Grote Industries Is Named As Winner of Managing Automation 2008 Progressive Manufacturing 50 Awards

Madison, INDIANA, USA, (June 30, 2008) Grote Industries was selected as a winner of the fourth annual Progressive Manufacturing 50 Awards, sponsored by Managing Automation, for its innovative creation of a world class automated production cell.

To increase Grote’s market presence as the leader in manufacturing and sales of LED lighting products, they needed to accelerate the application of technological innovation through automation. Pricing pressures from off-shore companies presented an opportunity for a change in the traditional manufacturing process.

“Robot and operator teams, in conjunction with innovative process technology, is mandatory. The customer benefits from a domestic support staff, strong warranty and better part quality,” stated Ed Sitarski, Grote Product and Cost Improvement Engineer.

The Automated Cell is tooled to manufacture a broad range of products and uses Grote’s specially formulated potting that protects against moisture, vibration and corrosion. Many other technological innovations were designed into the cell; including non-contact soldering methods, camera directed robotic potting stations, process monitoring and layered graphical interfacing, plug-and-play stationed welders, and system directed inventory and pack.

“The goal of the project was to replace fully tended manual operations with a high level of automation, which will provide significant efficiency gains, broad product range adaptability, improved part quality and expedited order fill, while reducing inventories and labor costs,” Sitarski said.

The Progressive Manufacturing 50 Awards Program recognizes 50 projects that have achieved distinction in at least one of the eight core disciplines defined by Managing Automation as critical to business success in the years ahead.

These disciplines include: Business Model Mastery, Customer Mastery, Supply Network Mastery, Data & Integration Mastery, Innovation Mastery, Training & Education Mastery, Leadership and Operational Excellence. Judges evaluated and scored nominated projects based on the following criteria: project scope, business impact, customer impact, technology use and scale. Progressive Manufacturing 50 winners were companies that received the highest total scores in their respective categories.

“This new crop of Progressive Manufacturing winners reflects the amazing creativity and determination alive today in the manufacturing community,” said David R. Brousell, Editor-in-Chief of Managing Automation. “These companies are taking bold steps to rethink their business models and processes, their relationships with customers and partners, and to create new advantages for themselves in business speed and value. In doing so, they are positioning their organizations for greater success now and in the years ahead.”

The Progressive Manufacturing 50 award winners were honored and presented with their awards at the Progressive Manufacturing Black Tie Gala held on the last day of the 2008 Progressive Manufacturing Summit, June 10-12, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Las Vegas. More than 175 manufacturing technology executives attended.

Managing Automation, published by Thomas Publishing Company, LLC, provides a complete set of decision-support informational tools for progressive manufacturers – companies who are using information and automation technologies to transform their businesses and create a sustainable competitive advantage. Its monthly magazine, website, information technology comparison and match database, and executive conferences reach the entire integrated technology buying team, including executives, line-of-business managers and IT management at every stage of the technology buying process.

Grote Industries is a QS-9000, TS16949 and ISO 14001 certified company. The leading manufacturer and marketer of vehicle safety systems products, Grote Industries engineers and manufactures LED, fluorescent and incandescent lamps, mirrors, wiring systems, turn signal switches, connection accessories and reflective accessories. For more than 107 years, Grote has provided state-of-the-art solutions for OEM and aftermarket customers worldwide. Headquartered in Madison, Ind., USA, Grote also maintains locations in Canada and Mexico, and operations in Europe and Asia.