Primarily due to the implementation of lean principles, Pier has been able to double the output it produces on one shift.


Youth Gains Experience As the recession hit, Pier con-


tinued forward with its investment and modernization plan, focusing on sales and marketing. “Te strategy saw early successes. It was a busy year for us [in 2009]. We built 230 new tools and gained 30 new customers,” Grilz said. “Tat was pretty aggressive, and it really started with sales and marketing.” In the last year, Pier was high- lighted in a local news piece about manufacturing businesses surviving and thriving during the recession, reached several news outlets when it joined four other metalcasting facili- ties on an initiative to go green, and received publicity for winning honor- able mention in the annual Metal Casting Design & Purchasing/AFS Casting of the Year competition. Pier also launched a redesigned website in January 2010. As a result of its efforts, Pier realized


record sales in 2010 and has planned for a 20% increase in sales for 2011. As part of its growth strategy, the company keeps its customer and market mix diverse. Its biggest customer represents less than 10% of its total sales, and it has more than 200 active customers. And to ensure Pier continues to


grow, the company plans to continue to improve. “[We’ve initiated] a big culture


change,” Grilz said. “We have been little known. But we’re now starting to become a staple in the industry.”


ONLINE RESOURCE


Visit www.moderncasting.com for more pictures of Pier Foundry & Pattern Shop.


28 | MODERN CASTING March 2011


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