All over the country, there are pockets of manufacturing still alive and well even during this pandemic. I have had a hard time when I was looking for a metal machining service that could help out my family's tailoring business.
See, we suddenly became a bit of frontliners ourselves, making PPes such as suits, gloves, and masks. It was a love labour for our country and our fellow Singaporeans but to do that we kind of needed a COVID-19 protective facility too.
I am aware that not all machine shops are created equal. Many buyers and sourcing personnel focus too much on price without considering the big picture. Quality, delivery, and cost are all important and to achieve them the makeup of the business matters greatly.
Just like when choosing any type of service, I needed to make sure that the company I select a company to bring our concept to life is professional, reputable, and can deliver. Aside from these qualities, other factors are of equal importance. Fortunately, I came across Continental Engineering that helped us create the metal framing of our facility. Here are the great things about their service.
They are financially stable
If I've heard it once I've heard it a thousand times. Machine shops are notorious for sacrificing their margin to get a job. When they get the job, they can finally pay the bills this month. This business strategy is not only unhealthy for a precision machining service in Singapore, but also for the customer like me. But Continental Engineering is not that supplier that is barely keeping their head above water. In the long run, I know it will prove detrimental for our partnership.
Their machine technology
Metal machining services spend millions of money every year to help in our quest to decrease cycle time and setup of our needs. Machines today are more efficient, easier to operate and host a wide variety of features not seen in years past. Good large scale machining will have a great selection of very capable machines. They will invest and reinvest year over year to ensure their technology meets the needs of the customer. There are more than enough resources in the world for a good shop to get educated on what to purchase for their factory. Continental Engineering is a shop with great tools and capability is certainly an indicator that I've found an experienced supplier.
Their manufacturing systems
Taking a piece of metal and turning it into usable parts is no easy task. It must go through sourcing, engineering, programming, machining, inspection and shipping. It is critical that the service has a robust system to handle the daily workflow of parts. A good manufacturing system will help the machining service to optimise flow of parts and pass the result onto the customer. It seems like common sense, but there are many shops out there with a homegrown system or hodgepodge way of doing things that is simply not consistent with smart manufacturing practices.
They have a skilled team
Having a skilled team to operate the precision machining service is absolutely crucial to success. The skill level of these employees are typically higher than their low complexity counterparts due to the nature of the work required. This includes most of the above such as being able to do quick setups, getting parts through inspection and understanding the system. Continental Engineering's operators and engineers brilliantly work together to ensure the flow is proper and that no time is wasted.
They are customer-diverse
Like it or not, other large scale machining services in Singapore paint themselves into a corner with one large customer that takes precedence over all others. However, Continental Engineering spread their reach across multiple industries and customers like a lowkey daughter of a tailor. This keeps them strong when times are tough or when customers jump ship. I was really impressed that Continental Engineering does not really stop at big businesses that need their great metal machining services.
All in All
After a matter of almost seven days, Continental Engineering and their skilled operators and engineers, professionally managed my family’s official tailoring facility. Not only did they assemble it but they also provided us with the big guns for packaging and boxing of the PPEs. It was also heart warming that they acknowledge my family’s fuel to help our country and frontliners. I honestly felt as if this was not a business but instead a humane compassion to battle this pandemic, COVID-19. Continental Engineering engineers were amazing human beings and professionals and I think I would like to keep them as my preferred service even after this.
So, take it from me, just a humble woman helping out her family business. I highly recommend Continental Engineering for any machining service needs you may have.
