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Mark Stairs of Craig Manufacturing Ltd.

Interview with a Heavy Equipment Industry Customer

Mark Stairs, Engineering Supervisor, Craig Manufacturing Ltd.

About Mark Stairs

Mark is the Engineering Supervisor at Craig Manufacturing Ltd., a manufacturer of attachments for heavy equipment based in Hartland, New Brunswick

Q: Tell me about your company's business and industry position.

A: Our business is the Manufacturing of attachments for the heavy equipment industry

What CAD system did you use before implementing SolidWorks?

CADKEY

What were the primary business challenges and technical requirements that led your company to evaluate SolidWorks?

The main drivers were threefold; 3D capability and ability to assign properties to each piece, integrate CAD system and inventory control system, attractiveness of parametric design.

Did you evaluate any other CAD systems? Which ones?

Initially, we were going to evaluate other CAD systems, but after Javelin’s impressive, professional presentation and presence, there was no reason to look any further. They were very knowledgeable and professional.

Why did your company choose SolidWorks?

For us it was a combination of a good product and good service.

Were there one or two product features and related benefits that were most important in your decision to purchase SolidWorks?

Let’s see, one or two that I can recall…initially we were attracted to DriveWorks, but didn’t take advantage of it. Definitely parametric design capability.

What version of SolidWorks do you have?

SolidWorks Professional. We’re looking at buying a seat of SolidWorks Premium down the road.

How many licenses do you have?

Nine.

Do you think that SolidWorks technology is innovative? If so, how? Can you provide any examples of capabilities or functions that you would consider especially innovative?

I’m the supervisor, so I don’t spend a lot of time with the product. Hang on a minute I’ll get Allan O’Brien, who works with the product. He would be better able to address the question. A.O’B: “I would say the product is “intuitive”, Microsoft likes to use that terminology these days and it definitely applies to SolidWorks. Also, the product is user friendly."

Do you have SolidWorks Simulation? SolidWorks PDM? SolidWorks eDrawings? If so, how does each benefit your product development process.

SolidWorks PDM – We benefit from the ability to store information from SolidWorks PDM directly into our inventory control system (MRP).
SolidWorks eDrawings – We haven’t used it yet, but not having to create part drawings would definitely be a benefit. Basically, we just have to open a web interface that our customers can use. The challenge for us is… getting around the older generation’s mindset and moving them into the electronic age. I don’t want to offend anyone by that comment, but it’s a challenge for us.

How much has SolidWorks reduced your product design process, for example, “from four months to three weeks,” or “50%.”

I would say between 25-50%.

How much money you have saved in your product development process with SolidWorks on a particular project or as an overall by percentage? Are you savings related to producing fewer prototypes or less scrap and rework.

We are a custom shop so this is difficult to say. Also, we haven’t realized the true benefit of SolidWorks yet because we’ve not yet experienced a full cycle with the product yet. We’ve only used it for one season. Having said that, I expect to tell you in one year’s time that we have realized a 30% cost reduction related to the product development process thanks to SolidWorks.

How have SolidWorks design capabilities improved the quality of your products? Have you been able to reduce the number of design errors, and if so, by how much?

SolidWorks design capabilities have allowed us to see plate interferences before they happen. I have to say, it has spoiled our fitters by cutting down on grinding and welding required. 2D wouldn’t allow you to see what you can in 3D. Also, you can actually see through the design.

Have product innovations enabled by SolidWorks increased your company’s market share or gross sales? If so, could you indicate or estimate the increases?

This is really not applicable. It’s been a down year in our economy. However, having SolidWorks has enabled us to have products that are parametrically designed. Because of this, product turn-around is faster and we can then anticipate that sales will increase.

What does it take to compete effectively in your industry? What are some of the challenges involved in maintaining your market position? How does SolidWorks impact your competitiveness?

This sector is delivery sensitive. They want low cost product and quick turn-around. SolidWorks helps us meet these expectations and we anticipate that SolidWorks Simulation will do so as well.

Was the transition to SolidWorks smooth? (If moving from 2D to 3D) Were there any capabilities in SolidWorks such as file translation and other built-in tools for preserving and reusing legacy 2D data?

We went “cold turkey.” There was a little bit of a bump in the road, but the transition was fairly smooth. The seminars were quite informative and we’re learning something new everyday. It’s definitely as asset to be able to bring in 2D data.

Did Javelin make a significant contribution in terms of training, support and implementation services?

Yes, Javelin is a very professional company. They did make a significant contribution, but that’s the service we’re paying for. Training seminars were informative. I would say Javelin went beyond the call of duty.

What’s different about Javelin as a company from other companies in the CAD marketplace?

Javelin took it upon themselves to totally understand us; what we do and how we do it, even before they got in the door. I was taken by how much 'up front' time they took. They were/are really interested in 'us' even after the purchase is made. Someone obviously oversees this and makes sure there is that level of professionalism. From what I’ve seen, it’s a STANDARD within that company. It has to come from the top down. They have a presence like none other. I have not experienced this with any other supplier that I’ve come across. It’s a combination of professionalism and presence. Javelin is willing to work with you and also take suggestions from you.
Suffice to say that Craig Manufacturing is as impressed with Javelin as we are with SolidWorks. More than likely, we could have found a comparable product, but the combination of a good product backed by this level and quality of service sold us. Within our own company, I’m aspiring to implement Javelin’s STANDARD level of service, presence and professionalism.

How does SolidWorks help your engineers design better products?

Being able to integrate with our inventory control system, allows us to spend more time on design and less time on data entry.

 

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