Mechanical Industries LLC has focused on providing its clients with value not available elsewhere.

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is a company focused on remaking itself.  Dramatic declines in the businesses of its primary customers over the last few years left the company with what could have been viewed as bleak prospects. “But we can provide a lot of different services,” says Charles Norris, president and CEO, who has been associated with Mechanical Industries since 2003. “We were just not providing them to enough different kinds of customers.”    

Norris initiated an expansion plan, targeted on finding customers who value the high-quality manufacture of parts and assemblies augmented by solid customer service. “The majority of our current business was coming from repeat customers, which confirmed that if we could bring new projects aboard, we’d be able to nurture those clients and grow with them,” he says.   

Mechanical Industries was founded in Milwaukee in 1948 as a job shop specializing in component parts for the outboard motor, agriculture and engine industries. Over the years, Mechanical Industries expanded its customer base to include makers of pleasure boats, motorcycles and outdoor power equipment, among others. Throughout its history, it has focused on providing customers with value not available elsewhere.   

In 2005, the company was purchased by C&J Acquisition LLC, of which Norris is a principal. “We wanted to become a one-stop shop, since we felt that would be the best way to serve our customers,” he says. “Our people have come to understand that without customers, we’re no place. So once we get one, we do whatever it takes to satisfy them. We’ve been known to drive parts across two states in the middle of a snowstorm to make a committed delivery date.   

“Since 2008, we’ve really expanded our sales and engineering staff,” he continues. “This has made it possible for us to get out and see what our new customer base looks like, and to meet and discuss issues with our customers. To put a face with our name.”    

Mechanical Industries now provides a complete range of tube and rod fabrication services. “We can pretty much answer all of our customers’ needs when it comes to making things out of metal,” Norris says.  The firm’s equipment includes presses up to 400 tons, CNC tools such as swiss-turn machines, lathes and both vertical and horizontal machining centers, as well as screw machines from single through six spindles.   

“We have helped several customers with designing and prototyping new products, and that’s ultimately helped them reduce their manufacturing costs,” Norris says.  “It’s good for us, because it gets us in on the ground floor of new opportunities.”    

Mechanical Industries’ customers include companies making agriculture, medical, green motorized, lawn care, recreational, furniture and marine products, in addition to the products of its retained clients.

Staying Efficient
Since C&J acquired Mechanical Industries, it has been implementing lean manufacturing methods, Norris says.  “Lean requires you to have specific procedures, and to continually challenge them to make sure they’re as efficient and low-cost as possible.  Getting the program underway was somewhat of a challenge, but we’re over the hump now and feeling the positives,” he adds.   

Additional economies are generated by the company’s in-house tool room, where most tooling is designed and built. “Having our own tool room gives us greater control than if we went to outside vendors, plus we can turn prototypes around much faster and at a lower cost,” Norris says.

Belt-Tightening
Norris explains the company is staying strong despite the poor economy. “We’re doing fairly well, but not without a lot of belt-tightening.”  One reason cited is the creativity Mechanical Industries’ managers have shown in getting the most out of the human resources the company has been able to retain.     

Norris also credits the expansion of the company’s sales presence for his op­timistic future view.  “We have new and ongoing projects underway with customers added in 2008 and 2009,” he says. “A lot of that production will occur in 2009. I think we’ll do well.”