Contract Manufacturing Profile
But they also found that more expensive, high-tech machines have helped them keep up with demand, which has been challenging given their consistent and high level of growth. Woloshun said R&J almost lost a big defense
they are carefully exploring their next piece of advanced man- ufacturing technology to purchase. The acquisition of these three pieces of machinery has separated R&J from the other shops their size. “Our growth is directly tied to the advanced machines we have purchased from Methods.” The difference between Methods and other distributors is how their team re- ally supports you after the sale. Their highly trained staff from their sales reps and technicians to their installers and office personnel really supports you 100%.
Buying the EDM has given them the ability to move parts from milling machines and run lights-out production while holding tighter tolerances.
An AR15 rifle component manufactured by R&J.
customer because they were so strained to keep up with demand at one point. “We literally had several different types of machines working nearly around the clock just to meet demand,” he said. The different machines produced the parts at different paces, and Woloshun said they simply knew they had to make a change.
“The Swiss machine turned a four operation part into one operation with superior quality.”
That’s when they met Michael Maldonado, a Product Specialist at Methods Machine Tools. He advised them to buy a Citizen Swiss CNC turning machine in 2011, which helped them produce the part more efficiently and accurately. Maldo- nado became R&J’s biggest advocate as they began to secure financing. It was Maldonado’s vision and belief in R&J’s ability that allowed Jones and Woloshun to be able to meet the grow- ing demands of their customers. “We would have lost our biggest customer if we didn’t purchase the Swiss machine,” Woloshun explained. “The Swiss machine turned a four operation part into one operation with superior quality.” Now, he said, “Business has grown even more.” Today, the company has two Citizen L20 IX, a FANUC RO- BOCUT C600 wire-cut electric discharge machine (EDM) and
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Jones added that “mills and lathes don’t cut it anymore,” and he noted that the quality of the work they are receiving since investing in higher tech machinery has also improved. At the moment, R&J has two Swiss machines, an EDM, a 50 watt laser engraving machine, four CNC mills, and a CNC lathe along with a host of other support equipment for tooling. They have nine employees, but they struggle to keep up and find qualified workers. “Right now, we’re just trying to meet the demands of our current customers and planning for the addition of new ones.”
A shaft, aircraft installation tool manufactured by R&J.
One of the biggest challenges R&J has in the immediate future is managing and controlling its growth, as well as find- ing qualified help.
Like many shops, Jones and Woloshun are so busy run- ning the shop that they don’t have as much time as they would like to seek out new customers. “You don’t realize how many hours it will take to administer a startup,” Jones said. ME
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