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| Photos from TriMark's Booth at the bauma Event |
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| TriMark's New Production
Facility Will Continue to Grow as OEMs in China See TriMark
as a Production Partner New Hampton, Iowa (January, 2009) TriMark Corporation officially announced the full operation of their new design and manufacturing facility in Xuzhou, China at the recent bauma China Trade Fair in Shanghai, China. TriMark made this substantial commitment to better serve the growing China domestic markets. As the boom in the construction industry continues, with China and East Asia still experiencing double digit growth in the construction machinery sectors, China is expected to continue to have excellent prospects for the future. The bauma event was held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) from November 25 - 28, and is the most important trade fair for the construction and building-materials industries in Asia. "In January 2007 TriMark selected the Xuzhou Economic Development Zone as the site for our China operation after having visited twelve potential development areas," said Ronald Priestley, General Manager of TriMark Xuzhou. "Essentially, Xuzhou is the best, most suitable location for TriMark to be established in China and we are very pleased with the investment we have made. Xuzhou offers TriMark a unique location close to our current customers, with a high concentration of potential customers also within a short distance. Additionally, transportation is made easier by the favorable location of modern roads, railway, and a local customs station. Even though these were critical factors in choosing Xuzhou, the final determining factor was the friendly and skilled people." Mr. Priestley continued, emphasizing that "Moving forward, TriMark Xuzhou is rapidly expanding and in the near future we hope to employ as many as thirty (30) people in manufacturing, as well as an additional ten (10) engineers to better serve the expanding China market. In terms of technological innovation, TriMark brings the same global standards of door system hardware to China as we have in the U.S. and Europe, including QTM (Quick Turn Manufacturing)." Recognizing that in today's modern world speed is of the essence, QTM focuses on getting products into customer hands 8 – 10 times faster than traditional methods. This enables TriMark to better serve customers in China and all over the world. The basis of QTM zeros in on prototype, pre-production and initial production parts. At TriMark there are three major areas for QTM: stamped, die cast and plastic injection molded parts make up the vast majority of manufactured content in TriMark's products. Nearly every project that moves through TriMark has a stamped component. With this in mind a team has been working on defining, measuring, and exploring methods of Quick Turn Manufacturing stamped components. The findings of the team have led TriMark into the world of laser cutting and brake press forming capabilities. Laser cutting has made significant advancements in cutting speed and accuracy over the last ten years. Computers are now fast enough and powerful enough to provide the control of a laser that provides capability rivaling a stamping operation. The flexibility of a laser and lack of money tied up in tooling, not to mention time, make it an attractive solution to producing QTM parts for TriMark. Ric Marzolf, TriMark Vice President of Research & Development (R & D), emphasized "The first impression one has of a piece of machinery is the door system and its operation, because it is human nature to touch the door first. TriMark Corporation has spent more than thirty-five years developing door systems that make the best first impressions. Quick Turn Manufacturing will also bring us closer to satisfying our valued customer's needs to ‘sell more of the right products faster.' As business speeds up its demands, TriMark is investing in the technology and developing the processes that keep our customers, both in China and abroad, coming back for the best solutions to their door hardware needs." There are many real life examples of cooperation between TriMark's United States and China team. Valued customers often have design changes at the last minute. Caterpillar found itself in this very situation. TriMark's engineering team assessed Caterpillar's needs and made changes to the models. Changes to the drawings were assigned to the team in Xuzhou and, the next day, production drawings were ready to go. Part models had already been furnished to manufacturing, where the new parts were already in the process of being built. Components were built and verified, product assembled and new parts were on their way to Caterpillar for installation. Total time taken due to close cooperation and teamwork between the TriMark Xuzhou and US based team: two days. TriMark Corporation is an employee-owned company and is a recognized leader in the design and manufacture of quality hardware products for the recreational vehicle, agricultural, truck, construction, and enclosure markets. The TriMark corporate headquarters is located in New Hampton, Iowa, USA. TriMark serves the China market through TriMark Xuzhou and the European market through its subsidiary, TriMark Europe Ltd, based at Bardon Hill, near Coalville, Leicester. TriMark has been a valued partner supplier to Caterpillar for more than 30 years, in addition to other global customers, including John Deere, Volvo, PACCAR, AGCO, Case New Holland, and Winnebago, who provide world class vehicles and equipment. For More Information Contact: Jo Vaala Corporate Communications Coordinator TriMark Corporation 1-800-447-0343 Rich Collins President The Bearings Group 1-515-270-4909 |
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