Operations
The Company operates from a 16.5 acre site with three manufacturing buildings and its main office. The facilities include:1. A renovated office building
2. An 85,000 square foot manufacturing building housing aluminum die casting, machining, polishing, tool room, and other support departments
3. A new state-of-the-art 45,000 square foot aluminum die casting, machining, and polishing plant
4. A 25,000 square foot plastic injection molding plant.
The Company has 12 die casting machines ranging from 450 to 1200-tons and makes extensive use of robotics for unloading die casting machines and part trimming and polishing. Die casting machines are monitored by an on-line shot monitoring system. There exists available capacity in die casting to expand production by 80%. Machining is performed on special, part specific or general CNC machines. Polishing is robotic and manual.
The Company has an integrated ERP system with all modules functioning for manufacturing, engineering, finance, and human resources. There are over 50 terminals throughout the facilities providing on-the-floor input and data availability and internet access.
Banking is currently handled by Greenfield Commercial Credit and LaSalle Bank. Financial information is available for review.
There are 120 Company associates working in a union-free environment. A full benefit program is provided to all associates.
The Company enjoys an excellent reputation for high quality and on-time delivery and is TS 16949 Registered. Lean manufacturing is practiced throughout as evidenced by orderly work places, documented procedures, data posted and used in all manufacturing and office areas, ongoing training programs for all associates, etc.
Top Four Customers:
Knoll, Inc. Office furniture components
Humanscale Office furniture components painted and bright buffed
Magna Car Top Systems Convertible and retractable hardtop components (Corvette and Cadillac)
ASC, Inc. Convertible top components (Toyota)
Product is exported to New Zealand, Ireland, and Italy for furniture industry customers.
Great Lakes’ competitiveness in the market comes from high quality and good deliveries of cosmetically critical components. For these components we find ourselves price competitive.