Basic Tools’ success hinges on education, technology investments

When Dario Cargnelli, president and owner of Windsor, Ont.-based Basic Tool Inc. started the company in 1985, he realized early on that computer technology would play an important part in the success of his full-service mold manufacturing business.

“The edge we have in the market is that we have the best and newest computer-based equipment out there, and that helps us meet our customers’ expectations,” Cargnelli said.

When he started out, Cargnelli had a single CNC machine. Today, Basic Tool has 38 CNC machines producing molds for the automotive and non-automotive markets in Canada and the U.S., with customers in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, New York, Virginia and Florida. But the use of technology does not stop there. From its 26,000 square foot (sq. ft.) facility, Basic Tool can build tools ranging from 200 tons to 3,000 tons using computer technology to monitor the process from the first receipt of the plans to the final delivery of the finished product.

All the design and engineering work is done on modern Sun Microsystems Inc.’s Ultra Unix workstations and advanced 3D tool design software.

But technology is only part of Basic Tools’ success. Cargnelli said the other key has been a prudent and careful plan of growth. Cargnelli added his company has never taken on more than it could realistically afford, thereby preventing the company from incurring onerous debt that might have caused tough economic times.

At the same time, Cargnelli has taken care to hire the best and most educated employees he can find. Cargnelli is adamant that a skilled workforce is the key for survival, especially with growing foreign competition.

“I went to China recently and it was a real eye-opener,” Cargnelli said. “(China) has the same equipment we have, the same knowledge we have and they are now importing people who speak English and have the technical skills they need to compete. We need to do more to keep our educated graduates here and to encourage more young people to consider plastics as a real career that can challenge their skills and ambition.”