Moldmaking Report: United They Stand

FGL and KNT have merged their operations into a larger facility that was designed to make the best use of all their resources.

Breathing room. Room to grow. Room to plan, dream and design. That’s what the move to a larger facility has given moldmaker FGL Precision Works Ltd. FGL moved into 52,000 sq. ft. building in Toronto last year, which is more than twice the size of its previous facility. Joining FGL in the new building is KNT Precision Works, a subsidiary purchased in 1999.

Integrating the two companies in one location allowed FGL staff to fully merge and optimize the assets of both groups.

“We saw the benefits right away,” says Tom Meisels. “We moved to this facility in June, and immediately it improved our efficiency.”

“We did a tremendous amount of planning (before the move),” says Meisels. “We held weekly planning meetings and plotted machine placements on a 1/100 th scale model of the plant.”

“We were able to group machines according to size, style and use,” explains Michael Wedgewood, “based on the work flow of a mold.” The shop floor is laid out as three parallel bays, each served by an overhead crane.

Electrical and communications wiring, plus air lines, are grouped together and routed along the crane runways.

“Because this is a larger plant, it forced us to take a look at the movement of people and work pieces,” says Meisels. For example, it became impractical for employees to use a single terminal to enter information into the company’s shop floor management system. Now there are four terminals, one in each corner of the shop, to minimize the distance from any point to a terminal.

“Flexibility is critical within our operation,” says Meisels. “Knowing where each job stands allow us to shuffle things around and fit in a customer demand on the fly.”

With FGL’s emphasis on medium and large tools, and KNT’s experience in smaller, high precison tools, the company can now fulfill its ambitious marketing line: “Any tool. Any size.”

Both FGL Precision Works and KNT Precision Works are now located at 475 Fenmar Dr., Toronto, ON M9L 2R6. Tel: 647-288-1212, fax: 647-288-1220.

*************

Mold makers conference set for April

A dynamic line-up of speakers at the CPIA Mould Makers Conference will help Canadian mold shops to compete in the challenging global maketplace by providing a true picture of moldmaking operations in Asia, and by presenting ideas to improve manufacturing and business conditions at home.

The event, called Global Competition: Insight and Action, takes place April 16-18 in Niagara-on-the- Lake, ON.

Colin James, who has worked in Asia for several years, will report on business conditions in that market to give moldmakers a clear picture of their competition. Gordon Young, COO of Reko International (Windsor, ON), will speak of his company’s experience partnering with a Korean moldmaker.

Other topics on the agenda include a case history of lean manufacturing in the moldmaking sector, insurance issues and the unveiling of a SR&ED tax credit guidance paper developed by and for moldmakers.

There is also a strong networking tradition at this weekend event. There will be opportunities for golf and visits to local attractions, a dinner show on Friday, and a gala dinner on Saturday.

For more information or to register contact Marilyne Berman at CPIA, 905-678-7405, ext. 278 or mberman@cpia.ca.