In addition to providing a full range of industrial gearing service and repair options, the company’s top concern is adhering to its manufacturing timelines by offering a thorough assessment and work scope before starting any job. Furthermore, as H&S stocks its own components, the typical six to 10-week process can be completed in as few as four weeks while rebuilds can be even quicker.

In short, this company is continually looking to make business-changing improvements, be it through product offering or market diversity.

Diversifying markets
“Horsburgh & Scott is a 138-year-old company that has historically been focused on metals and mining. In the seven years since I’ve been in the President/CEO position, we’ve worked hard to be much more diverse in our market presence,” says Randy Burdick. “Now we’re in anything that requires gears, from energy to oil and gas to chemical processing; from cement to sugar to tire and rubber. We’re much more diverse in the markets we serve now than ever in the history of the company.”

This opening up of new opportunities has brought an impressive quadrupling of business in the past seven years, Burdick says.

In keeping with its commitment to change and growth, the decision to acquire a facility in Louisiana came about in part due to the lure of a tremendous talent pool that the company could tap. “By acquiring the facility, we’ve also acquired a group of very talented employees that supported that site,” says Burdick. “We also see the Gulf Coast as a target-rich environment for our products and services.”

As Horsburgh & Scott services the power transmission industry as it pertains to gear drives, closed gear drives, loose gearing, and field service, it does a “tremendous” amount of business along the Gulf Coast in the petrochemical, oil and gas, and pulp and paper industries.

Propelling the Navy
H&S is also manufacturing new U.S. Navy propulsion systems, which will be produced in a 32,000-square-foot facility in Slidell that has been created to repair, maintain, and assemble industrial gears and gearboxes for the defense sector.

“That’s part of our growth initiative and strategy,” Burdick says. “We’ll grow that facility as that contract matures and bring in additional business to justify the expenses to continue to grow that footprint.”

The $4.9 million capital investment in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana—the result of the recent defense contract award and growing demand for the company’s products and services—will also directly create 40 new jobs with an average yearly income of more than $100,000. In the southeast region of the state, Louisiana Economic Development projects the creation of an additional 57 indirect employment opportunities, for a total of 97 possible new jobs.

According to Burdick, the H&S Slidell Service Center will assemble U.S. Naval propulsion drives that will be put to service protecting the sovereignty of the nation and U.S. allies. In addition, to service the commercial and military marine markets more completely, H&S has established its Industrial Marine Gearing Solutions subsidiary, offering 24/7 field service, gear and gear drive rebuilds and repairs, and ABS-certified gearing solutions. Propulsion drives, pump drives, winch drives, dredge pumps, alignment-free drives, and other goods are included in its line of marine gear.

To combat expensive downtime in the marine industry, Horsburgh & Scott will offer the fastest turnaround times in the industry thanks to its quality service technicians and durable ABS-certified gearing solutions that can withstand demanding usage. H&S also offers drop-in replacement drives and OEM spare parts to minimize downtime, and can repair or rebuild most gearbox brands with improved engineering specs. Additionally, the company can provide value-added services to its maritime clients, including comprehensive bore scope inspections, non-destructive testing, in-house carburizing and heat treatment, and more.

“We do brand-new, custom-engineered design and manufacture of U.S. Navy boxes and propulsion systems, and we’re undertaking repair of tugboats and dredge applications, pump cutter heads, and ladder drives for the marine industrial support side of our business as well,” Burdick explains.

Always essential
Considering the incredibly wide variety of industries that need gears and manufacturing processes, it’s no wonder that Horsburgh & Scott was not only considered essential at the height of the COVID pandemic, but did not need to lay off employees or reduce hours.

“We were hiring during COVID because there was a demand,” Burdick says. “One of the big issues during the pandemic was the U.S. market was offshoring gear manufacturing for various reasons including talent and cost. During COVID, Asian and European companies couldn’t get product or service technicians to the U.S., and people couldn’t get assistance because there was no one available to support product manufactured offshore. So, in the past three years, there’s been a tremendous push to re-onshore gear manufacturing back here in the United States.”

Horsburgh & Scott has benefited from this development by winning new business opportunities not previously available.

“Once COVID happened and people started looking for options and they realized that Horsburgh & Scott manufactured 100-million inch-pound gear drives for the mining sector or the steel sector, certainly we could manufacture a 10-million inch-pound gearbox for the cement sector,” Burdick says. “We had a lot of visitors, and we tripled our sales force to make sure we were reaching the right customers and giving them the customer focus they’re looking for.”

During this time, H&S also expanded its product offering to include field service. If customers couldn’t come to the company, Burdick says, the company would go to them, with trucks and trailers and all the essential tools to undertake inspections and comprehensive repairs on-site, ranging from laser alignment equipment to borescopes to portable milling machines for full comprehensive repairs.

“Where gear drives can’t be taken out, we’ll go to that customer’s site, rebuild or overhaul their equipment, and do that in a very expedited way,” he says. “Customer centricity is broadly used, but we’re a 24/7 company. We work 24 hours a day around the clock, seven days a week. That takes a certain type of character and a certain level of commitment by our employees.”

Customer centricity
“Customer centricity is key,” says Burdick. “Speed kills the competition, and we drive that throughout the organization. That culture of speed of response applies to everything we do, from the time we answer the phone to replying with a quote to shipping product.”

Maintaining that level of service also drives the company’s need to make acquisitions, Burdick adds. “We’re looking for acquisitions out west to get closer to our customers there in the mining sector; they don’t want to send gear drives all the way across the Rocky Mountains to the Midwest. We’re also making acquisitions down on the Gulf, really driving that customer-centricity focus and delivering that difference in everything we do.”

H&S is hot on talent acquisition, too, building its talent through hiring people, giving them better job training than they’ll get elsewhere, and expanding its workforce both internally and externally.

“We’ve also tied in with some really good customers that are the leaders in the industry,” says Burdick. “When they toured our facility and met our team, they saw the passion and our capabilities for vertical integration. We don’t talk the game, we deliver it.”

Owning the lifecycle
As a vertically integrated company, H&S fabricates, heat treats, cuts, manufactures, and designs its own gears, and also handles installation. “We really own the product lifecycle of our products, but we can also reverse-engineer competitive product and make it better and more reliable,” Burdick says. “That’s the unique difference we bring to our customers over a traditional gear manufacturer that’s focused only on their core offering.”

In terms of service, gearboxes don’t fail according to a company’s prescribed schedule, Burdick adds; they usually just fail at the worst times, which is when Horsburgh & Scott has to respond—and immediately.

“We certainly never tell the customer, ‘I’m sorry, we’re too busy,’ or, ‘it’s a holiday weekend, we can’t get to you,’” he says. He adds that H&S employees are committed to sacrificing their personal time to ensure that when customers call, there’s somebody available to service them at the highest level.

“That was a culture change,” he says. “That wasn’t something that was initially part of the DNA of this company. It’s been developed over the past seven years.”

Owner GenNx360—a private equity firm that invests in industrial and business services companies—has invested heavily in Horsburgh & Scott, which has enabled the company to grow with vigor and make the acquisitions necessary to build top-class product and customer portfolios.

“Without that support, we couldn’t do that,” Burdick says. “We’re now in a position where customers are seeking us out to drive speed and response on a breakdown, or for a technical matter where they’re having repetitive failures or reliability issues. We’re being brought in to help resolve those problems and we’re doing it better than anybody in the marketplace.”

The post Speed, Precision, and Responsiveness<p class="company">Horsburgh & Scott</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

Previously IS-Motorsport, Rayfast USA is part of the Interconnect Solutions Group (ISG). Additionally, ISG is proud to be a part of Diploma PLC. Listed on the London Stock Exchange and part of the FTSE100 , Diploma PLC is an international and decentralized group of businesses delivering practical, value-add solutions to customers across a broad range of industries.

As an international group of companies, ISG draws on the strengths of its eight global locations. With well-respected entities under its umbrella like Rayfast UK, Sommer, Filcon, LJR Electronics, Cabletec, and Gremtek, customers can order high-performance metal braided products, connectors, customized cables, rugged industrial electrical connectors with molded shells, accessories, tooling, heat-shrink tubing, bespoke assemblies, and many other items to meet their exact needs.

Global supplier
Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Rayfast USA is known as “the global supplier of specialized electrical solutions with the personal touch” for many reasons. Much more than a supplier, the company is renowned for its outstanding technical support, industry-wide innovation, customer service, and knowledge-based, cost-effective solutions. With an average NPS of 80+, the Rayfast model delivers exceptional customer satisfaction. From cable solutions to cutting services and pre-print services to logistics, clients can tailor-fit products to meet their specific needs and applications.

“We don’t curtail our business model depending on size,” says Nick Prudden, Sales Director USA. “If you’re one of the big guys, or the small guys, you get the same level of service. With personal touch, you are working with a representative.”

In the electrical space, there are a lot of large competitors, including multibillion-dollar distributors with deep pockets, lots of resources, and a significant online presence. Although impressive, it can be difficult—sometimes impossible—to reach someone since some larger companies do not have sales representatives or technical experts in specific product areas. “They are great for what they stock, and if the project is large enough, you can usually get someone to help you out, but don’t expect the level of technical expertise customers often need, as their range is far too wide to be experts in any particular area,” comments Prudden, “so the companies who need technical support and the smaller guys are left behind.”

Expanding into new markets
To ensure customers in all markets, including motorsport, civil aviation, medical, and industrial receive prompt, professional service, Rayfast has a global technical support staff, over 60,000 stock keeping units (SKUs), and a speedy 24-hour turnaround time. As a value-added distributor, Rayfast USA doesn’t specifically make components from raw materials, but has the capabilities to do some processing, such as re-spooling and labelling.

Rayfast USA carries a vast assortment of industry-specific products to meet every need. A one-stop solution provider carrying just-in-time inventory, the company has all kinds of wire and cable, heat- and non-shrink tubing, molded parts and shapes, interconnect and termination devices, connectors, adaptors and backshells, cable management systems, and more.

Since 2001, much of Rayfast’s core business has been high-end global motorsport, such as Formula 1® Racing, IndyCar (NTT IndyCar Series), NASCAR, and MotoGP. The company’s main business was supplying wiring harness components that go into wiring looms on cars.

Over the past few years, Rayfast has been developing its Aerospace, Defense, Industrial, Oil & Gas, and Energy expertise. This growth includes military and naval applications, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL), and electric vehicles (EVs). “That has all been new business for us over the past few years, since we branched out from motorsports,” says Prudden. A recent franchise agreement with TE Connectivity for Aerospace and Defense is another accelerator in these areas.

Rayfast USA focuses on the wiring harness portion of electrical builds. “When we look for suppliers, we look for things that can bolster our offerings and capabilities in the space we are playing in,” Prudden explains. This includes working with manufacturers who are authorized to make products that meet military specifications, which gives Rayfast USA access to a greater range of military spec items.

Future goals
Following the acquisition of industrial electrical connector stocking distributor LJR Electronics a few years ago, LJR’s Dayton, Ohio warehouse was reformatted. This saw some walls being knocked out and changes made to racking and forklift systems. By reformatting the warehouse, Rayfast USA expanded the building’s capacity five times, increasing space for inventory and processing.

“The trajectory is up and up,” says Prudden of the company’s future, supported by Diploma, which focuses on value-added solutions, not just products. “We are lucky to have that backing, as it gives us the ability to bring on new partners and increase stocking packages. Our goal is to continue to push into the aerospace and defense industries.” Prudden envisions additional acquisitions in the future, all while maintaining Rayfast USA’s personal touch.

“How do we differentiate ourselves from the big, humongous, billion-dollar distributors?” he asks. “Our ISG Technical Academy Training Programmes are there to ensure we stay ahead of our customers’ needs. This enables our sales force to help our customers to find the right solutions for them, alongside ensuring that Rayfast USA has the right stock and value-add manufacturing capabilities to provide our customers the right stock in the right volumes for the right application, on time.”

The post Electronic Solutions with a Personal Touch<p class="company">Rayfast USA</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

The FDA-registered iWALKFree crutch provides unmatched mobility and freedom from the constraints of traditional crutches for those with non-weight-bearing lower leg injuries including sprained or broken feet or ankles, Achilles injuries, lower limb amputations, and other below the knee conditions. iWALK is the only crutch substitute offering a degree of mobility that allows users to carry out daily tasks, heal faster, and regain freedom.

This painless, affordable, and straightforward device is making waves in the medical community as more and more studies reveal its unique ability to expedite healing while mimicking the muscle actions of a normal unassisted gait.

“We’re constantly changing and evolving our design to make it work better,” says Hunter. “We have a staff of people dedicated specifically to improving the product.”

While version 3.0 is currently on the market, version 4.0 is already in prototyping. And before 4.0 goes into production, 5.0 will be in design.

New technology
Even though the company strives to make each version perfect, consumers continually provide feedback and suggestions for improvement.

“The problems we’re trying to solve on the newest generation of crutch are more refinements than actual issues,” Hunter says. “For any manufactured product, people have no concept of how difficult it is to make something that works every time and is defect-free.” He adds that when anything medical-related is at stake, it’s essential that everything works as it’s supposed to, which is why the company devotes so many resources to its total quality management system.

Consumers, although often proposing valuable suggestions for improvements, don’t always understand how challenging it is to make even minor changes to the product, for example, in the case of a request for a shock absorber. “Unfortunately, it would add a lot of complexity, cost, and weight for not enough benefit,” says Hunter. “When your heel strikes the ground, that’s when your leg and hips and body feel the most force. We wanted to dampen that, but a shock absorber wasn’t really feasible.”

Instead, the company found a clever way of incorporating shock absorption into the foot of the crutch, similar to that in the heel of a running shoe, that was both protective and cost-effective. It’s in prototyping and has been “extremely well received.”

To get to that point, the team built prototypes which had actual active suspension with pivots and dampeners to determine exactly what they needed to achieve and found a clever and economical way to do it.

Proven right
The company’s successful innovations are getting noticed, evident in the fact that numerous imitations are now coming on the market.

“There’s an old saying that knockoffs prove you’re doing something right. We’re not afraid of them, except that the hands-free crutch is a relatively new concept, and if people go for the cheap knockoffs, their functionality is terrible,” Hunter says. “That can ruin the reputation of the hands-free crutch concept in general. But they’re not a challenge for us at all. If anything, it’s authentication that we’re doing it right.”

Fortunately, the imitations aren’t a commercial threat as the companies involved aren’t putting effort and resources into the product as they don’t specialize in it.

Conversely, “We only do the hands-free crutch; it’s our total focus. We provide the resources, the R&D, the quality control, and we meet the regulatory requirements. We also have technical support and customer service for iWALK customers. We have replacement parts, warranty, everything,” Hunter explains.

There is also the challenge of marketing, however, as potential users looking for crutches may not know the iWALK exists. “But because we’re the best-selling crutch on Amazon, they discover us when searching for conventional crutches,” Hunter says. “Online sales are good for us, because, again, people aren’t typically looking for an iWALK, they’re looking for something else. We’re still unfortunately at that stage of awareness.”

However, more and more doctors are recommending the device as they become familiar with its benefits, due in part to the copious amount of clinical research that’s been published. “For doctors, nothing is real unless it has the white paper to back it up,” Hunter says. “We have independent, peer-reviewed clinical research that is published in medical journals. And that’s the currency that doctors need to feel comfortable and know that the iWALK is legit.”

Better healing
The studies have shown that the medical benefits of the iWALK are numerous. “When the research came out, it validated what we already thought, but then actually turned out to be even better than that,” Hunter shares.

One of the studies included an electro-myocardiogram (EMG), where sensors are placed on the body to reveal muscle activity at the location of the sensor. “They ‘sensored up’ somebody’s leg walking normally,” Hunter says, “and then put sensors on the same leg walking with an iWALK. And the researchers were blown away.”

The study showed that with an iWALK, the muscles from the hip to the knee were doing the same thing as in a normal human walking action, but not only were the muscles of the upper leg active, so were those in the lower leg. Why is that important? It means significant reduction of the muscle atrophy that typically accompanies immobilized limbs. So although the affected leg has become non-weight-bearing, it has retained more muscle mass and your recovery will be quicker. “But even more significant is blood flow,” says Hunter. “And this is what’s mind-blowing.”

In simple terms, the heart pushes the blood out to the rest of the body with the furthest point being the lower leg. But the blood pressure from the heart pumping is not what brings blood back to the heart—what’s needed for that is muscle activity. The heart pushes blood out through the arteries and when the muscles contract, they push the blood back upstream through the veins to recirculate through the heart.

“If that muscle is dormant and has no activity, such as if using conventional crutches or knee scooters, then the venous pump—what this mechanism is called—is not activated. Essentially there’s a dam and the blood is blocked from flowing back upstream,” Hunter explains.

The most common place for this to happen is the lower leg. With no muscle activity, blood in the lower leg can pool, and nutrient- and oxygen-rich healing blood isn’t getting to the trauma site, meaning slower recovery.

“This can also lead to a blood clot called a DVT—deep vein thrombosis—and that’s nothing to fool with,” Hunter notes. It’s a serious, potentially deadly condition which is much more prevalent in people with non-weight-bearing lower-limb injuries due to lack of muscle activity. Ultimately, if you’re using crutches or a scooter, you run a higher risk of having a DVT than if you’re using an iWALK,” he says.

“It’s a lot to wrap your head around,” Hunter says, “but physicians understand it and fortunately, the research proves it. If there’s muscle activity, there’s venous pump activity. We all understand that muscle activity infers better blood flow, but because blood flow itself was not directly researched in the EMG studies, we didn’t actually prove the blood flow claim initially,” Hunter says. “So additional studies were conducted which specifically tested blood flow and researchers found that blood flow using an iWALK is substantially similar to normal unassisted human walking when you’re using not using a mobility device. And that’s huge.”

These studies also included surveys finding that fully 90 percent of people who use the iWALK, when given the choice between iWALK, conventional crutches, or a knee scooter, choose the iWALK. “Our primary problem is awareness and understanding. Awareness that this device exists and understanding of what it is, what it isn’t, and what it will do for you.”

Challenging the crutch paradigm
The company says that the biggest challenge it faces is changing a paradigm of thought.

“People have been using crutches for thousands of years and scooters now for 20 or 30 years. It’s just difficult to go against the mainstream, and it takes a lot of time.” But more and more people are saying their physician referred the iWALK to them, and more and more doctors are requesting brochures to hand out to their patients.

“So we’re winning, but we haven’t won yet,” Hunter says. “The biggest challenge, once again, is building a mainstream awareness of the device.”

Getting to the point of recognition and acceptance—as with knee scooters—is vital, he adds. “Because the device is so much better, the demand and the medical benefits are there. Our biggest challenge is educating everybody, including the physicians. We focus on the general consumer but also physicians because most people with a non-weight-bearing injury will go to a physician at some point. As a smaller company, we have a huge marketing challenge in building universal awareness of a new technology.”

Another challenge on a smaller scale is misconceptions. Because this is a new device and people have preconceived notions regarding blood flow and stability, ultimately, it’s the physicians who will have to provide sound medical advice.

“We identified a researcher who was the foremost expert in the field of angular momentum, which is the accepted way of measuring stability, and—surprise, surprise—the iWALK turns out to be way more stable than crutches, so it’s actually safer.” This debunks a common preconception that the iWALK might not be as stable as other mobility devices.

Quality systems
As iWALK has gained traction in the medical community and the company has grown, Hunter noticed the need for robust quality systems, both proactive and reactive, to be in place.

“I think we’ve done a particularly good job in that area, and this relates to the knockoffs of the iWALK. There’s no way they have the kind of quality control systems, with the documentation, that we have in place. You wouldn’t think this simple little device would have so much backing, but it does.”

The company also attends and exhibits at medical conferences, but right now its best salesperson is the customer who does a follow-up visit to their doctor and tells them how much they love the product.

“That’s still our most common referral source,” Hunter says. Social media is another excellent source of promotion where unbiased users in real-life situations share their experiences, photos, and videos.

“There’s so much user-generated content about the iWALK out there that’s building awareness organically,” he says. “And every endorsement and testimonial we’ve ever had was free, including 11 world champion athletes, gold medalists, and a list of celebrities including Harrison Ford. They may not know the medical benefits, but it’s all genuine.”

Tipping point
What the company is looking for is the proverbial tipping point of awareness, he adds. Scooters, for instance, weren’t advertised much, but the more people saw them “in the wild,” the more they started asking for them. “Ultimately, we want everyone to understand that this exists. Once that’s done, everything else will take care of itself.”

Hunter is convinced that as awareness and understanding of the benefits of the iWALK become more universal, the iWALK will become the first choice of mobility device, both by physicians and end users. “Once the medical community understands how significant the medical benefits are that this $150 device provides, one could argue that not having the iWALK as their primary recommendation subjects the qualified patient to preventable risk.”

The post Painless, Affordable, Straightforward – This Crutch is Made for Walking<p class="company">iWALKFree </p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

Samuel Automation was created when three separate businesses—Systematix and RAMP of Waterloo, Ontario and CAID Automation of Tucson, Arizona—were united under a single identity by parent firm, Samuel, Son, and Co., a venerable metal and industrial product manufacturer, distributor, and processor, based in Oakville, Ontario.

“We are formed by three independent companies that were acquired by Samuel,” says Octavio Gonzalez, Vice President of Operations at one of the locations. “When you look at the differences between the three companies, they are almost non-existent. Each shares the same goal of providing high-performance automation solutions to help our customers,” he adds.

Smart solutions
Samuel Automation’s solutions cover a wide range of areas in industrial automation, including testing, packaging, inspection and quality control, component assembly, material handling, Autonomous vehicles (AGVs), and mobile robots (AMRs). Depending on client specifications and intended use, solutions might encompass advanced motion, high-end vision, high-speed conveying systems, a wide range of sensors, software, and data collection tools including remote monitoring.

The company self-performs the majority of the work. “We do most of the engineering ourselves,” says Gonzalez. “We might buy some off-the-shelf components for integration, but the core of the engineering is done here within our companies. We cover all stages of design and machine building, including mechanical and electrical design, machine assembly and wiring, programming, debugging, performance tests, and final installation. Although we rely on previous experience and designs and we use that experience as we execute new jobs, it’s always custom automation,” he adds.

Transportation/automotive, life sciences, consumer products, and alternative energy are the main markets served by the company. Its transportation-related work ranges from systems for complex automotive assembly lines with a focus on screw driving, part marking, pressing, part feed systems, gasket, and seal insertion to inline quality management solutions, a category that encompasses vision inspections, continuity testing, leak and flow testing, and part track and trace.

For the life sciences sector, the company offers process management solutions, new product launch scale-ups—involving creating semi-automated, value-engineered modular systems that can be scaled up as production or demand increases at the client’s plant—fully automated assembly, and testing.

In the consumer product realm, Samuel Automation excels at complex assembly automation solutions. The firm has the requisite experience and equipment to build machines capable of assembling “products of almost any size.” Specific areas of automation expertise for consumer products include gauging and calibration systems, cleanroom systems, labelling and packaging solutions, dispensing, and filling solutions, laser welding and marking systems, and turnkey assembly systems.

When it comes to alternative energy, the company is venturing into hydrogen fuel cell assembly and electric vehicle (EV) battery assembly, a wise strategy, given the importance of renewable energy and the emergent trend among corporations to set sustainability goals.

An eye on expansion
While the company’s existing offerings cover a wide array of sectors, the team is eager to expand its reach even further. There are plans to consolidate the firm’s presence in certain industries and enter into some new ones.

“Samuel Automation has been growing in the AMR market,” notes Gonzalez. “As a company, we have been able to present ourselves as the better option for our customers. There have been situations where customers, who have deployed AMR projects with competitors, have reached out to us for re-engineering and [re-deployment].”

In addition to this, the company is “venturing into the mining sector with a couple of projects being executed at the moment,” he continues. “Additionally, the company has also started work on a line for carbon capture technologies.”

Partnering for success
Each business within the Samuel Automation fold has its own particular specialities. Systematix, for example, excelled at complex assembly and advanced vision solutions for manufacturing or industrial operations; CAID does a great deal of automation work for medical and pharmaceutical clients; and RAMP is heavily involved in AMR and carbon capture technology.

The firms work together on occasion or even partner with companies within the wider Samuel, Son, and Co. group. This arrangement benefits everyone: clients can take advantage of the collective services instead of having to farm out different elements of their project to multiple companies, while sales staff can offer the one-stop shop capabilities to draw new clients and increase revenue.

Much of what Samuel Automation does is intended to enhance plant floor productivity and efficiency, but the firm has a broader vision in mind. Its solutions can also boost workplace safety, says Gonzalez, citing examples where operators have been manually handling heavy parts while offloading machines. In a case like this, the company has provided solutions to eliminate human exposure to hazards with the use of robots and automation, “addressing operational safety risks in this way,” he points out.

Leading-edge tech
While Samuel Automation purchases state-of-the-art devices and components to be integrated, the firm has also developed some technological innovations of its own. In-house solutions include MAVIX Machine Vision Software, which uses a multi-camera setup, AI algorithms, and advanced proprietary software to conduct high-speed part inspections to detect qualitative or quantitative flaws on production.

SPMX is another proprietary creation that employs process monitoring software, reporting tools, and data collection for quality management. As well as establishing new markets, Samuel Automation is eager to develop more in-house solutions, says Gonzalez, some of which might involve artificial intelligence (AI). To this end, the company has been exploring the use of AI in its vision systems and has “successfully deployed AI for a couple of projects already within the vision realm.”

A strong team
All told, the company employs roughly 150 people across all the firms within Samuel Automation. Anyone looking for work here needs to have the proper educational background and technical skills, plus a few other traits: beyond academic achievement and expertise, the company is interested in what drives the new talent. “Are they up to the challenge of learning, solving, helping, and making the organization stronger?” says Gonzalez.

Commitment and loyalty are greatly appreciated too. The company understands the importance of “developing our own talent,” and advancing gifted people up the ranks, he says.

New and veteran employees alike are expected to embrace the company’s core values of integrity, respect, agility, courage, and ownership. Clearly, staff members have been receptive to this message, as the company has been earning industry kudos. In 2022, two company employees made the ‘Top 10 Under 40’ program compiled by Manufacturing AUTOMATION magazine; two other employees also made the list last year. Winners are selected on the basis of work ethic, leadership abilities, enthusiasm for education and training, involvement in industry associations, and commitment to safety, sustainability, and innovation.

Besides recognizing some of Samuel’s youthful employees, the magazine bestowed a lifetime achievement award on Senior Controls and Vision Integrator Michal Goc last year. This award is intended to “celebrate trendsetters and legends in the industrial automation space,” according to Manufacturing AUTOMATION. The publication noted that Goc was a driving force behind the MAVIX machine vision solution.

Hiring had been the company’s biggest challenge, and to this end, Samuel Automation worked hard to “develop our own pool of resources by getting younger blood into the organization and helping get them trained. It’s an investment for us; it takes years to get people to where they need to be, but it’s paid off,” says Gonzalez.

The firm has apprenticeship programs for hands-on positions such as electricians and machine tool builders, and participates in co-operative education programs as well. In a co-op program, university or college students spend time working for the company while completing their studies. Co-op programs allow students to gain real-world experience, earn money, and possibly secure a future full-time job after graduating.

Samuel Automation plans to remain in growth mode for the foreseeable future. “We have a very aggressive plan of growth, and that’s what we are focusing on,” says Gonzalez. “We are hoping to become a more recognizable name since we have transitioned from three individual companies to Samuel Automation.”

The post Enhancing Productivity, Efficiency, and Safety<p class="company">Samuel Automation </p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

International competitor
The VEXOS story of excellence began in 2014 when EPM Global Services of Markham, Ontario and STACI Corporation of LaGrange, Ohio were merged by the parent company, Centre Lane Partners, LLC to create VEXOS. Each company brought over 25 years experience to the newly formed organization, providing the foundation for the successful electronics manufacturing services (EMS) and custom material solutions (CMS) provider VEXOS is today. In addition to the impressive range of sophisticated EMS and CMS services, VEXOS also delivers comprehensive engineering solutions and advanced supply chain services.

With the strategic acquisition of ControlTek in 2023, VEXOS has a manufacturing location on each coast in the U.S., one in Canada, and two in Asia with sites in Vietnam and China, and has recently added a site in Mexico, making the company a growing international player. The newly announced Mexican facility—a 42,000-square-foot property—will open its doors in June this year and is slated to offer all the services and capabilities of the other VEXOS facilities.

Expansion and certification
The Vancouver, Washington facility has substantially increased the collective skill set of VEXOS. “The combination of VEXOS Vancouver’s many strengths, its West Coast location, and its presence in the Aerospace and Defense markets unlocks fresh opportunities,” says Cyril Fernandes, Senior Vice President, Global Business Development, of the addition. “This strategic acquisition is a noteworthy milestone in our progression, expanding our capabilities and catering more effectively to the varied requirements of our customers seeking manufacturing solutions spanning coast-to-coast. Vancouver has added to the suite of capabilities that we have in VEXOS, which drives business to us,” states Fernandes.

In addition to certifications such as ISO13485:2016, ISO9001:2015, and IATF16949:2016 at various locations, the company is in the process of achieving new certifications, including AS9100D:2016 for its Markham site, to better serve the aerospace and defense markets.

Proactive supply chain management
Supply chain management is another critical area for VEXOS. Renowned for its seamless integration with customers’ supply chain networks and specifications, VEXOS excels in acting as a robust extension of its partners’ operations.

Despite ongoing challenges, market demand for VEXOS products remains robust. The high inventory levels resulting from hedging strategies during the supply chain crisis have led to softening demand. “Before COVID, when interest rates were low, inventory carrying costs were minimal. However, with interest rates rising, customers are hesitating to reorder product due to the increasing carrying costs of their existing inventory surplus,” adds Fernandes.

However, this situation presents opportunities for VEXOS to offer complementary value-added services such as Design for Excellence (DFx) analytics, Strategic Supply Chain Programs, and higher-level integration services. “We have good strategies to tackle the challenges of freeing up working capital, space, and resources,” notes Sean Neill, General Manager, VEXOS Vancouver.

“We proactively manage supply chain challenges, but it’s always evolving,” says Neill, identifying Taiwan’s recent earthquake as an example of how natural disasters still affect the company’s supply chain, potentially impacting operations. VEXOS partners with customers to understand their unique challenges, and through strategic supply chain management and planning, and clear and timely communication, reduces risk of disruption.

“These services help customers optimize their operations and reduce costs. We have seen, not only in Vancouver but across all sites, an increase in new business opportunities with new customers, which offsets what we have seen with some of our existing customer base, all of which are achieved by our superior value add offerings,” states Neill.

Technological advancements
VEXOS continues to invest in cutting-edge technology to enhance its production capabilities. The integration of the Vancouver team has added valuable capabilities, particularly in test development. One notable upgrade is the acquisition of a 3D X-ray system from Yxlon, which provides detailed imaging for inspecting bottom-terminated components. “We’re excited about the complementary nature of our jet printing capability and the 3D X-ray system,” shares Neill. This advanced technology allows VEXOS to make real-time adjustments and improvements, ensuring high-quality production and effective defect reduction.

One of the recent notable advancements of VEXOS is the introduction of the C.U.T.E. (Customer Universal Test Equipment) system. “VEXOS C.U.T.E. is our proprietary universal test system that moves beyond inspection to provide fast, reliable, economical testing of part functionality. Our offering gets customers a very high level of test coverage at a much lower price,” says Neill. This system provides customers with an economical yet highly effective solution for verifying the functionality of their product, further solidifying VEXOS’ reputation for quality and innovation.

Addressing labor market challenges
A healthy bottom line is not just about business, however, and VEXOS is a company that genuinely values and appreciates its people. “Employees are a very important part of what we do. We want our people to know that they are a part of something bigger and that they’re valued,” says Neill.

The labor market presents significant challenges, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. Entry-level production labor remains difficult to source and retain, though once employees integrate into the company culture, retention rates improve significantly. A focus on creating a welcoming and engaging work environment, training, and internal growth has resulted in low turnover and long-term employee retention. “New staff become part of our culture and our organization. [Investing in them] just really pays off,” says Neill.

Future outlook
Looking ahead, VEXOS is poised to capitalize on opportunities in growing markets such as aerospace and defense, clean energy technologies, medical devices, and other key industrial sectors. With strategic investments and a focus on innovation, VEXOS aims to strengthen its position in the electronics industry and continue delivering high-value services to its customers.

VEXOS’ ability to adapt to changing conditions, invest in cutting-edge technology, and expand its capabilities firmly establish it as a leader in the industry. With a strong focus on employee engagement, proactive supply chain management, and strategic market opportunities, VEXOS is well-equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the future.

The post Excellence in the Electronics Industry<p class="company">VEXOS</p> appeared first on Business In Focus Magazine.

Everything about Viessmann Manufacturing Company Inc. is efficient, and while clean lines and minimalist design have always been part of its signature style, this innovative leader in heating solutions has just added to its traditional offering with a crisply designed, range of boilers engineered to suit even the most demanding modern lifestyle.

The company’s product design is every bit as slick as its technology. The new boiler design “matches the philosophy of everything we do. Whether it’s a boiler, a presentation, or software, we keep things very simple, sophisticated, and functional,” says Benjamin Jewell, Product Line Manager for North America. Whether these boilers are installed in purpose-built spaces or into smaller living arrangements, they blend into their surroundings effortlessly.

Choosing any Viessmann product is about a lot more than heating or hot water. Every product comes with the company’s service backed by its knowledge base with dedicated instructors at training facilities guiding installation contractors. Its Canadian office is also home to its engineering and controls departments and a CSA Group-certified testing laboratory.

The Vitodens wall-mounted high-efficiency boiler range comes standard ready for high altitude natural or propane gas installation and carefully blends the best new technology with dependability to create the company’s most efficient, reliable, low-maintenance, and intuitive Vitodens unit to date.

“From a volume perspective, the current models of our Vitodens wall-hung residential boilers are our most popular products, and we are excited to be launching our new versions of these models, including a few additional sizes, in July 2021. We are expecting these new models to be equally, if not more popular,” says Sandra Folleville, Marketing Manager.

The company’s new Vitodens 100-W B1HE and B1KE models (85 to 199 MBH) as well as the Vitodens 200 range (85 to 199 MBH) all come complete with new design elements like the Diamond Edge and Vitopearl White finish and several technological features. These boilers are all less expensive to run thanks to a sophisticated electronics platform and its most refined combustion platform yet, Lambda ProPlus. There are also installation benefits, automatic gas adjustment, natural gas to propane switching by pressing a button, automatic vent length adjustment, and software altitude adjustment. These features all allow for smooth installation, making calibration processes, hardware changes, switch adjustments, and specialty equipment obsolete during commissioning.

A new human-machine interface gives homeowners and end-users easy access to information such as the boiler’s gas and electricity consumption in English, French Canadian, and Spanish. Standard, integrated Wi-Fi offers connectivity to the company’s proprietary hydronic heating application, ViCare, available on both IOS and Android, and, because the new boilers also feature standard components of Viessmann’s existing range, servicing is easy.

Looking at the ViCare system, Jewell draws a comparison with systems on the market that have scheduling functionality on their thermostats. “Only about 60 percent of homes use the schedules that are available to them on smart thermostats. Smart thermostats are super common. But the percentage of people that use things like vacant modes, et cetera is really low,” he says. ViCare is different.

Viessmann created a technology that sets up schedules according to the temperature that users would like at certain times of the day. Manual schedules can be easily set up like on a thermostat, only this is a lot more user-centric, employing technologies such as geofencing on smartphones. This technology also switches the boiler from a preset Comfort temperature to an Eco temperature and back to create toasty warmth upon the user’s return. Being able to turn boiler temperatures down when not in use and on again in time for the user’s arrival makes a real difference to cost and energy savings.

The 100-series boilers offer a 3.5-inch display screen and the 200-series has a 7-inch color touch-screen similar to the latest smartphones to allow users to interact with the boilers. “It operates a lot like a cellphone. It allows for a more intuitive user interface. Both the 100 and 200-series’ interfaces also provide more information than we have historically done and quite a bit more than is common in the segment that we’re in,” says Jewell.

More specifically, the 200-series screen provides a range of messages from warnings and fault alerts to status messages letting users know exactly what is happening in the system. This function is a huge improvement on using codes or numbers that had users searching for the user manual or dialling a service technician for more information on what is happening with their boilers.

“Both [user] displays offer three languages. We [also] tend to embrace space, and that’s very much what you get with [our] boilers. The displays are beautiful and intuitive and very functional but disappear when you’re not interacting with them,” Jewell adds, noting that this makes the displays unobtrusive.

Vitodens 200-W B2HE is ideal for larger residences and offers the most applications yet, heating as many as three zones and up to four heating circuits simultaneously. Additional value add-ons include VitoGuide, ViCare, and ViPlan. Apart from providing users with comfort, the ViCare application also allows users to contribute to environmental protection effortlessly by saving energy with timing settings.

“The boilers have been around 95 to 98 percent efficiency for quite some time. As a manufacturer, we’ve invested quite a lot both from a research and development perspective and from a user study perspective. We have a pretty sophisticated [dedicated] user lab in Germany. Trying to understand what makes people happy and comfortable in the home as they interact with our products has allowed us to be a little bit more future-thinking,” says Jewell. “It’s one thing to be [nearly 100 percent] efficient but to make systems intuitive and easy so that contractors and users can use them more efficiently is where I think the Viessmann commitment shines.”

While minimally improving efficiency may not provide any huge immediate financial savings to homeowners, fuel and emissions savings for contractors who know exactly what they need to install the boilers, especially in remote locations, are real. Interchangeable parts take this saving even further, helping to improve overall efficiency tremendously. Time can now be used more effectively.

“It’s thinking outside of the box with regards to some of the efficiencies and green initiatives that are part of the overall system,” says Jerry Leyte, Director of Sales and Marketing.

COVID-19 proved that Viessmann cares about much more than only smart design. Since the beginning of the health crisis, every unit that the company dispatches is accompanied by two cloth ViCare-branded masks, for a total of around 10,000 masks. “We have customers buying multiple boilers. Some are giving them to homeowners who want them or to their own family members,” says Folleville of the masks, noting that the company has seen them around “on teenagers and homeowners who likely got them from a contractor.”

This is a close-knit team ready to serve. Company President Harald Prell recently received the Canadian Institute of Plumbing & Heating’s lifetime service award for forty years of service. However, his tenure at the company is even longer.

Adding to the Vitodens range, the Vitocrossal 200, CI2, (399 to 2000 MBH – one MBH is 1000 BTU per hour.) will be joining its collection later this year. This high-efficiency, light commercial boiler features new proprietary technology that promises to change how commercial boiler engineers specify projects in the future on both retrofit and the new construction market.

“The larger, commercial-model Vitodens boilers can be installed on a racking system in various configurations, as well as larger, floor-model, high-efficiency, condensing boilers that range from 1000 to 6000 MBH,” says Leyte.

Looking ahead, Viessmann has its aim firmly on connecting its entire supply chain to cloud technology to ensure that its customers and end-users enjoy the best user. “There is a future-proof experience behind all of the technologies,” Jewell says. After forty-one years, Viessmann Manufacturing Company, Inc. has the stability and long-term manufacturing expertise it takes to keep North America supplied with top-quality boilers for many years to come.

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