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Precision: 4 Benefits of Using a Local CNC Manufacturing Partner

With the supply-chain capabilities offered to manufacturers these days, this is often one of the hardest questions to answer: with so many nationwide and global options available, is it worth your while to partner with a local CNC machining company? 

A Resounding ‘YES’

Quite frankly, the answer to this question is actually the biggest reason why Montclair Bronze only offers CNC and foundry services to local clients that are based in the San Bernardino, CA region. It is the BEST solution by far, which keeps some of the most common logistical manufacturing problems from ever cropping up in the first place. Simply but, our answer to this question is a resounding ‘yes’.

Here are 4 huge benefits of using a local foundry and CNC manufacturing partner in your supply-chain. Also we’ll be discussing the specifics on how a local CNC company can keep those logistical issues from stopping your company from meeting its production demands.

#4 – A Specialized CNC Milling Company Offers Power and Precision

To start us off, one of the biggest logistical issues that smaller (but growing) manufacturers often face is that they have to decide on just how much funding they’re willing to put into their own production capabilities. For one, outright purchasing a commercial-grade CNC machine for inhouse manufacturing is usually a major possibility -and for good reason: it’s a massively powerful, numerically precise piece of equipment that offers incredible flexibility and automation potential.

With that said, in order to obtain these noteworthy capabilities, that’s going to require a massive startup investment of $35k to $500k. Of course, on the low-dollar end, that’s only going to buy the bare bones minimum that a CNC mill can offer; and most will agree that it’s best for startups to lease (instead of purchasing outright). If anything, it’s best to invest in a local CNC manufacturing partner with these capabilities already in place, so your company doesn’t have to squeeze elsewhere in order to offset the burden of its own investment.

#3 – Technology Leverages Time and Efficiency

Going with a local CNC partner will enable your company to maximize on the technological potential that their milling center already offers. The return on investment makes sense in this case, simply because you should have the ability to change or increase product output -but your design maneuverability will be limited if you’re already highly invested in a starter CNC machine (not to mention, the trained and skilled personnel for operating it).

However, if you use a local commercial-grade CNC machine partner, then you’d be able to shift the far greater portion of your company’s funding power into the design and the quality of the product itself.  The reason for this is because a good CNC partner will offer a far more efficient production solution due to the nature of its own beast. According to Larry Carley of Engine Builder:

Accuracy, repeatability and an overall improvement in consistency and quality are additional benefits that CNC can provide. With a

multi-purpose CNC machining center, there’s no need to move a work piece from one machine to another to complete different tasks.

This solution, however, requires a full blown milling center with a vast array of capabilities; but what you get in return is a partner that can offer highly knowledgeable design feedback. Your partner should know exactly what their commercial-grade CNC machine center can do in order to benefit your company over the long haul.

#2 – Deliveries Are Faster (and More Predictable)

Not only will you be able to maximize on your product quality, consistency, and overall production efficiency -but you can also rest assured that going with a LOCAL partner will offer regularly-occurring, business day deliveries- and that those deliveries will be predictable and routine.  Manufacturing processes depend on timing, and if you’re depending on a steady flow of orders from a CNC manufacturing partner from 200 miles away; then it doesn’t take much for failures in the supply-chain to surface.

Also, you’ll end up including yet another player into the process: a delivery company that will add another set of costs to what you’re already paying for. And because of the fluctuating cost of diesel, that further increases unpredictability.

When you use a local CNC machine partner, however, it’s basically like having your own milling center within a short drive from your production facility. You won’t have to wait an extra week for your recurring lot of 1,000 propellers, simply because your order went to the wrong client (that just so happened to be located a thousand miles away). When we remove those problematic variables, then your company has less risk to account for.

And that’s the sound of music to the ears of investors.

#1 – Customer Service On Demand

Overall, the biggest reason why it’s best to stick with a local CNC manufacturing partner is because you get the uncommon benefit of routine face-to-face customer service. From the design aspect, your expectations can be communicated more effectively when you can sit down with your partner and discuss solutions together. In terms of manufacture and delivery, you won’t have to wait for a representative to call you back if something changes.

When your company’s CNC manufacturing partner is so close enough to pass by their facility on the way home from the office every evening, you’ll simply never have to wonder if your customer accounts rep is ignoring your calls.

So, if you’re one of our partners in the San Bernardino region of California, and you happen to be on your way home after reading this -then stop by and see how things are coming along.

We’ll brew an extra pot of coffee while you’re on your way over.