180 | Business World Magazine |
May 2013
in size. Press capabilities include Hydraulic
Presses (1500 and 2500Tons), Mechani-
cal Press (1300T), and Cold Trim Presses
(150T, 75T, 60T). The company addition-
ally offers partial or full machining services.
Yet, in all cases, Consolidated is com-
mitted to continuous improvement consis-
tent with the standards of lean manufactur-
ing principals, standards which complement
their expertise with efficiency that adds an-
other benefit to its customers. According to
Vice President of Operations Drew Papio,
the company has reinvested significantly
in the plant throughout the last decade to
achieve current capabilities and efficiencies,
yet those functions are on the verge of fur-
ther evolution. Papio indicates that Consol-
idated is preparing to launch a major plant
upgrade which will see several millions of
dollars invested in new, state-of-the-art forg-
ing and material-handling equipment.
Strategies to build upon the benefits
they provide to customers are also integral
to operations at Consolidated, especially
now, as sequestration factors combined with
existing defense budget cuts are anticipated
to prompt some weakness in second quarter
earnings. Briggs indicates that Consolidated
had anticipated the spending cuts sufficient-
ly prior to current factors, and says the com-
