and ultimately want to help make a difference and be part of something bigger.
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Robert Maguy is operations manager in the machine shop at Micron Products Inc. in Fitchburg. Contact him at rmaguy@micronproducts.com.
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