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Bomco's rework and scrap rate has made a significant drop from over 5 1/2 percent to under one percent in the eight and one half years it has been measured. Likewise, the reject rate has dropped from just under three percent to well under one percent for the same period. The reasons? Varied. Bomco has always focused on a Continuous Improvement Program. More recently, the discipline of ISO registration has expanded the focus to all systems and operations, all of the time. As Walter Fredrick, Quality Control Manager, explains "we're pleased that our rework and reject rates are coming down... but the most important thing is our focus on finding improvements in all our operations." With "internal auditors" being trained at local community colleges and learning more and more about other departments and our entire operation, "there is much better inter-departmental communications and understanding that promotes a team effort" notes Maria Blair, vice president. When "faults" or problems occur, they are thoroughly examined and "preventative actions" developed to reduce or eliminate the reoccurance of the problem. These preventative actions form a big "suggestion box" for improving any system or process. So far improvements have been made in virtually every area. A new expander has been ordered. A new motor controller on a spin lathe ramps up slowly to accommodate heavy chucks. "A 20 percent improvement in material use for a particularly difficult job was achieved" points out plant manager, Joe Cordaro. Parts trimmed in a conventional lathe now are processed by CNC machining. More hoists and better material handling improve productivity. CAD/CAM upgrades, internally-developed programs and computer enhancements have formalized and improved all operations from purchasing to production. While new equipment and process improvements are important, "it's a lot of small things, attention to detail, positive attitude and steady improvement that makes the difference," emphasizes president Pete Banks. "We must be more productive just to cover increasing costs like healthcare, materials and labor, just to name a few," explains Banks. Over the years, Bomco has seen steady improvement. The current productivity rate, based on the value of shipments per employee during the past four years, has increased 47 percent. |
Our Customers Speak For Us. "I have been in this business for a number of years. I have to say that the effort that Bomco put forth to meet our goals was the most extraordinary I have ever seen. I look forward to doing business with you. Thank you."
Kerns Manufacturing Corporation
If you have a comment about Bomco's performance and would like to "speak for us", we would be very happy to hear from you. Please send your comments to N.K. Banks, Jr., President, Bomco, Inc.,
125 Gloucester Ave., Gloucester, MA 01930.
PRODUCT FOCUS: Jet Engine Heat Shield
This jet engine heat shield, produced by
hydroforming, double-acting hydraulic press forming,
shell trimming and multi-axis machining, is typical of
many precision parts produced at Bomco requiring
multiple operations. This heat shield, made from AMS
5596 material, is 7 in. in diameter, 7 in. high and .014
in. thickness.
Bomco, Inc.
125 Gloucester Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930-2254
Phone: 978-283-9000
Fax: 978-283-2882
E-Mail: custserv@bomco.com
