Modern Machine Shop

AUG 2013 TOP SHOPS

Modern Machine Shop is focused on all aspects of metalworking technology - Providing the new product technologies; process solutions; supplier listings; business management; networking; and event information that companies need to be competitive.

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feature Top ShopS' Secrets to Success What does it take to run an effective, proftable machining business? 2013 Top Shops benchmarking data sheds light. By Derek korn he goal of our Top Shops benchmarking program is to identify optimal shopfloor practices as well as operational and business metrics that define world-class competitiveness in discrete parts manufacturing. It enables companies ranging from mom-and-pop shops to large, captive operations to compare their performance against North America's leading machining businesses and consider what changes they might make to emulate those top performers. Not only does the benchmarking data serve as a baseline "report card" of sorts, but it eliminates the need to rely on gut feelings as a fundamental method of identif ying and prioritizing improvement efforts. This year, more than 450 shop principals participated in our third annual Top Shops benchmarking survey. Their companies s e r ve a d i ve r s e r a n g e of i n d u s t r i e s with the highest percentages supplying aerospace, machiner y manufacturing, automotive, medical and military custome r s. O n e -f i f th of th e bu s in e s se s a re captive operations; the rest are job shops T and contract shops. As with our previous two surveys, the 2013 edition was divided into four main categories: machining equipment, shopfloor practices, business strategies and human resources. This article analyzes key findings in these areas by comparing responses from the Top Shops benchmarking group to other shops that participated in the survey. (The benchmarking group is a pool of shops identified as the best per formers by totaling the points assigned to certain business- and technology-related sur vey questions.) This article also profiles a few companies that were particularly effective in each survey categor y—this year's Honors Program winners. We provide data for all survey questions in our 2013 Top Shops Executive Summary, which also can be accessed at our Top Shops Zone. That Zone includes survey analysis articles, videos and profiles of this year's four Honors Program winners. Now, let's review some of the highlights from this year's survey. mmsonline.com/topshops August 2013 MMS 9

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