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“That is part of the return on investment for some of the automation that we do,” said Menninger. Automation makes sense to Menninger because it means being able to meet that schedule each and every time. Being able to get a project out in three days, without having to return to the shop two or three times to refabricate a part, does the most for his client base, said Menninger.
Ultimately, Menninger said most good investments pay for themselves within 24 months, but one intangible is the ability to sleep better at night that comes from knowing the chance of human error throughout the system has been minimized.
Maintenance
Menninger also puts a lot of importance on maintenance—so much so that he has a full time mechanic on staff. To Menninger, preventive maintenance is as important as anything that is done in the shop to ensure customer satisfaction. The machines need to run in order for him to fulfill his commitments.
One piece of equipment that is carefully maintained is the waterjet. Although the cost of abrasives used for cutting is sizable, Menninger said the cost of maintenance is nothing to scoff at. The seals, orifices, mixing tubes and all of the parts that go into maintaining the high pressure system are just as expensive as the abrasives, he said.
“When the machines don’t run, you’re not going to make your commitments,” said Menninger. Though regularly maintaining the machines is ideal to run the shop, he also has alternative paths for most of the work done in the shop. The saws are a backup to the jet, and with multiple CNC’s and edgers, the shop has multiple ways of creating countertops.
“Preventive maintenance, whether it’s an install vehicle or hydraulic fluid in one of the machines, must be a high priority,” he continued. “You need to take care of these machines in order to provide the reliability that you are counting on to run your business properly.”
While properly maintained automated equipment is the self-explained key to his success in the industry, Menninger still believes you need the right people with the correct training to really have a chance in the industry. “In order to successfully deploy the automation, you still have to deal with the ins and outs of the training of people,” explained Menninger. “You can’t ever lose sight of the fact that the machines are going to do what you tell them. If you don’t tell them what to do, they’re going do something wrong.”
For more information, contact Capitol Granite and Marble, 1700 Oak Lake Blvd., Midlothian, VA 23112; 804-379-2641; pmenninger@capitolgranite.net; www.capitolgraniteandmarble.net.
Kevin Cole, editor, can be reached at editor@surfacefabrication.com and Marci Presser, assistant editor, can be reached at marci@surfacefabrication.com.
