In-house tooling manufacturing can help reduce lead times by giving manufacturers greater control over tooling, scheduling, costs and changes. For customers, that can mean fewer delays between an idea and production.
Tooling often plays a major role in a manufacturing timeline. Yet, relying on outside vendors can add another schedule to manage. When those suppliers get busy, lead times may grow. Costs can also change. Ferret understands this challenge firsthand. That is one reason the addition of Stinson Metal Works creates an exciting opportunity. By adding precision machining, tooling and CNC prototyping capabilities, Ferret can bring more control inside its own operation.
Why Can Outside Tooling Create Manufacturing Delays?
Outside tooling can become a bottleneck when suppliers face heavy workloads or extended schedules. Even a well-planned project can slow down when a key tool or component is not ready.
Ferret President Scott McMeekan has seen this challenge with outside suppliers.
Tool and die components play an important role in Ferret's precision roll forming process. However, Ferret has traditionally purchased some of those components from various vendors. That creates a dependency on another company's schedule.
Scott explains, “We find that some of the vendors we work with are having an over abundance of work. In many cases, too much work and lead times get extended.”
Cost can become another concern.
Scott also notes that “costs can outrun what was budgeted.”
Therefore, gaining more control over tooling can address two important buyer concerns at once: time and cost. Instead of simply accepting an outside supplier's schedule, Ferret can now bring more of the process closer to home.
How Can In-House Tooling Manufacturing Improve Lead Times?
In-house tooling manufacturing can shorten the communication loop between engineering, tooling and production. When the same team controls more of the process, it can respond faster when something needs attention.
Stinson Metal Works brings 22 years of machining experience to Ferret. That experience includes precision parts, CNC prototyping and wire EDM work.
Just as important, Stinson built a history around responsive customer service.
Dwight Stinson explains, “We were able to turn stuff around in very short lead times, say in the two-to-three-week range, where most companies were taking six to eight weeks.”
That difference matters.
A shorter tooling timeline can help a customer move toward production sooner. In addition, direct communication can make it easier to identify problems and make decisions.
Dwight credits part of Stinson's success to communicating directly with company owners and engineers.
Now, Ferret can combine that responsive approach with its existing roll forming operation.
The goal is not simply to own more equipment. Instead, Ferret wants greater control over the manufacturing process so it can serve customers more effectively.
What Does Greater Tooling Control Mean for Customers?
Greater tooling control can give customers more flexibility, better coordination and fewer outside handoffs. It also creates a stronger connection between the people designing the solution and those producing it.
Manufacturing rarely happens without change.
A customer may need to adjust a design. Engineering may identify an improvement. Production needs may evolve as the project moves forward.
In each case, time matters.
Scott says controlling tooling design and manufacturing is important because Ferret can better manage the process for its customers.
“Being able to control that was really important to me,” Scott says.
The Stinson capabilities also create opportunities beyond Ferret's existing roll forming work. Precision machining and CNC prototyping can help Ferret support new types of projects and customers.
For buyers, this means one manufacturing relationship may now solve more problems.
That fits directly with Ferret's mission, “The Relentless Pursuit of Service.”
Better service does not always mean adding more steps. Sometimes it means removing them.
Bring More Control to Your Next Manufacturing Project
In-house tooling manufacturing gives Ferret another way to help customers control lead times, costs and project coordination. The addition of Stinson Metal Works brings valuable machining and tooling experience directly into the Ferret operation.
For customers, the benefit is practical.
Fewer outside dependencies can mean better communication. Greater process control can help teams respond faster. Plus, expanded machining capabilities can support projects from tooling and prototypes through production.
Most importantly, Ferret continues to focus on the same goal: making manufacturing easier for its customers.
Are long tooling lead times slowing down your next project?
Bring Ferret your tooling, machining or roll forming challenge and start the conversation.