Blog

TCI Automation-Ready Blanks In today’s competitive manufacturing environment, automation is a critical lever for increasing productivity and reducing costs. But automation alone doesn’t guarantee success—consistency does. At TCI Precision Metals, our materials experts work hand-in-hand with shop floor managers to develop tailored materials strategies that ensure automation runs smoothly from the start. A successful materials […]

The following is an overview of what AI says are the biggest issues facing manufacturers today. Do You Agree? The biggest issues facing manufacturing today include persistent labor shortages and a widening skills gap, along with supply chain disruptions and the complexities of digital transformation and cybersecurity. Key Challenges in Manufacturing: Skilled Labor Shortage: A […]

A secret sauce isn’t just for cooking; it’s an essential ingredient for any process-based business, including manufacturing. Every successful shop has one, and it’s crucial to identify and maximize it as your point of difference. In today’s highly competitive manufacturing landscape, knowing what sets you apart and nurturing that advantage is key to sustained success. […]

Let me start by saying thank you; every one of us at TCI Precision Metals appreciates you. To our customers, thank you for trusting us with your business; for those who have not yet worked with us directly, thank you for following us and for considering us when you have a need. Every day is […]

Based on a recent plan to buy survey for 2025 conducted among job shops and OEM manufacturers, the following were selected among the top reasons to invest in new technology and equipment: Improve productivity and efficiency Reduce costs Increase capacity Improve quality These investment objectives may be attainable by adding more costly equipment to an […]

Did You Feel it? I did; there was an air of optimism at IMTS. We exhibited at this year’s IMTS show with low expectations following more than two years of contraction in the metalworking industry. Would customers come, and if they did, would they be in a buying frame of mind or just want to […]

Don’t Get Caught Flat-Footed A company’s success in a booming market is often related to what it did during the down market. "Stay on your toes" is a good sports analogy that is timely given the recently completed Olympics. This idea of staying agile applies to most sports and is highly applicable to today’s business […]

In other words, focus on your core competencies and avoid processes outside your expertise. Would you reduce bottlenecks and shorten manufacturing lead times? Would you improve overall quality? Would you realize better resource utilization, including equipment and employees? When it comes to CNC machining operations, sticking to your knitting involves concentrating on the high-value finish […]

Customer Service Always do the right thing. Service touches every aspect of doing business, and with its far-reaching influence, there can be a lot to unpack about the subject.  At TCI Precision Metals, we have many service initiatives in place. Still, to ensure there are no misunderstandings of intent, every employee is empowered to do […]

It’s Tough to be in Business Without it. Efficiency is one of the most essential attributes businesses aspire to today. Nowhere is this more the case than in metalworking. The concept is applied to lean strategies, Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE), and almost every other aspect of manufacturing that requires effort. The concept of efficiency applies […]