Press and Sun-Bulletin from Binghamton, New York • Page 103

ii ng-iii "if 'iiwyw ninnyi my infill ini ih imf PROGRESS 'I 'he Siinduv I'rcss Jmo P7, Binqhwnr.o'n, Cost cuts enable plant to gain edge i Jacksonville, said Standley. Total employment at the end of the year indicated an increase in excess of 200 people. For the most part, personnel replacement needs have been filled by the absorption of Engine Products Divison employees. Today the Bendix Connector Operations payroll injects over $60 million annually into the local economy. Standley said Allied is continuing to invest extensively in capital equipment at Sidney.

A major renovation and rearrangement of the entire factory is in process. This commitment to capital investment will accelerate in 1985 to include a variety of projects designed to advance plans to make the Amphenol Products Sidney facility one of the most modern, technologically innovative connector plants in the world. According to Standley, the Sidney facility has a healthy product base. "We will continue to build upon this base to position ourselves for future growth opportunities," he said. Standley explained that a major effort is being directed toward cost reductions in order to gain a competitive edge over other connector manufacturers.

"Considerable emphasis is being placed on manufacturing technology as well as complementary programs such as Statistical Process Control and computer integrated manufacturing to increase overall efficiency and excellence in all of our operations," he said. Along with an emphasis on technological improvements in production, Bendix Allen F. Standley gain in 1984, which has helped offset the loss of jobs caused by the relocation of the Bendix Engine Products Division to 15G Standley says management has signin-cantly increased its concern for employee health and safety. Four additional professionals have been assigned to the medical and safety staff. The Medical Bureau itself is currently undergoing refurbishment and expansion.

Looking to the future, Standley said he viewed the next several years as a period of unusual opportunity for Bendix Connector Operations. "Our future is challenging, yet very rewarding if we all measure up to the great expectations corporate management has for Sidney," Standley added. Amphenol Products, an Allied company, manufactures Amphenol, Bendix and Spectra-Strip connectors and other interconnection products. Plant facilities, sales offices and distributors are located worldwide. CROSSWORD WORD SLEUTH Boggle your mind.

Every day in The Evening IVcss This computer assisted measurement system helps Tichener in its quality assurance techniques Industry leader tries to stay ahead Last year was a record year for increased business and revenue for the Bendix connector Operations of Allied Ampehnol Products company. According to Allen F. Standley, who became the Sidney facility's vice president and general manager in June, the operation performance reflected an exceptional strong comeback from the low point of the recession two years ago. At that time the electronic components industry was severely impacted by the effects of worldwide recession on a scale not experienced since the early 1930s. Standley said Bendix Connector Operation's orders and sales increased substantially in 1984.

"Continued improvement is projected throughout 1985, but our rate of growth will moderate somewhat," he said. Another positive aspect for 1985 is that the operations begins the year with an increase in its backlog. Standley said the overall electrical connector market is growing, but it is extremely competitive. "The significant point is that we are growing faster than the market itself," Standley said. "This is a very healthy sign." Standley said Allied Corporation's acquisition of Bendix two years ago and the subsequent consolidation of the connector operations with Amphenol "has strengthened our international sales considerably." He said the operation's exports increased significantly in 1984 and will continue to increase in 1985.

Employment also showed a strong 4r By CARLTON J.CONRAD President Last year brought our best sales year ever in new tool orders. These are the original dies, jigs and fixtures with which we fabricate wireforms and welded wire assemblies. This all-time high in new tools makes us optimistic as we forecast sales from production orders in 1985, which we anticipate will be 8 to 10 percent above '84 levels. With this expected increase in business, we have begun to hire again. We'll be taking on both unskilled and semi-skilled personnel in '85.

During the past year, we strengthened our customer base geographically. Titchener is now making more significant sales to original equipment manufacturers in California and Puerto Rico. An interesting new product that emerged in 1984 was a vertically configured chassis for the new generation of "tower" central processing units used with desktop computer systems. The "tower" CPU makes maximum use of vertical space instead of horizontal space, and is usually located under a desk or workbench. This frees up the desktopbench work surface for paperwork and other materials convenient to the computer user.

In the "tower" CPU, one eighth-inch diameter steel wire now supports the same processing power that previously required two-inch square steel tubing. This change is testament not only to the amazing reduction in size of electronic circuitry but also to the excellent strength-to-weight ratio inherent in welded wire construction. As we head into 1985, Titchener is setting its sights on two particular growth markets. First, the market for medical surgical equipment. Here, there is tremendous cost-control pressure on the Titchener health-care industry, and the manufacturers that cater to the industry.

The door has been opened to considerable product re-design where the advantage of skeletonized metal construction (i.e. putting metal only where it's needed to perform a specific function) really makes itself felt. Second, we're targeting the telecommunications equipment market. Very strong growth is expected here in the aftermath of break-up. One phenomenon of business in the '80s, especially in the electronics market where we derive a large portion of our business, is the speed with which new products become obsolete.

Often, an electronics manufacturer finds that a product design has become outdated before it has even left the drawing board. This rapid obsolescence is both bane and boon to Titchener. We sometimes find that a customer cancels production for wire fabrications on which we have already expended considerable design and tooling resources. On the upside, however, the rapid prototyping permitted by welded wire construction is frequently the very thing on which our customer relies in order to shorten a product's time to market. Titchener's Statistical Process Control program, now in its third year, and our engineering strengths have helped us to clearly establish ourselves as the leader in the wireform market.

In this sense, we do not strive to meet the competition. Instead, it is our mission to be so far out in front of the competition that we become the model company which our competitors strive to Equipment additions increase workload -v Akraturn Manufacturing, owned by Dave and Doug Gardner, is a sub-contract precision machine shop in Kirkwood. Among the machines the company operates are Automatic Screw Machines, Computer Numerical Controlled Lathes and Machining Centers, Milling Machines, Drill Presses, Engine Lathes, and a variety of other metal working machines. The company also has precision cylindrical, centerless, and surface grinders at our subsidiary, Precision Grinding. Akraturn ships its products to many industries nationwide and internationally.

In 1984, the company achieved many objectives which successfully prepared it for the expansion: Purchased two CNC Lathes to add to the four we already had, one of which is robot loaded. The other is a 4-axis machine that has two independent turrets that simultaneously cut on the same part. Purchased two high speed Traub Screw Machines. Purchased a 16 tool automatic tool change machining center. Structured the organization to be able to effectively train people in these new areas as well as all areas of machining and management.

Akraturn Opened a subsidiary Precision Grinding on Upper Court Street. This division is responsible for high precision grinding on Akraturn's parts as well as sub-contract grinding for many local machine shops and industries. The key to success is in attitude. The companys believes a "can do" attitude coupled with a drive to do it right the first time will allow it to meet the chal-lange of 1985. Management and employees must work together as a team.

Good intra-company relations produces good morale which helps keep production high. Great-pride is taken in producing quality products that are delivered to customers on time. This is the only way the company can stay competitive. Setting goals and measuring progress toward success in achieveing them is also important. Akraturn expects to grow and learn in the months ahead.

The company is already planning to be ready for the challenge of 1986. Tools for Creative Minds Find out about your favorite newsmakers Every day in 'Hie louring Press.