Midland Machinery Co. Inc.

Reducing Manufacturing Costs

Midland Machinery Co. Inc. had a strong product in its popular SP-6 Self-Propelled Road Widener. Company leaders enhanced it further by improving its features and controlling production costs with the assistance of The Center for Industrial Effectiveness (TCIE), the regional administrator for New York’s SPIR (Strategic Partnership for Industrial Resurgence) grant.

The TCIE project team completed an extensive value engineering assessment and design review for manufacturability, identifying improved design features, cost-saving measures, and part procurement and assembly strategies.

Ultimately, Midland achieved a 5 to 8 percent reduction in manufacturing costs. The design process was transferred from 2D to 3D CAD, and supplemental training was provided on the use of modeling and design software packages.

"We've reduced costs to manufacture and maintained our competitive position in the market, as recent sales attest,” says Barre Banks, Midland’s president. “We were particularly impressed by the skills of the team. They were state-of-the-art."

TCIE works with approximately 30 companies each year to assist with project costs. Benefits include upgrading or introducing new technology and addressing challenges of product development and testing.

Learn more about SPIR administered through TCIE.