Industry Spotlight Archive

WINTER 2011
Trace-A-Matic Custom Survey Results

 Quality is #1 at TAM!

Many of our current customers participated in a recent customer feedback survey. The results are in and the survey says… “the predominant reason that customers select Trace-A-Matic is for Quality”. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of the respondents cited quality as the primary consideration in placing their order.

In some circles, the thought is that if the blueprint specifications are being met, then quality is a given. However, when an overwhelming number of people identified quality as their primary rationale for supplier selection, they are indicating their recognition of superior results. And that’s what Trace-A-Matic delivers!

Improved Delivery

Other primary considerations noted in the survey as reasons for using Trace-A-Matic were delivery, competitive pricing and our large-part capabilities. From our previous customer survey in 2009, we had learned that our deliveries were an issue with a significant number of our customers. Based on that feedback, Trace-A-Matic launched an initiative to change and improve in that area. One year after implementing those changes, the 2010 survey results indicate that we’re on the right path!

Exceptional quality and improved delivery are not achieved without a cost. But our existing customers shared that competitive pricing is a reason they turn to Trace-A-Matic. We continually strive to provide fair pricing that will enable our customers to be competitive in their industries.

Opportunity for Improvement

The 2010 survey results also gave us feedback for improvement opportunities. In a couple of areas, Trace-A-Matic’s responsiveness didn’t rank as well as we would have liked. Based on survey specifics shared by the respondents, we have identified a plan with guidelines to improve the perception of responsiveness among our customers. This plan is now incorporated into our project planning, and we looking forward to our next customer feedback survey in 2011 survey to see how we’ve succeeded.

Thanks

Thanks to all of our customers who took the time to respond to the survey. Over 50% offered their feedback. This exceptional response rate is in itself a formal indication of the strong relationships that we’ve developed and maintained with our customers.


AS9100 Accreditation for Trace-A-Matic

AS 9100 Rev. BTrace-A-Matic Corp, already known for machining precision components to high standards, recently raised the bar by having their quality system certified to the AS9100 standard. Through the efforts of Bob Carty, Quality Director, Bob Gillett, Quality Systems Specialist, and their team of internal auditors, we''ve moved from ISO 9001:2000 to AS9100, which is inclusive of the former. As Trace-A-Matic continues to build a reputation for precision aerospace machining, the structure of the AS9100 certified quality system will be invaluable.

Prior to AS9100, while under the ISO 9001:2000 systems, Trace-A-Matic performed at the second tier level for several major players in the aerospace engineering field. With our upgraded AS9100 accreditation, we''ve already seen new opportunities for aerospace machining as a tier 1 supplier - which, of course, was our goal!

With a wide variety of specialty CNC machining center equipment designed to facilitate machining of larger components, Trace-A-Matic can offer precision manufacturing capabilities to customers in any industry. Couple that with our intimate knowledge of more exotic materials (including titanium, inconel, hastelloy, plus high alloy steels) and Trace-A-Matic becomes the "go to" machine shop for Aerospace Parts Machining needs.

For manufacturers in industries other than aerospace, AS9100 Certification provides further assurance of the highest quality precision machining that has formed Trace-A-Matic''s legacy. Regardless of the end-use of the products we machine, Trace-A-Matic will deliver only the best for each of our valued customers.

SUMMER 2010
Added SNK RB-6VM 5 Face Machining Center

Trace-A-Matic has customers who are major players in the mining, aerospace, heavy equipment, power generation and oil & gas industries. By their nature, components that are part of these product lines are large, complex and exacting. To offer our customers more machining resource to meet these needs, Trace-A-Matic added the SNK RB-6VM 5 Face machining center during the summer of 2010.

The SNK offers:

  • X travel of 246"
  • Y travel of 150"
  • Z travel of 23.6"
  • W travel of 63"
  • Distance between columns of 137"
  • Maximum weight of 20,000 lbs

The 5 faces feature both vertical and horizontal heads. The horizontal head can be oriented in one degree increments. These combined features enable us to machine the top of a part and all sides in one set-up. This reduces both set-up time and the potential for inaccuracy when doing multiple set-ups. The double column design and construction yield a very stable and accurate machining.

Consider our equipment capabilities as you look for precision machining suppliers for your large parts manufacturing needs.