How to Ride the Ramp-Up

With vaccinations well underway, the world around us is starting to look quite different than it was during lockdowns. I think it's safe to say that most manufacturers are making plans to ramp up production in anticipation of a strong market. We at Okuma have been planning as well, to ensure we’re prepared to serve our customers’ needs throughout the important transition phase ahead.

I think everyone believes the future is bright. The big question is, is it going to be a quick ramp-up, or a slow, steady improvement? Regardless of which way this goes, there are key issues shops need to be aware of as production pressures increase. Here I cover just a few considerations that I envision will be critical to pay attention to as we all ride the ramp-up.

Fix Your Glitches

Some shops may have had machines sitting idle during the past year. While it’s exciting to get those money-makers back in production, be aware that when you fire up machines that have been sitting idle for a long time, there’s a tendency for new problems to arise with the electronics, hydraulics, pneumatics, or other key components. Understand ahead of time that there are often surprises when you start these machines, and take action early to proactively identify and fix these glitches.

Solve Known Issues

Along similar lines, perhaps a shop has a machine they’ve been running for a long time that they know has a problem, but they've been kicking that can down the road and not dealing with it until absolutely necessary. Now is the perfect time to take care of these type of issues, because once things get ramped up and really going, you won’t be able to afford any downtime. Realistically, that machine concern might hurt a lot more in two months than it would right now, so I recommend cleaning up any nagging issues or maintenance items.

Lead Times Will Lengthen

For many months now, business has been down for almost everyone. When it comes to machine tool builders, folks have come to expect that yes, we have inventory. In some cases, a sense of complacency has set in and there’s no urgency for planning because there’s a belief that inventory is at-the-ready. However, regardless of whether things pick up slowly or quickly, that window of easy availability is going to be pretty quick. You may see a scenario where this month you can have your pick of the litter, but next month you may have to compromise, or you may have to live with an unexpected factory lead time. Many who think they’re ahead of the curve by two months may be surprised to discover they have to live with a six-month lead time, which could put them behind schedule just when things are getting busy again.

“Make-It-or-Break-It” Time

During this ramp-up season, hints of optimism will quickly be followed by growing confidence. This will come from seeing businesses grow all around us. I think we should all be aware that it’s make-it-or-break-it time right now. Anyone who misses a beat as things start to open up is going to set up a disadvantage that will be harder and harder to catch up with.

START YOUR PLANNING PROCESS EARLY

All of this means that waiting too long can be costly. What’s the best way to be prepared to strike at just the right moment? Start the planning process early. The earlier we can have discussions, the better off for budget planning, meeting delivery expectations, and creating the most effective solutions possible. Take the time while you have the time.

IS IT TIME FOR A LUNCH DATE?

We realize people are sometimes hesitant to reach out to their builders, anticipating high-pressure sales tactics. But if, as I mentioned in my last article (What to Look for in a Machine Tool Salesperson) you have a relationship with someone you can trust to be your advocate, your confidant, and a trusted advisor, I encourage you to reach out to them now to catch up and have a friendly conversation. At Okuma, we’re ready for an informal get-together when you are, either in-person or virtually (one of my virtual lunch meetings is shown in the top photo). Let’s grab a quick bite or a coffee and talk about how we can create a path toward your most successful future.

About Tim Thiessen
Tim Thiessen is Vice President Sales and Marketing, Okuma America Corporation.
Connect with Tim on LinkedIn.