MAGNUM SYSTEMS: DESIGNED-TO-CUSTOMIZE

"Know what your customers want most and what your company does best.
Focus on where those two meet."

- Kevin Stirtz

I read an interesting article the other day, “Made To Order: Serving Up Machines That Aren’t On The Menu” in the Fall 2015 issue of Packaging & Process OEM. The article by Matt Reynolds was very well written and discussed the differentiation of companies classified as engineered-to-order (ETO), companies classified as build-to-stock (BTS) and all those that fall somewhere in between.

The article points out an essential key to success for companies who identify themselves as ETO is a strong database of previous jobs. The database should demonstrate a proven track record of success in a “one off” world and provides an opportunity for repeat “customizations” to provide a more profitable offering while respecting the budget constraints of each end user.

On the other hand, BTS companies need to recognize and retain customers or industries where off-the-shelf solutions can still meet the needs of their partners in an ever increasing customization world.

What is unique about Magnum Systems, is our approach from both business units (Taylor Products and Smoot Company) to focus on the customer experience and provide the right solution for each application while maintaining consistency in ready-to-go applications. We accomplish this through balance.

Our test labs, technicians and engineering capabilities allow us to service a client as an ETO organization would, but our history in the bag/container filling and pneumatic conveying industries provide us the luxury of maintaining time-proven solutions to fit many “unique” applications in a timely manner as a BTS would.

Our approach is designed-to-customize (DTC). The proven technology of our standard pneumatic conveying system components and bag filling equipment are continuously analyzed and tested at our Parsons, KS and Kansas City, KS facilities with an emphasis on designed flexibility.

During witnessed visits our experts don’t demonstrate how to fit your needs into a cookie cutter solution. We want to know your pneumatic conveying and/or bag filling rates, product characteristics, environment, container size and type to determine a base direction to begin our testing. We ask questions regarding your expectations, plant requirements and future plans to research like-applications for possible solutions to conditional needs we should consider. Then, once the testing begins, we continue to partner with you to determine the best customizations to enhance your experience. Whether it is flexibility for future products, container change-overs, preparing for automation options, solving unique flow characteristics of your proprietary blend or special finishes to meet environmental conditions, our equipment offerings are designed for a multitude of customized features. How does this approach provide a better solution for you? Because of our experience and years in the industry, many of the “customized” features have been in-field operational so we can prove out the reliability of our solution, provide a cost effective alternative and sustain industry best lead times.

In addition to solutions we discover through product testing requests, Magnum Systems doesn’t wait for an immediate need to find a better way to serve our customers as many ETO companies do. Our experts are always looking to upgrade our BTS base whether it is a better clamp, a more efficient drive, or by introducing complete new technologies. The added benefit of this continuous improvement process is the dedication to test new advances before they hit the market, institute cost efficient production when the application fits and provide the opportunity to fail before our customer’s precious product and time is on the line. Many of our advances seem small when it comes to flashy marketability, but looms large when utilized in an end user’s process to increase reliability, serviceability or efficiency.

It’s true, Magnum Systems has a lot of “Serial Number One” solutions…but we also have many “Serial Number One Thousand”.

If you are looking for a balance between personalized experience and proven solutions, contact Magnum Systems to schedule a time in one of our test labs.

Magnum Systems…Concept to Completion.

Submitted By: Travis R. Wallace