Major commitment
"Making this commitment was a leap of faith for both MarCraft and Kentec," Buck continues. "Kentec leased a nearby building and set up a complete supply center for us, and at the same time we began reducing our material needs by leaner manufacturing techniques and better controls on what we used and how we used it. At first, it looked like our projected uses weren't going to be right, but at no time did anyone say this isn't working.' Since then, we've increased our sales and our demand for materials. Our growth is steady.
"We're able to move faster than ever before to provide better service and better products," he adds. "Now, I don't have to worry about whether or not we have the resources to build something, or deliver on time. This arrangement has freed me up, at least mentally, to just go get new business."
"We're in their facilities first thing every morning to take inventory," says Mike Waters, industrial and dealer sales manager for Kentec. We make sure they have at least a 48-hour supply of everything, so after each inventory we replenish their lines to that 48-hour level. We monitor their usage and keep ahead of their demand. It's almost seamless; MarCraft people no longer have to worry about inventory.
"By monitoring usage we have been able to help MarCraft cut down on waste as well," Waters adds. "And by invoicing them daily as we replenish stocks they are able to have a firm grip on their manufacturing costs, too."
"Our whole company is more efficient, now," Buck Chambers comments, "and we're doing what we do best and that's not buying, receiving or stocking materials. Our team leaders can devote time to building relationships with customers and their markets."
New school?
"It's been an amazing process so far," says Gene Chambers. "I'm from the old school and today we've left all but maybe 15 percent of that thinking behind. We are looking forward to exciting growth because we know we can deliver.
"Our customers are seeing it, too," he adds. "While some suppliers are slowing down and their lead times are getting longer, we're going the other way. On custom designs, for example, we have a lead time of less than two weeks anywhere in the United States. That's probably twice as fast as most competitors."
