Case Study – The best practices to ensure the plasma cutting machine specification meet performance outcomes
THE BEST PRACTICES TO ENSURE THE PLASMA CUTTING MACHINE SPECIFICATION MEET PERFORMANCE OUTCOMES & PROVIDES COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
In the current climate, we are all looking for ways to develop our business to increase market presence and improve efficiency. As part of this process, it is fair to think about all of our assets and our people, guarding ourselves against making an incorrect choice. However, we all know of other organisations that have rushed in headfirst in purchasing a new machine tool without proper preparation or understanding of the resource they need to be successful.
A recent purchasing decision by steel processing client ‘Contractor A’ highlights the possible outcomes that result from poorly considered choices.
Contractor A sought to purchase a new plasma/drilling machine to address a gap in their product offering. Whilst the machine they purchased was new, it was the cost-effective model that only provided competitive drilling capacity in carbon steel (which was 90% of steel processed). By making a hurried selection, the client overlooked specifications that would also allow them to process a Q&T plate (such as for the mining industry) and achieve higher margins. Therefore, the machine choice limited the client’s opportunity to serve related markets and address the gap that the machine was purchased to maximise.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE SPECIFICATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN CORRECTLY DEFINED?
By not asking the right questions about specification from the subject matter expert, your business’ expected performance outcomes might not be realised. The risk of getting this wrong can have significant long-term implications to your business. The bottom line is that through incorrect utilisation of resources, cash flow, floor space and power will have limitations on the type of work the business can bid for and win.
A gap analysis can identify the performance shortfall and highlight deficiencies in the business’ capabilities. It will consider information regarding capacity expectations, revenue and SWOT profiles, value gap analysis, supply chain management, complementary processes as well as material handling, training and support. This information is then used to develop the machine’s specifications.
By not understanding the gap that has driven the need for change, we can often find comfort in familiarity, prior knowledge and peer relationships. While this can be a good source of shared experience, very few will tell us what happens next.
Lost contracts, damaged reputation, reduced capabilities, and a poorly engaged workforce are experiences that have been recounted by too many clients who have chosen an underpowered drilling spindle that does not have the required torque to competitively drill a Q&T plate.
The industry accepts that drilling a high tensile strength Q&T plate requires increased torque and carbide drilling tool bit and not necessarily a larger motor. It is easy to make a poor choice if a buyer only focuses on the size of the drilling spindle motor when the drilling speed will be generated from the torque available from the motor. Specialist Machinery Sales clients provide drawings so that time studies from various model machines can be supplied. This allows clients to calculate what size machine will provide the fastest ROI and most competitive price per part.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BUY A CORRECTLY SPECIFIED PLASMA CUTTING AND DRILLING MACHINING-CENTRE?
When we bring assets into our business we do so because we expect they can bring value. If we do not understand ‘precisely’ how that value is going to be realised, are we making a good choice?
Partnering with a machine tool supplier who has the knowledge and expertise to match your business’ performance outcomes to a machine tool specification will assist you to bid for and win work. Clients of Specialist Machinery have reported the value of engaging and gaining our support as well as participation in the design process to create the specification that will maximise your value and ROI.
The plasma cutting and drilling machine supplied by Specialist Machinery Sales has auditable advantages that lower the cost per part while maintaining high-quality standards.
Capacity, sector relevance and potential revenue streams are enhanced when clients purchase a specification driven product. It has also been found that businesses are able to forecast a more competitive and efficient product offering, which in turn produces happy customers.
If all of our assets and our people have the versatility to do what we need today and also in the future, how much more confident would we be with what our business’ future looks like?
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Contact Specialist Machinery Sales today to discuss a superior machinery strategy for your business.