doug8cat
Titanium
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2008
- Location
- Philadelphia
I work in shop that has been around for some 20+ years and doing well till about 2 years ago. There are reasons for this that won't go into, do to let us say personal issues (not mine) that could have been rather easily fixed, but I do have ideas on how to get back in the black. Problem is know one will do me the courtesy of even hearing me out. Shit man if had an employee that had ideas on how to improve my bottom line I would take the guy to lunch, listen an maybe even take notes, assuming he was not mad a as a hatter. BTW we are currently a 2 man shop 3 including the owner, I program, setup, run and repair the old girl ''98 an she is showing her age.
Just one example, which pretty much sums up the whole situation. We have one repeat job which requires boring out a 3" hole already present in the casting (cast Fe) to 4". Currently I interpolate it but this a huge waste of time. I suggested we go to the big Kaiser SW-19 step cutter, I have not done the math But from the chart I estimate it save between 45 min/hole. Average run 5 pieces, 6 holes each = time saved (conservatively) 1,350 minutes on the job, or 22.5 hours.
The one time I got usual half assed answer it was "That tool looks very expensive.". Well no shit it probably is, but most models show tooling to be 3-4% of job cost. An in one run of 5 pieces I am sure we would pay for the tool plus increase profit on the whole job. not mention give chap who thought of it a nice bonus.
Every single idea I come up with gets an excuse as why it is no good. Granted I am just a cog in the machine but I have managed other businesses, and have more letters after my name than the average bear. But they don't even show me the basic courtesy of sitting me down an hearing me out.
I get it, yes it worked fine for the last 20 years; but ain't 1979 any more. You keep up with latest tech or you die.
Am I a fool for even wasting my time, since I get paid whether the hole takes 5 minutes or 5 hours? I won't even get into my ideas on diversifying our shops capabilities. when I broach that subject I usually have to dodge an RPG.
I am very in interested in medicine an follow new technology closely. Now that a lot of procedures are being done with very small endoscopes an I expect to see an increase in demand for those parts. Another market we could look into (I have some contacts there as well). Incoming RPG
Any ideas? Should I just take my check and be satisfied? I really would like to see the Co. grow an me with it. I have no problem working a 40-60 hour week, but I need something in return profit sharing etc. Don't get me wrong, yes I wanna make more money, who doesn't? But I love a challenge, an currently I am not challenged and growing increasingly BORED.
Thanks for sticking with me here. One last thing and correct me if I wrong. You need to be investing new (not some used piece of garbage) equipment and employee training (I cannot even get them to sen me to continuing education.) to stay competitive. Case an point, small parts i.e.endoscope components if don't have the latest swiss lathe your already behind your closest competitor.
Thanks for listening and I look forward to your ideas.
Just one example, which pretty much sums up the whole situation. We have one repeat job which requires boring out a 3" hole already present in the casting (cast Fe) to 4". Currently I interpolate it but this a huge waste of time. I suggested we go to the big Kaiser SW-19 step cutter, I have not done the math But from the chart I estimate it save between 45 min/hole. Average run 5 pieces, 6 holes each = time saved (conservatively) 1,350 minutes on the job, or 22.5 hours.
The one time I got usual half assed answer it was "That tool looks very expensive.". Well no shit it probably is, but most models show tooling to be 3-4% of job cost. An in one run of 5 pieces I am sure we would pay for the tool plus increase profit on the whole job. not mention give chap who thought of it a nice bonus.
Every single idea I come up with gets an excuse as why it is no good. Granted I am just a cog in the machine but I have managed other businesses, and have more letters after my name than the average bear. But they don't even show me the basic courtesy of sitting me down an hearing me out.
I get it, yes it worked fine for the last 20 years; but ain't 1979 any more. You keep up with latest tech or you die.
Am I a fool for even wasting my time, since I get paid whether the hole takes 5 minutes or 5 hours? I won't even get into my ideas on diversifying our shops capabilities. when I broach that subject I usually have to dodge an RPG.
I am very in interested in medicine an follow new technology closely. Now that a lot of procedures are being done with very small endoscopes an I expect to see an increase in demand for those parts. Another market we could look into (I have some contacts there as well). Incoming RPG
Any ideas? Should I just take my check and be satisfied? I really would like to see the Co. grow an me with it. I have no problem working a 40-60 hour week, but I need something in return profit sharing etc. Don't get me wrong, yes I wanna make more money, who doesn't? But I love a challenge, an currently I am not challenged and growing increasingly BORED.
Thanks for sticking with me here. One last thing and correct me if I wrong. You need to be investing new (not some used piece of garbage) equipment and employee training (I cannot even get them to sen me to continuing education.) to stay competitive. Case an point, small parts i.e.endoscope components if don't have the latest swiss lathe your already behind your closest competitor.
Thanks for listening and I look forward to your ideas.