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8 MoldMaking Technology —— JANUARY 2016 Profle Metro Mold says its team brings unique perspective to all aspects of manu- facturing, providing diverse experiences and competencies needed to handle projects other shops might consider impossible. Images courtesy of Metro Mold & Design. Metro Mold & Design operates four facilities totalling 253,000 square feet that are equipped with the latest machinery and equipment, including custom processes, complex automation and assembly. Metro Mold Redefines Role of Supply Chain Partner By Cynthia Kustush Leadership, company culture, diversity of experiences, always seeking out that next business opportunity. These are the characteristics that define the focus of Metro Mold & Design of Rogers, Minnesota. From humble beginnings in moldmak- ing in 1973 to the well-diversified and successful full-service manufacturer it is today, the company has undergone a transformation that, according to newly appointed CEO Greg Heinemann, is the result of both organic growth fueled by the desire to continue into new markets and strategic acquisitions. Acquisitions such as custom plastic injection molder Critical to Function in 2003; Accutech Mold and Engineering, a machine shop located in Little Falls, Minnesota, in 2006; and ICM Plastics, which added thermoset plastic molding and extrusion blow molding capabilities to Metro Mold's repertoire also in 2006 all supported Metro Mold's growth into new applications. Heinemann, who is like-minded about how to expand in the future, explains: "We stay current with new technology, trying to maintain an average life of equipment at fewer than five years. The biggest change we've undertaken has been to focus on customer objectives rather than on the parts themselves. Also, globalization has made us more disciplined about saying no to projects that don't fit our core capabilities. "Expansion plans for the future are looking at emerging markets," he continues. "However, between infrastructure, workforce and changing geographic preferences of custom- ers, deciding where to put down roots is a challenge. We're working towards creating a model that is agile and easily adaptable for radically different geographies as OEM's are increasingly asking for overseas options." A Culture of Leadership Metro Mold has embraced a business philosophy based on leadership and redefining the standards of excellence that it believes OEM customers should expect from their contract manufacturing partners. Leading the charge is Heinemann, who is quick to identify himself as a business leader, not a manufacturer. His pas- sion for developing leaders is why he surrounds himself with individuals whose competencies in engineering, design and manufacturing far outweigh his own. "Our chief competitive advantage is Metro Mold's team of unique problem-solvers who come from different back- grounds and experiences," Heinemann explains. "These teams take a two-pronged approach to every project that consists of 1) asking the right questions that lead to better results for customers, and 2) giving all individuals within the team the chance to lead—allowing people the freedom to share their insights and serve as true subject-matter experts, rather than simply following orders from an executive team." For example, involving an injection molding expert in a project requiring machining can lead to a unique set of ques- tions that illuminate a new perspective on a problem. That new perspective frequently delivers the breakthrough to a customized solution that meets the business goals of the cus- tomer, Heinemann says. "These customized solutions can include steps for simpli- fying the supply chain, combining or running parallel pro- cesses, increasing automation, and identifying problems early on to avoid costly 'redos' or outright failures as products are brought into production," he says. Metro Mold also recently launched its "Manufacturing the Impossible" program in which it leverages the diverse back-