advantage of factory tour

5 Key Benefits to Taking a Factory Tour

A factory tour? Thanks but no. You’re busy and have got better things to do than a factory tour – right?

Well, while you are busy and it’s easy to dismiss these events as a jolly, for us as interior architects & designers working on large-scale new build and refurbishment projects, continual professional development [CPD] is key to remaining on top of ever-changing design and technology developments in the industry.

Factory tours are one of the most valuable activities we undertake – and we’re always encouraging our clients to do the same.

If you’re a client developing a new hotel or new office project, it really does pay to visit your potential suppliers personally and find out more about their products and the way they work – and whether they are right for your project.

So what’s in it for you?

Well, to help you decide if you’ll accept your next supplier invite, we’ve compiled our list of the top 5 benefits of taking a factory tour with you and your busy diary in mind… take a look, discover what makes these visits so valuable and see for yourself the benefits they can bring to your project:

1. Relationships

Taking a factory tour is a wonderful way to build relationships with your suppliers and show them your serious about your project. Connecting personally and building great supplier relationships face to face leads to better service, better pricing and better outcomes for your project.

Earning your suppliers trust and involving them in your project from the earliest stages, ensures they become a strategic partner, vested in the project’s success.

2. Communication

Effective supplier relationships are all about excellent communication. Visiting your suppliers and seeing how they work is a crucial step in developing and agreeing on a communication style that leads to success for your project.

Moving from a purely transactional mindset and improving the way you connect and coordinate with your suppliers will lead to advantages in the speed and efficiencies of procuring products, reducing lead times and improving perfect orders.

3. Knowledge

Knowledge is power and Factory tours provide a powerful way to learn first hand how products come together.

Talking face to face with the experts, seeing the materials and activities that go into the manufacturing process and witnessing the final quality checks not only provides you with intimate knowledge of that particular product – the innovative manufacturing processes you witness may also inspire your thinking about your own working methods

4. Assesement

Evaluating a supplier and the products they produce from a distance is possible, but nothing will tell you the whole story like a factory tour.

You may already be familiar with the product range, but the benefit of a site visit to the factory and head office enables you to see – from the inside – the way the business works, how they manage their processes & production runs, what their quality management looks like and how sustainable and responsible their manufacturing is.

5. Negotiation

Strong negotiation can be the difference between a successful on budget project and a failed one. Where better to negotiate with a potential supplier than personally just after a factory tour?

As Ed Brodow, negotiation expert says “ Negotiators are detectives ” they ask the right questions and amass the right information to ensure they get the best deal. Knowing who you are dealing with and understanding their business personally will lead to smarter deals that benefit your project

A factory tour really is a great way to build balanced and sustainable supplier relationships that will truly benefit your projects. However, a visit is only as good as the planning and purpose you put into it, so before you go, organise your objectives and ask yourself a few key questions:

• Are you there to learn, to witness or to negotiate?
• Or is it all three?
• Are you looking to build relationships?
• Are you checking out capability or simply judging quality?
• What does a successful outcome look like for you?

Being clear on your objectives before your visit will ensure that you get the most out of the day and that your visit is productive and successful.

Find out more about our recent Hansgrohe Factory Tour and if you’re interested in taking some factory tours yourself, the RIBA CPD website is a great place to start.

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Touring Your Manufacturer’s Facility: What are the Benefits?

A few weeks ago, I was in Washington, D.C., for the Cherry Blossom Festival, and my friend and I thought we’d stop and get cold drinks from a nearby food truck. 

I didn’t think much of it when I ordered mango tea, but as the man began pouring me a cup of plain coffee creamer, I realized we’d made a terrible mistake. 

Thinking back to the incident, I can now spot the dozens of warning signs I’d ignored. For starters, every other truck had a long line, while this ice cream truck was empty. However, in the simmering heat, I trusted them simply because they’d written “TEA” on the side in big, bold letters. 

Ordering from a flexible material converter without seeing the facility is like buying food from a mysterious food truck: you’ll get something, but it might not be exactly what’s written on the menu. 

Facility tours can be a priceless opportunity to see the machines up close and listen to your converter explain how they use different processes. At Strouse, tours are critical to fostering customer relationships by demonstrating our existing capabilities.

Knowing the benefits of touring your manufacturer’s facility will allow you to determine when facility tours are necessary and how to get the most out of future tours.

5 Benefits of Touring Your Manufacturer’s Facility

Touring your manufacturer’s facility is more than just establishing trust in their capabilities, it’s also a way to further your connections and generate future project ideas.

These benefits of touring a manufacturing facility will demonstrate whether it’s worth the cost to your company:

BENEFIT #1: VERIFY MACHINES AND EQUIPMENT

“Yeah, we can make that for you,” says some guy you met online.

 For all you know, this contact operates a single die cut machine out of his garage. Yet, when you invest in another company for your critical projects, you’ll want to have the utmost faith in their ability to deliver on time.

There’s a considerable difference between owning a single rotary die cut press versus multiple, and depending on where you are in the process, your project requires different capability levels. Not to mention, many businesses plan to scale up their production early.

Will you know whether the equipment they’re showing you is up-to-date rather than over a decade old? If you want to inspect a converter’s equipment, send one of your technical experts to check.

The company members you send on the tour will likely depend on where you are in the cycle. For example, if you’re designing for current projects, it could be helpful to bring your technical team. Meanwhile, if you already have a product planned, you might want to include your logistics or purchasing team. 

Verifying the machines and equipment of a converter is the first step to checking their capability claims and building trust in the legitimacy of their business.

BENEFIT #2: OBSERVE THE CONDITION OF THEIR FACTORY

Nobody wants their parts built in filthy conditions, yet many people order from manufacturers without ever seeing the inside of their factory. 

For certain products, cleanliness is a much higher priority than for others. For instance, medical tape, bandages, and other products should be produced and stored in a sterile environment . 

When walking through the factory, consider overall cleanliness, organization, material storage, safety measures, and waste disposal. Observe the condition of their factory, including their inventory, to determine whether your contact can safely store your materials and products.

Supply chain issues are commonplace in the manufacturing industry, and your converter might be unable to compete if it can’t order and store enough material to minimize the impact of supply chain disruptions.

Lastly, ask if your converter has immediate expansion plans. It could be a good sign if they’re building, renovating their facilities, or actively adding members to their team. If your converter is steadily progressing as a company and becoming a leader in their respective field, this has positive implications for the work they’ll be doing for you.

BENEFIT #3: MEET WITH YOUR CONTACTS

Meeting your contacts in person is vital for building trust and understanding how they operate and manage your project. It also allows you to form a better relationship and rapport.

Are they taking your project seriously? How have they handled the information you’ve presented them with so far? Do they ask questions about your current work and personalize the tour?

You can gauge a great deal about a company's culture based on the employees’ willingness to offer clear, insightful answers to your questions. In addition, it’s worth considering who you come into contact with on tour. 

Are you directly communicating with somebody who can answer your more technical questions, or do they leave you hanging? 

Touring a facility also lets you observe a company’s work environment and how the workflow is set up. While this might seem like a minor detail, it provides insight into their operations and inspires questions related to inter-team coordination.

Understanding how a potential partner operates may alter the way you coordinate, so it’s worth noting how the different teams are spread out. 

Is the factory located in a separate building? You may need to confirm whether this business is the one responsible for building your part or if they’re outsourcing engineering and labor. 

BENEFIT #4: INSPECT THEIR PRODUCTION OPERATIONS 

Receiving samples in the mail is all well and good, but it’s different from seeing a converter build parts in real-time. 

Watching rolls of material become products as part of a 1-pass production process will confirm that the machines are operational and that a converter knows how to set them up (which is arguably one of the most difficult aspects of flexible material converting) and build parts daily. 

BENEFIT #5: REFLECT ON YOUR OWN PROJECT 

Touring a manufacturing facility causes customers to reflect on their own project needs.

Firstly, you can rest assured that any product information you reveal will be strictly confidential if your converter suggests a mutual NDA . Strouse insists upon a mutual NDA before anyone enters our facilities to preserve the confidentiality of our processes and protect the details of any product, process, or material information you wish to discuss. 

At the end of the day, the question is: what are YOU hoping to get out of this? If you’re willing to travel to see our facility, we want to make sure you get to speak with whomever you’re hoping and see what you’d like. 

Secondly, if you’re hoping to make the most of your tour, it’s useful to warn your converter and let them know about your project or the capabilities you want to see . You might be worried that mentioning a specific ability will narrow a converter’s focus too much. From our perspective , it simply gives us a more precise idea of what to show you and how to frame our conversations to make them more useful to you.

Even if your tour guide focuses on specific capabilities, sometimes just seeing the other machines and hearing about your options can spark ideas for your product or manufacturing process.

Should I Tour My Manufacturer’s Facility?

No matter the outcome, you’ll always have a better idea of whether you should work with a particular manufacturer after touring their facility. 

In fact, even if you’ve been to a facility before, it can be beneficial to return  again every few years to discuss your current projects, witness the changes they’ve undergone, and guarantee your converter still follows good manufacturing practices.

The main downside to touring a manufacturer’s facility is figuring out when a tour is necessary and potentially wasting time and travel costs to visit a nonviable option.

If the cost of travel is too much, or you don’t have enough time, there are other ways to qualify the legitimacy of a converter. For instance, you could look online at reviews to see what other people are saying or utilize Google street view to observe the appearance of their address and scope out its size.  

There are three main outcomes of taking a factory tour:

• The manufacturer has your desired equipment and capabilities 
• They DON’T have your desired equipment and capabilities 
• There are some capabilities, but you want to find a better fit

If you can afford the travel costs, and you’re at the point of asking the question, “Should I tour this facility?” the answer is probably yes, you should request a tour.

Every manufacturer has limitations, and touring their facility is a straightforward way to visit, ask questions, and better understand where they focus primarily and how they’re expanding in the current market. 

Are you interested in witnessing Strouse’s manufacturing capabilities up-close and personal? Contact us to schedule a tour.

Lee K. House

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Why (and How) to Take a Plant Tour

by David M. Upton and Stephen E. Macadam

In recent years, managers have recognized how manufacturing capabilities contribute to a company’s overall strategic strength. The ability to respond quickly to customers’ orders, to customize products to match customers’ exact requirements, or to ramp up production rapidly can be a powerful and difficult-to-imitate competitive weapon. But many corporate managers identify their plants’ capabilities only by accident—as a result of chance conversations with plant managers or operations specialists. Consequently, many managers do not have the information necessary to cultivate, shape, and exploit their company’s manufacturing capabilities. As plants develop, however, they need guidance to build capabilities that meet current and future needs. Plant tours can be a powerful way of providing factories with that kind of direction.

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The Surprising Power of a Factory Tour

It’s not just about marketing; it’s about engaging people in solutions to real problems. 

Can something as simple as a factory tour play a role in solving some of the macro-level problems that plague the construction industry? The short answer may well be “Yes.”  

As the industry looks to its future, a number of issues sit in its metaphorical in-box waiting to be addressed: the labor shortage continues, with the number of job openings continuing on its increasing trend and reaching over 300,000 per month in mid-2021; productivity growth has continued to lag that of other industries ; and despite continuing adoption of sustainable construction practices, more improvement is necessary .

The good news is that there is a clear path to progress on each of these fronts, and that path entails increased use of prefab and modular construction methods. Yet many firms are setting foot on that path only hesitantly; while a reported three-fourths of firms have used prefab to one extent or another , for any individual firm that extent has not been great; only two in ten make use of prefab on half of their projects or more.

While legitimate concerns about the state of prefab and modular construction technologies have been expressed, it’s also clear that, as often as not, misperceptions about these techniques among firms, customers, and communities are the reason they’re not being used more.

Use Factory Tours to Build Engagement

The need, however, goes beyond education; it requires a real sense of engagement on the part of all stakeholders. It can be a challenge to generate and sustain that feeling of engagement in the bigger picture when people have day-in and day-out problems they need to solve. If you surveyed those who work in construction and related fields, the majority would almost certainly tell you they’d like to learn more. And that’s where a tour of a facility that manufactures prefab or modular units can be surprisingly effective. There’s no better way for any industry, or industry sub-sector, to build a sense of engagement than to make those stakeholders feel like insiders, to give them a peek behind the curtain in the form of a formal manufacturing center tour. And that benefits both the manufacturer and the customer alike.

There are a lot of ways tours can be designed to enhance the experience. Engaging all the senses makes everything more memorable. So does giving participants the chance to get a feel for the final product. At the Louisville Slugger factory tour, participants can handle the wooden rods that will soon become baseball bats, and in the process they’ll “smell the wood, and see the wood chips fly. ” The Harley-Davidson museum tour ends with participants being given a chance to settle into the saddle of a brand new motorcycle.   

But while the effectiveness of the tour’s script will be enhanced by any of these additions, the tour guide’s words are still the most important source of engagement. Those words should be written keeping in mind a simple idea from author Simon Sinek: “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” And while your customers already know what you do, and any tour makes it more clear how you do it, the real benefit of a tour for both parties is to deeply and compellingly communicate why you do it.

Well, why do you do it? The answer is different for each company, but the answer must involve solving the customer’s problems.   

What problems can use of prefab or modular construction components solve?

Using prefab and modular components can not only increase labor productivity, it can result in improved scheduling, quality control, safety, and costs .

Using modular components can enhance sustainability by reducing waste, reducing disruption of the local community during construction, and reducing energy use during operation .

Modular construction does not result in “cookie-cutter” building design, and does not in fact have to reduce architectural creativity in any way.

This list of problems solvable through use of prefab/modular components actually looks a lot like the list of industry-wide “big picture” problems discussed above.

Use Tour Guide Headsets to Improve Communication

But there’s still one other critical consideration: none of this will work if the manufacturing floor is too noisy for the tour guide to be heard. Here the solution is straightforward: a wireless tour guide system that equips everyone involved with a comfortable headset and receiver/transceiver combination. The headsets are equipped with noise-reduction features, allowing the speaker’s voice to be heard clearly, right in the listener’s ears at normal conversational volume. And that creates the sense that the speaker’s words are directed at each person individually, almost more so than the group as a whole, which enhances the sense of engagement on everyone’s part.

Ultimately, the only truly effective marketing programs are those that communicate a solution to the customer’s problem. By ensuring that the message is heard, a wireless tour guide system empowers the client to use the company’s products to solve problems – not just day-to-day problems, but industry-wide issues as well.     

This is a guest post written by Rick Farrell, President of Plant-Tours.com .         

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Site Visit or Plant Tour: How to Maximize Its Effectiveness

• December 3, 2018
• Supplier Assessment , Supplier Sourcing

We’ve talked about why and how you should do a site visit before. Even though you know a site visit is of great importance in assuring you the quality and the consistency of your future products, you may still find it hard to put it to effective use. This is all the more true if you or your team have limited experience in conducting site visits or plant tours.

For some, especially those who are looking for overseas suppliers, site visits are both time and money consuming. Especially when you don’t have a local team to help you with that.

So what can you do to ensure an effective site visit? How can you maximize the effectiveness of the plant tours?

We’ve broken the whole site visit into the following 3 parts, so you’ll have a better idea of what to do in each phase of the site visit so as to make it effective as you hope.

Before the visit

Before going straight forward to the supplier, there are things that you can do to save time for the both parties. Such preparations are of utmost important in that they set the tone for the rest of the tasks that follow.

Prioritize your goals for the site visit

First, you need to know for sure why you want to do the site visit, what accomplishments you want to achieve, who do you think you should talk to if you want to get the problem solved.

Without knowing where to focus the time and effort, it’s almost unlikely that you will see a promising outcome for the site visit.

The last thing you want to do is to make the site visit just a day tour to the factory, only to discover that the site visit is but a tiring and non-effective waste of time.

Gather the right resources

Once you’ve set the goals for your site visit, it shouldn’t be hard for you to gather the right resources to actually going to the site.

For example, you should include a quality engineer in your site visit team if one of your priorities is product quality. And you should definitely include a sourcing professional if you want to make sure the product price is not off the chart.

It is, of course, very natural for you to include as many people who have site visiting experience as you can. Because the more site visits one has done, the easier for them to maximize the effectiveness of the tours. However, with the clear goals and structure set, it’s easy for even the young, in-experienced engineers to get the most out of site visits.

Do a joint preparation

When you have the goals and team set, the next thing you do is to start preparing for the visit. And we suggest doing a joint preparation, i.e. a joint meeting between you and the potential supplier.

In this way, you won’t have to explain to your supplier what exactly are you looking for at the site and waste the precious visiting time. And your supplier can prepare the required information such as data, numbers, figures when you ask for it at the site.

In addition, you can settle down on the detail schedule for the visit and propose changes to items that are of little importance to your visit goals.

During the visit

We’ve covered in the post Select the Ideal Supplier With a Site Visit  about what questions you should as during a site visit.

Here is just a screen shot for your reference. Feel free to give it a read if you’re interested in knowing more.

After the visit

When the visit ends, it’s crucial that you summarize the visit into a form of report and then send feedback to your potential supplier.

On the one hand, the site visit report is a good way to tell how well you and your team have achieved the goals you set before the visit. In addition, the report provides an objective insight of whether the visited supplier is a good fit for your product.

On the other hand, your potential supplier could use the feedback to improve their expertise and capabilities. Even though the supplier won’t be your choice at the end, it’s still good for your business to maintain a nice, friendly relationship with more potential suppliers.

If site visits are almost impossible…

There are many cases where site visits are almost impossible to be done. For example, when your potential suppliers are located somewhere across the world; when you don’t have the right resources to assess the potential suppliers at site; when the suppliers refuse any chance of site visiting from you…

If you’re still bothered by the above problems, feel free to reach out to us, and we’d be more than happy to fix the problem for you.

We have a team of engineers with decades of experience in field; we’re located in Asia so it’s easier for us to get around; we have great relationships with hundreds of suppliers in almost any industries… In a nutshell, we’ve got you covered.

Feel free to let us know what’s bothering you, and we’ll see what we can do to help.

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5 Key Benefits to Taking a Factory Tour

• November 29, 2023

5 Key Benefits of Taking a Factory Tour

Ever wondered about the relationship between raw materials and the furniture that graces our living spaces? The often-unseen world of furniture manufacturing holds a wealth of insights waiting to be uncovered. In this exploration of the intriguing processes behind the pieces we use every day, a factory tour will take you into the heart of production.

This blog, deliberately void of promotional overtones, strives to unveil the persuasive reasons to venture beyond the showroom. Whether you’re an avid furniture enthusiast, a potential buyer with an eye for quality, or just curious about the craft, there’s much to discover. Peel back the layers as we guide the manufacturing process, from careful craftsmanship and innovative technologies to the customization options available. Beyond the finished product, we delve into sustainable practices, recognizing the environmental consciousness woven into the fabric of modern furniture production. So, let’s get started.

What are the Benefits of Taking a Factor Tour?

1. see how furniture are made.

A factory tour offers a fascinating trip into the heart of furniture manufacturing, similar to behind-the-scenes access to the fascinating procedure of turning raw materials into practical and visually attractive works.

VISIT FOR :- Automobile Furniture

 Imagine a giant puzzle where plain materials, like wood and metal, undergo a step-by-step transformation into the chairs and tables that grace our homes. This immersive experience unveils the artistry and effort embedded in every piece, transcending the mere functionality of furniture to become an appreciation of the craftsmanship involved. It’s not just about the final product; it’s about understanding the magic woven into the seemingly ordinary elements that make up our everyday surroundings. The factory tour becomes a doorway to appreciating the intricate dance between creativity and craftsmanship, turning mundane materials into items that hold both practical and artistic value.

2. Learn About Quality:

Quality, often considered an abstract concept, takes on tangible form during a factory tour, offering insights comparable to learning the secret recipe for a delicious cake. It’s more than a label; it’s a characteristic observable in the meticulous processes that define the production of high-quality furniture. From the careful selection of top-notch materials to the precision in crafting joints and finishes, the emphasis on both durability and aesthetics becomes clear. The factory tour transforms the notion of quality from a vague expectation to a concrete set of standards. As you walk through the manufacturing process, you witness the deliberate choices and attention to detail that separate good furniture from the rest. This knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions, ensuring that the selected pieces not only align with your style preferences but also stand the test of time in terms of both durability and design.

3. Discover Cool Machines

Machines, often working behind the scenes, take center stage during a factory tour, becoming the unsung heroes in the furniture-making story. Picture them as powerful superheroes in a workshop, handling the heavy lifting and crafting that transform raw materials into furniture marvels. These hero-machines contribute to the magical journey from conceptualization to creation. Witnessing their precision in cutting, shaping, and assembling not only demystifies the manufacturing process but adds a layer of fascination to the overall experience. The tour offers a close-up look at the synergy between craftsmanship and technology, where machines play a crucial role in turning ordinary materials into extraordinary pieces. This exploration into the realm of machinery unveils the technological marvels that elevate furniture production from a simple assembly line to a captivating dance of innovation.

VISIT FOR :- maharaja bed design

4. Make Your Furniture Unique:

The concept of customization takes on a new dimension during a factory tour, transcending the mere selection of pre-made options to becoming the architect of your furniture. It’s like having a superpower to design your furniture, where colors, shapes, and sizes become the building blocks of personalization. The tour unveils a palette of choices, providing the power to create something uniquely yours. This level of personalization transforms your home into a canvas where your style and preferences take center stage. The factory tour empowers you to move beyond conventional choices, turning the selection of furniture into a creative endeavor that results in a living space resonating with your individuality. It’s not just about acquiring furniture; it’s about crafting a home that reflects your unique taste and personality, making it stand out and feel truly yours.

5. Help the Planet:

The factory tour serves as an educational platform for aspiring planet heroes, fostering an understanding of how furniture can be produced without harming the Earth. It’s an exploration of eco-friendly practices employed in furniture manufacturing, transforming the act of selecting furniture into a conscious choice for the environment. The tour delves into the methods and materials chosen to create furniture with a minimal ecological footprint. From the use of sustainable materials to energy-efficient manufacturing processes, the tour becomes a commitment to sustainability. It’s not just about having stylish furniture; it’s about contributing to a healthier planet through deliberate and eco-conscious decisions. By choosing pieces made with these principles in mind, you actively participate in the mission to create a more environmentally friendly world, making each furniture purchase a small yet impactful step towards a greener future.

VISIT FOR :- restaurant sofa manufacturers

6. Learn Stuff for Your Home:

Your home, often considered your sanctuary, becomes a canvas for creativity as you absorb valuable insights during the factory tour. It’s a masterclass in optimizing your living space, providing practical tips and tricks for selecting furniture that compliments your lifestyle and space. The tour goes beyond the manufacturing process, offering a guide to arranging furniture for better flow, choosing colors that create a cozy atmosphere, and understanding the nuances of selecting pieces that fit perfectly. Gradually, you evolve into the maestro of your living space, armed with the knowledge to curate a home that not only looks good but feels perfect for you. From the initial steps of conceptualization to the final placement of each piece, the factory tour equips you with the tools to transform your living space into a haven tailored to your unique preferences and personality.

Embark on a transformative journey with Suren Space’s factory tour, where the magic of furniture creation unfolds. From witnessing the artistry in every piece to learning the secrets of quality and customization, the tour empowers you with a newfound appreciation for your living space. Become a planet hero by making eco-conscious choices. Let Suren Space be your guide, turning the mundane act of choosing furniture into a personalized, sustainable, and enlightening experience. Your home deserves more than just furniture; it deserves the touch of individuality and care that a Suren Space factory tour can provide.

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7 Questions to Ask on a Factory Tour

A factory exists for one reason: to produce high-quality products as efficiently as possible. any activity that doesn’t add value to a product is waste, which costs money and increases product lead times..

Private Equity investors know waste elimination is one of the most effective ways to increase profitability and reduce risk in any business. Yet identifying the source of waste can be tricky; it can come from many different places—including producing more than needed, not shipping on time, unnecessary movement of the product, inappropriate or additional processing, unnecessary inventory, and defects requiring rework or warranty costs. Not only do these issues waste precious resources, but also many of them can result in longer term business risks, including improper allocation of capital, excess working capital, quality issues, and excess labor, resulting poor financial performance.

Assessing a plant to pinpoint sources of waste and risks in a factory is more science than art.

When mulling over an investment decision, here are seven questions private equity professionals should ask when touring the factory floor:

1) Does this plant look organized?

Clear signage and powerful visual management systems can enhance productivity—helping employees and management understand the rhythm of the operation; ensuring workers know what to do; reducing the chance of injury; decreasing labor and inventory costs; improving asset utilization; reducing capital; and increasing EBIDTA and cashflow.

What to look for:

• ORGANIZATION TOOLS. Kanban scheduling (a scheduling system for lean manufacturing that limits the buildup of excess inventory throughout production) and color-coded production lines, among other visual cues, should guide employees to locations for tasks.
• VISUAL LABELING SYSTEM. Kiosks that display team member names, vacation schedules, processes and productivity metrics should be positioned across working areas and machines.
• WORK INSTRUCTIONS AND PRODUCT INSPECTIONS. Clear instructions should be visible at all workstations to help the operator safely and consistently produce quality products.
• OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (OMS). An effective OMS provides real-time and historical operational performance for management, customers and investors to view across the following five areas: (+)Safety, (Q)uality, (D)elivery, (I)nventory, (P)roductivity.

2) Does this factory’s layout maximize efficiency?

A factory’s layout will positively or negatively influence manufacturing operations. Lean factory layouts minimize time spent on non-value-added activities, reduce cycle time and labor costs, and provide flexible equipment arrangements, which lower fixed costs and help companies respond to changing market demands. The layout of a plant should not be overlooked.

• PRODUCT FLOW. Products should move from process to process in small quantities—ideally, one piece at a time—with minimal time spent between steps. U-shaped process flows often allow for flexible crew sizing, quick quality feedback and task sharing to produce items at “takt time,” or the rate of demand.
• MATERIAL HANDLING. Materials should flow along an efficient path, and equipment should be oriented so that high-volume finished goods move from one process to the next, without requiring batch quality handling. High-volume runners should travel along a path designed to minimize distance between incoming receipt and outbound shipping.
• FLEXIBLE PLANT AND INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS. Building infrastructure should support periodic re-layout activities via bright open floor layouts, with few interior walls, modular walls, or mobile interior walls, as well as adaptable utility distribution systems.

3) What is the condition of the equipment and machinery?

Equipment and workstations should be well-maintained. Details, such as prominently posted purchase dates and maintenance records, demonstrate that management cares for the equipment, the products, the employees, and the work they do. Well-maintained capital equipment can lead to a decreased chance of injury; reduce the need for redundant capital-intensive machinery; and minimize downtime and production delays, lowering risk and maximizing value.

• CLEAN EQUIPMENT AND COMPONENTS. Machines should be in good condition, free of stains, with no visible leaks and clearly displayed nameplates and asset tags.
• COST AND MAINTENANCE RECORDS. Preventative maintenance requirements and events should be tracked, with data available at the machine location. Predictive maintenance should be performed and tracked at specific intervals, driven by workload.
• ANDON SYSTEMS. Andon systems are communications platforms to help notify management and employees of any issues. Machines should visually indicate a failure mode with a signal on the machine or other centralized Andon boards.

4) How is management handling production planning?

The best factories have production lines where a planned “pacing process” controls the speed of production for all upstream activities, preventing inventory buildups and improving quality. The pacing process should be set slightly faster than the rate at which goods need to be produced to satisfy customer demand. Effective labor and resource planning ensure finished goods are produced at or close to the rate of demand, helping to avoid costly over-investments or inventory buildups.

• DOCUMENTATION OF PRODUCTION RATES. Each production line should have a target rate of production that allows the factory to meet demand (often referred to as “takt time”).
• PRODUCTION LINE LEVELING. Machines must be capable of processing parts faster than the line’s takt time to keep up with demand.

5) Are there controls in place to position and monitor inventory?

The best plants have controls in place to correctly position and monitor inventories. Investments in inventory controls can reduce working capital and production delays due to stock-outs; improve accuracy and record reliability; and reduce the amount of storage space required, decreasing fixed overhead and expanding capacity.

• STRATEGICALLY POSITIONED INVENTORY POINTS. Raw material and “work-in-progress” inventory storage points should feed production lines in a way that allows the factory to deliver planned service levels to customers.
• INVENTORY CONTROLS. To ensure inventory accuracy and conformance to plan, a cycle count process should be used, with accuracy of 99% or better. Inventory locations should have addresses, and all inventory should be tracked throughout the facility in real time via barcode scanners, or RFID. Inventory turns are calculated and tracked on a monthly basis, with plans in place to maintain or reduce current inventory levels.
• VISUAL CONTROLS. Visual controls can help assure proper inventory levels are on-hand in the right places.

6) Is this factory a safe place to work?

A plant safety program engages all levels of the workforce to identify risks and eliminate root causes of potential accidents. Risk and cost avoidance are two critical benefits from a safe workplace—from lower insurance premiums to decreased risk of catastrophic events and adverse legal action. Enhanced employee morale and teamwork may also result from a better working environment, whereby workers feel respected and are therefore more easily retained and recruited. Particularly in a low unemployment environment, worker morale should not be overlooked.

• A CLEAN, BRIGHT AND ORDERLY WORKPLACE. Machines and work areas should be organized and free of clutter. Lighting should be consistent, air quality high and noise levels low.
• GUARDED MACHINES AND WORKING AREAS. Pinch points on machines should have fixed guarding or light curtains to prevent accidental contact. Pedestrian and forklift paths should be separated with guardrails in areas where the two can interact, and machines and production lines should have emergency stop switches.
• SAFETY PROGRAM WITH STRONG MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT. Plant safety metrics should be prominently displayed on the manufacturing floor, including mechanisms for identifying safety issues in the facility and documented action items and resolutions to problems. Before any plant tour, safety instructions should be provided, including the need for any personal safety equipment.
• STRONG COMPANY QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. The factory should have a well-defined system including control plans, Pareto analysis, root cause detection and corrective action. Quality performance should be tracked, trended and displayed monthly throughout the facility.

7) Are employees motivated to achieve shared goals?

In the best plants, people consistently focus on the plant’s goals for productivity and quality, know their jobs well and are eager to share their knowledge with customers and visitors. Short- and long-term goals for the plant and team, daily operations reviews and visual displays showing progress can help engage employees at all levels in meaningful change with measurable results, driving morale and encouraging teamwork.

• INDICATORS OF TEAMWORK AND ENGAGEMENT IN CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT. Employee recognition boards should be displayed in high-profile locations to highlight teams and their contributions. Factory leaders should also leverage employee incentives to spur increases in productivity, performance and innovation.
• QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY STATEMENTS. Mission statements should be posted on the manufacturing floor.
• MANAGEMENT BY PERFORMANCE ENVIRONMENT. Visual performance measurement boards should be posted at the department and work center level, showing goals and actual results.

With these questions in hand, private equity professionals can make the most of their time on the factory floor and walk away with key insights on the health, quality and value of a business.

In the end, there is one final question PE executives should ask themselves as they consider an investment decision: “Would I buy the products this factory produces?”

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TIM RISTOFF

Founder & ceo.

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Facility Tour

What is a Facility Tour?

What are the benefits of giving facility tours.

• Give customers an inside look. Whether the facility is a nursing home or a manufacturing plant, a facility tour gives customers insight on how the facility runs.
• Gives new employees the lay of the land. Being a new employee can be intimidating! A facility tour helps the employee be confident in the lay of the land.
• Gives potential clients a sneak peek. When companies are trying to attract vendors or clients, a facility tour can give the vendor the confidence they need to invest in a quality company.

Who Should Be Invited to Facility Tours

New employees, vendors/clients, how to conduct a facility tour, step 1: introduction and information, step 2: the tour, step 3: the follow-up.

Samantha Palm, MHRM, SHRM-SCP

Who should conduct facility tours?

Should activities be part of a facility tour, how long should a facility tour be.

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3 ways a virtual factory tour can benefit your business

In 2020, the digital twin market was valued at $3 billion , and it is expected to grow to $48 billion by 2026. As one of the early adopters of the technology, the manufacturing sector continues to invest heavily in digital technologies for real-time analytics, predictive maintenance, and IoT capabilities.

Despite the manufacturing sector facing constantly increasing demand and a rapidly evolving technology landscape, digital transformation has rarely proven a straightforward process. For example, factory documentation has long suffered from inconsistencies due to myriad different systems and processes in use. Often, stakeholders do not have the level of visibility they would like to have into their production environments and supply chains.

In this article, we’ll look at how digital twins and virtual tours of production facilities present an improved alternative to conventional formats like corporate videos and presentations – or in-person visits.

What is a virtual factory tour?

A virtual factory tour is exactly what it sounds like – an immersive tour of your whole production environment. The most immersive experiences are those powered by digital twins, which are entire digital replicas of your production facilities. A digital factory combines 360-degree virtual tours with augmented and virtual reality to give clients, employees, and stakeholders a chance to view your production facilities.

This brings about a variety of benefits, such as the following:

1. Build customer trust

More than ever, customers want a behind-the-scenes look at how their products are created. In the B2B space, clients are considerably more demanding. Many have stringent corporate social responsibility (CSR) and vendor-management policies, which typically require them to have considerable insight into the practices and procedures of those they do business with. A virtual factory tour, which can be shared via email and accessed 24/7 via a web browser, offers an information-rich experience that builds trust and transparency.

Virtual factory tours are similarly valuable in vendor and partner relationship management, since they offer complete visibility across the production chain.

2. Enhance employee training

The hazardous nature of manufacturing environments like auto shops and other production facilities means that worker safety must be a top priority. Traditionally, training had to be done exclusively on-site. However, thanks to virtual factory tours, new hires can now be given tours of your facilities and learn how to operate your production facilities in a risk-free environment. A virtual factory tour serves as a good primer for employee training, as well as for introducing contractors and vendors to your production facilities in a safe environment.

3. Reduce business risk

The above benefits combine to significantly reduce operational and business risk. Employees can be fully acquainted with your production facilities before they start working on the shop floor. Stakeholders can enjoy complete visibility over their investments, and customers can enjoy an inside look at where and how their products are made. Together, these advantages reduce the risks to your brand by enabling complete transparency.

The future of virtual factory tours

Many manufacturers first started to realize these benefits during the coronavirus pandemic, when virtual factory tours saw a massive update. Major companies like Siemens and Audi are just two well-known examples of manufacturers which have successfully adopted the virtual factory tour model in the wake of the pandemic.

However, the benefits of virtual factory tours go far beyond the short-term mitigation effects needed during the pandemic. They reduce travel costs, enhance transparency across global production environments, and provide an engaging and immersive new way to tour factories in a risk-free and readily accessible environment.

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Plastics Pipeline Blog

Are you maximizing the benefits of plant tours.

“Almost everyone who leads, works for, or interacts with a manufacturing company can benefit from seeing a factory firsthand,” wrote David M. Upton and Stephen E. Macadam in their article, “ Why (and How) to Take a Plant Tour ” for the Harvard Business Review. “Plant visits allow managers to review a supplier’s qualifications, to share best practices with a partner, or to benchmark performance and practices. Shop-floor operators can assess another plant’s operations and apply what they’ve learned to their own factories.”

It seems like many people agree with Upton and Macadam. An internet search for manufacturing plant tours pulls up announcements of plant tours on websites ranging from the host manufacturing companies to local chambers of commerce to national industry associations.

In the plastics industry, Manufacturers Association for Plastic Processors (MAPP), which according to its website is “the largest grassroots organization in the United States plastics industry,” offers plant tours several times each year to its members. And, according to the following video, its members find the plant tours very valuable.

Featured in the video was Robert Clothier, Human Resources Manager for Team 1 Plastics, a plastic injection molding company for the mobility industry, and a member of MAPP. In a recent interview, Clothier shared his plant tour experiences. He said that Team 1 Plastics has participated in several MAPP plant tours, including hosting one in 2015, and has always found them very valuable.

Upton and Macadam cautioned, “Even people who know that plant tours are valuable can find it difficult to put them to effective use.” They then offered several suggestions of ways to enhance learning, including “make sure the right people are on the tour,” and “to keep an open mind. Much of the learning that occurs on a plant tour is unexpected.”

They also advised that you should “visit plants in different industries and to resist the immediate temptation to visit only plants ‘like ours.’” Clothier said he, along with Craig Carrel, President of Team 1 Plastics, did just that when they toured Cardinal Manufacturing . Cardinal Manufacturing is, according to its website, “a company within a school, where students learn about manufacturing and gain firsthand experience” – something that Team 1 Plastics is trying to develop with a local area high school.

Clothier said that he and Carrel work together to decide which plant tours they believe would be valuable to Team 1 and which Team Members they think would benefit from the tours. The descriptions of the plant tours on the MAPP website help with them with their decision making because the descriptions often highlight the focus of the particular tour.

For example, the description of the MAPP Young Professionals Plant Tour to Thogus Products in June 2018 included the heading, “Creating a Culture of Continuous Improvement.” The focus of the event, according to the description, was “on understanding and benchmarking best practices in continuous improvement and employee engagement.”

As a member of MAPP’s Young Professional Advisory Board, Clothier said that he plans to attend all of their plant tours no matter what the theme is. “It’s not as if the tour is completely focused on just that area. Part of the benefit of the plant tours is how they structure them. They always have some time for networking in small groups.”

Clothier then shared that Team 1 has taken its plant tours experiences to a new level of value by participating in plant tour exchanges with two different companies, Plastics Components, Inc.  (PCI) and Viking Plastics . The plant tour exchanges consisted of a handful of Team Members from Team 1 Plastics visiting and touring each of the two injection molding companies’ facilities. In turn, a handful of employees from each of the two companies came to Albion, Michigan, and took a tour of Team 1 Plastics’ facility.

The plant tour exchanges were suggested by Laurie Harbour, President and CEO of Harbour Results , a consultant for Team 1 Plastics. Clothier said that Harbour provided a list of companies she believed would be a “good cross fit between the two companies based on particular areas at which each company excelled.”

Team 1 Plastics reviewed the list and, ultimately, Clothier coordinated the visits with the two companies. “Both Viking and PCI saw the benefit of having a customizable plant tour,” and the tour dates were set up. Team 1 visited PCI in December 2017, and Viking Plastics in March 2018. Viking’s visit to Team 1 also occurred in March 2018. PCI toured Team 1 in August 2018.

Clothier said that the plant tour exchanges were much more customized and tailored than a MAPP plant tour. They built the tour agendas based on who (job titles/functions) from the other companies was visiting.

The agendas also included breakout sessions for networking and discussion. He added that information sharing flowed much more freely than at a MAPP plant tour. “When you’re in a setting of 12 people versus 80, you can be a little bit more candid and laid back. I met one-on-one with Wendi Jay, the HR manager at PCI. We had some good conversation about things that work well for us and what each of our challenges are.”

He then gave an example of a challenge that Team 1 was experiencing with an HR tool that both companies utilize, Culture Index, an employment profile survey. Clothier said, “It was helpful just to understand how they use Culture Index versus how we were using it.” This information sharing led Clothier to change how he uses the tool so that it adapts to Team 1’s culture more effectively.

Probably the greatest benefit to any plant tour is the new ideas that you collect and bring back to your company. Clothier said that when he is on a plant tour, he often snaps pictures of things that capture his attention and spark an idea. “I once took a picture of a training board that was different than mine because I liked some things about theirs and thought that I could add them to mine.”

The Team Members who toured Viking Plastics reported that they were very impressed that the tour was employee led and felt that it was a positive influence on both the company’s employees as well as their visitors. This observation sparked an idea of how Team 1 could implement employee-led plant tours in its facility, and Clothier said that this idea is currently in process of being implemented at Team 1.

Based on the success of these two initial plant tour exchanges, Team 1 Plastics is hoping and anticipating for more in its future. In fact, Clothier said that Carrel and he have discussed having them at least once or twice a year.

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Industrial Visits and Production Tours- for Holistic Learning

• What are industrial visits?
• Importance of industrial visits for students

Industrial visits are now a part of the holistic educational process. Educational institutions are now realising the importance of industrial visits for college students.

So much so, the curriculum has now evolved to include industrial visits in the course syllabus.

What Are Industrial Visits and Why Industrial Visits Are Important?

Industrial visits are tours to manufacturing, production or business sites. They can be for a short duration of time lasting for just a few hours in a day, to long tours spreading over a few days.

The objectives of industrial visits are to establish a link between theory taught in a classroom and actual practical concepts .

The importance of industrial visits for college students cannot be undermined. Industrial visits contribute to the holistic learning development of students. Let’s look at some of the reasons why industrial visits are important.

1. Eliminates Misconceptions

Students may have certain pre-conceived notions based on what they see on television or hear through peer group stories. Having industrial tours can help students get the right perspective of the working of an industry.

2. First-Hand Experience

One of the reasons why industrial visits are important is because it gives first-hand experience of the work atmosphere in an industry.

Students can witness live events and activities in a business space through industrial visits.

3. Reduces the Learning Gap

A brick-and-mortar type of learning can offer only limited knowledge to students. Combining industrial visits and production tours with classroom teaching can fill the learning gap.

Students will be able to combine theoretical knowledge with practical experiences and use this additional knowledge to build their skills. This is why industrial visits for college students is important

4. Encourages Active Learning

Another importance of industrial visits for students is that it encourages active learning. Classroom learning requires sitting for long hours throughout the lecture.

However, on industrial visits students take tours of the different departments of the industry. Here, students walk and observe each department. Students become attentive and vigilant during industrial tours.

5. Improves Technical Know-How

One of the learning outcomes of industrial visits is that it improves technical know-how. Students can now observe the live working mechanisms of machinery and equipment.

Textbooks only provide a written procedure of the working of machines, but industrial visits can offer live demonstrations. These live demonstrations improve the technical knowledge of students.

6. Insight Into the Future

7. Encourages Students to Study

Believe it or not but one of the reasons why industrial visits are important is because it encourages students to study. This happens in two ways

• Some students are so mesmerised by the working of an industry that they too want to work in a similar place after college. This desire encourages them to study hard to get into an industry of their choice.
• Similarly, students are encouraged to study hard after an industrial visit because of the interest that the industrial visit has kindled in them. On an industrial visit, students learn a lot of practical concepts. These practical concepts can kindle the interest of students in certain subjects.

8. Answers Directly from The Horse’s Mouth

The importance of industrial visits for students can be seen in the fact that students can directly clear any concept doubts that they may have, directly from the management or the person in charge.

In a classroom, the teacher will clear doubts of students . However, this information is limited to textbook information.

On industrial visits, students can clear doubts from the people directly working on the concerned matter.

9. Easy Identification of The Area of Interest

An industry has many departments. Each department works in coordination with each other to fulfil the objectives of the business. Every business or industry has more or less the following departments

• Administration

Site visits demonstrate the working of all these departments. Students can get an idea about which department they would like to pursue a career in. They get a rough picture of their prospective job .

10. Witness Change in Policies

Different companies follow different company policies to achieve their goals . Through industrial visits, students can witness different policies of the companies and why they choose to follow these policies.

Industrial visits for college students is important because it shows students how to adopt the best company practices to achieve the company objectives.

11. Develops Critical Thinking Amongst Students

Another reason why industrial visits are important for students is that it develops critical thinking power amongst the students.

Many times industrial visits come with certain case studies. These case studies make students think critically to solve issues.

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12. Corporate Training Opportunities

Industrial visits are an opportunity for students to strike a conversation with the management and administration of companies.

When students are on good terms with the management, it gives them a better chance of receiving corporate training and jobs after college.

13. Change Is Good

Studying in a classroom atmosphere for long hours can be dull. Industrial visits are a welcome change from the daily routine . It is a good way for students to get a good break from the classroom atmosphere.

14. Working Conditions

When students go on business tours or industrial visits, they get exposure to the current working conditions.

Whether it is a  labour centric industry or a white-collar type of company, students are exposed to the current working trends.

They can notice minute details like dress code , mannerisms of employees among other corporate trends.

15. Certification

Industrial visits are slowly becoming an integral part of the education system. Educators are now realising the importance of industrial visits for students.

Many schools and colleges have already adopted this system in their curriculum and are showing positive results.

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Four tips to help organize a fantastic factory tour

With good planning, people should be able to organize a memorable factory tour for all visitors..

If someone is looking for a way to draw in new customers or investors, a factory tour might be just what someone needs. It’s an excellent opportunity to show off facilities and equipment and introduce the staff. On top of that, a good company tour will emphasize professionalism and help build a stronger bond with clients.

All that is only possible if the factory tour is successful. And factories typically aren’t particularly suitable for tours — they tend to be loud and full of activity. In such conditions, it can be difficult to deliver a good presentation and ensure that everyone in the audience hears it.

Still, there are ways to organize fantastic factory tours that clients and investors will remember for years. Not sure how to do that? Consider these four tips for making a memorable tour.

1. Try to understand factory tour visitors’ goals

In order to organize a successful tour, start by understanding the visitors. If a company knows what they want to see and hear, they’ll have an easier time satisfying the visitors, and they’ll leave feeling their time was well spent. Ultimately, that’s exactly what is wanted.

Of course, someone can’t be sure what each and every member of the visiting group wants to hear. But someone can understand the whole group’s goals. Both investors and clients will probably want to see that the factory is up to par and the product quality is top-notch. But some of their other objectives might not be the same.

For instance, investors are more likely to be interested in a company’s efficiency and financial performance. After all, they are here to decide whether they should invest their money or not. On the other hand, if the visitors are potential clients, they’ll want to know more about the production process, cleanliness and inventory.

Take that into consideration when planning a tour. And of course, if someone doesn’t manage to answer all of the visitors’ questions, give them an opportunity to ask.

2. Use a wireless factory tour guide system

Factories aren’t exactly quiet — machines and people working with them tend to make a lot of noise. Thus, they don’t make a great setting for giving presentations or tours . After all, what’s the point of showing visitors around if they can’t even hear?

And, of course, someone can’t stop all activity as they’re showing visitors around. That wouldn’t only be a waste of money and time but also counterproductive to the tour. The audience wants to see how the company operates on a regular day, not an empty factory that’s not working.

So, how does someone resolve the noise issue then? Well, someone could use a wireless tour guide system during the presentation. These systems contain earpieces and microphones, allowing everyone to communicate even in less than ideal conditions. So, no matter how noisy it is, the presenter doesn’t have to raise their voice. Just speak as one would normally, and everyone will still hear.

Wireless systems usually come in two forms — one- and two-way systems. If a company chooses a two-way one, their visitors will also be able to talk to the company. Depending on the kind of tour, that may be a good idea. Someone might want to hear the audience’s feedback or allow them to ask questions even as they are being shown around.

3. Warn employees in advance

While the goal is to show visitors a regular day at the company, measures should still be taken to ensure everything goes smoothly. One such measure is telling employees an important tour is coming up and instructing them on what to do. For instance, tell them to be quieter or make more room for the group at a specific time.

Warning employees about the tour also gives them enough time to plan their activities with that in mind. Thus, they can postpone anything that may get in the way of the factory tour, as well as any projects a tour might interrupt. So, let them know at least two weeks before the big day — that way, they won’t feel blindsided.

If someone wants any of their employees to talk to visitors and share their experiences, make sure to let them know on time. They ought to prepare themselves for the part they will play in the presentation. For example, they might need time to gather and organize some information the visitors could ask them to provide. And even the most eloquent people can sometimes get tongue-tied if they are suddenly put on the spot. That is why it is best to notify employees well in advance.

4. Prepare information booklets

If someone wants their visitors to remember their factory tour longer, prepare information booklets for them. Hand them out at the start of the tour or give them as gifts at the very end. That way, the company will come off even more professional and prepared, and this good impression will linger for a while.

People can choose all kinds of information to put in a booklet, of course. But in most cases, someone should include some basic information about the company, financial stats and details about the products and services. Adding a few pictures might be a good idea, too — it’ll make a booklet that much more engaging.

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Why and How to Conduct a Factory Tour

By Hale Foote, Scandic Springs

Reposted with permission of Springs  magazine, a publication of the Spring Manufacturers Institute (www.smihq.org).

Should you consider opening the doors of your manufacturing facility to visitors? And if the answer is “yes,” how can you best conduct a tour of the plant?

Why Let the World In?

Having visitors come to your manufacturing facility offers a unique opportunity to present the business in a favorable way. When properly planned and executed, it is among our company’s most potent sales tools.

Most sales in a technical field like ours involve plenty of education. An engineer needs to learn whether your capabilities are suited to the project; a buyer wants to make sure your business processes are up to the task. Spending time together in the factory lets them learn all they need to satisfy their requirements, and the factory setting provides a much richer environment, compared to a meeting over lunch or most email or telephone interactions.

Even when the visitors don’t have a specific part they are trying to source, we look at factory tours as effective marketing. Many times I have had a visitor exclaim something like: “I knew you were a spring company, but I now see that you also do tooling and stamping. My project has a new stamping, too.” Seeing our wide range of processes very often leads to more work from an existing customer.

We host several different types of visitors who are not customers at all, or at least not yet. These long- range prospects include engineering students and their professors from Stanford and Berkeley; Scandic is now established as part of their engineering curriculum, helping with senior design projects and giving free samples of materials. I have been invited to lecture and to participate in roundtable programs there, which I think of as leveraging the marketing impact of the plant tour.

We have even invited Boy Scout troops and high school manufacturing clubs (start them young!) to tour our facility. Some of these kids are future engineers and customers, and I feel the exposure also gets the word out about manufacturing as a career choice. One of our most unusual tours was a Family Day for employees’ families, with all the machines running. I overheard one say “it’s the first time in 25 years that my family has seen what I do for a living,” and his pride was obvious.

I am often asked about confidentiality concerns regarding customer identities and their information. Like many manufacturers today, we have nondisclosure agreements with most of our customers. My advice is simply to keep prints and specs covered; if there is a particularly sensitive part or process running, shut it down beforehand and don’t dwell in that area of the plant. Before we start, I ask visitors to respect the privacy of the information, and remind them that their data will be treated the same.

How to Structure an Effective Tour

Manufacturing plants can be complex and overwhelming to a first-time visitor. I have learned the hard way that a little preparation can make all the difference in a tour. First, what time of day is best? Consider your production shift schedule; most visitors will want to see machines in action and observe how your operation works, which is difficult outside of production hours. But be very aware of both safety and cleanliness: safety because that is paramount for everyone, and housekeeping because a dirty restroom can spoil an otherwise positive impression. Keeping the plant in a visitor-ready state contributes to safety, too. And consider whether distributing safety glasses is prudent.

Spend some time to rehearse your presentation until you get comfortable. Think about the message you want to send: Are you trying to demonstrate overall competency, or do you need to show expertise in forming a kind of part that this particular visitor needs?

Who should conduct the tour? It depends on the type of visitor, and what you are trying to convey. An account manager often handles a general introductory tour. A visitor with a specific design challenge will benefit from an engineering-focused tour given by a sales engineer or engineering manager. These kinds of visitors might concentrate their time in the area of the plant which would produce the part under consideration.

Note that a quality audit is a very different kind of visit, primarily involving your QA staff and concentrating on documentation and process controls. Quality audits are usually driven by the visitor’s checklist.

Plan the direction of flow, and try walking it to see where you can stop to talk safely. In our plant, where jobs are constantly being setup and torn down, I find it useful to review the production area right before visitors arrive to know what is interesting today and what areas to avoid.

Starting and ending in the conference room is useful but not essential. But be sure to pass through your well-organized shipping area. I can tell visitors that we ship about one million parts every month, but it is more effective for them to see the bar-coded boxes lined up to ship to locations around the world.

Because Scandic has five production departments (coiling, tooling, fourslide, punch press, secondary ops) we point out synergies between departments, such as: “These parts are blanked on this waterjet, and you can see them being formed on the brake press over there.” This kind of narrative will help you from forgetting to mention an important area. But recognize that for a new visitor, some processes are sexier than others; I have to tear people away from watching the CNC wireforming machines!

If you have a large group, break into smaller teams. Generally four to six is the maximum workable size per team, at least in our plant. Even with small groups, remember that the tour guide should enunciate toward the visitors, not to the machine! You don’t need to stare at the loud punch press while you describe it: direct your voice towards the listeners, and be conscious of noise levels. One technique is to introduce a process while standing away from a noisy work center, then allow visitors to approach closer (if safe). It’s even more interesting to visitors if you can pass around a warm part fresh off the machine. Engineers especially love to hold a progression strip and figure out for themselves how the part is being stamped. If your parts are small, send visitors home with samples; it helps to prolong their experience.

Finally, remember that people are the company’s greatest ambassadors. Identify department supervisors and/or line workers who are good spokespeople, and let visitors speak with them directly. The best salesperson is never as convincing as the technician who has mastered a process. Some operators enjoy demonstrating their skill, and having them describe their area to visitors lets them shine. It also demonstrates the depth of knowledge throughout the company, and your visitors will remember that more than the “sales talk.”

In a time when most communication is electronic, an in-plant visit delivers a powerful message about what we have to offer. Tours by prospects, current customers, and even members of the community are a great way to market the business. Plant tours can showcase capabilities that even an existing customer might not know about, but planning and preparation are essential to make the visit worthwhile.

About the Author: Hale Foote is the President of Scandic Springs, Inc. Scandic is the largest spring and stamping company in Northern California, making custom metal parts for companies in the medical, automotive and aerospace fields worldwide. He has used Scandic to work with students and teachers at local schools and universities to promote careers in manufacturing. He is also on the board of directors of Manex and other nonprofits. Before joining Scandic, he practiced law in Washington, DC.  

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August 16, 2023 August 16, 2023 By 360 Virtual Tour

A factory virtual tour is a digital representation of a manufacturing facility or industrial plant created using technology like 360-degree photography, 3D scanning , or virtual reality. This virtual tour allows viewers to explore the factory's various areas, machinery, processes, and facilities remotely, providing an immersive and interactive experience. Here's how a factory virtual tour works and its potential benefits:

How a Factory Virtual Tour Works:

• Data Capture : Specialized cameras or 3D scanners capture images or scans of different sections of the factory, including production areas, machinery, assembly lines, storage, and more.
• Data Stitching and Processing : The captured images or scans are processed and stitched together to create a cohesive and navigable virtual environment.
• Interactive Navigation : Users can explore the factory virtually by navigating through the different areas using on-screen controls. They can move in all directions to get a comprehensive view.
• Information Hotspots : Interactive hotspots can be added to provide details about specific machinery, processes, safety protocols, and other relevant information.
• Annotations : Annotations or text descriptions can highlight key features, machinery specifications, or production stages.

Benefits of a Factory Virtual Tour:

• Remote Exploration : Stakeholders, clients, investors, or potential partners can virtually visit the factory from anywhere, overcoming geographical limitations.
• Realistic Representation : The virtual tour accurately represents the factory's layout, machinery, and facilities, providing a clear understanding of the operational environment.
• Process Understanding : Viewers can gain insights into manufacturing processes, workflow, and production stages.
• Training and Education : Virtual tours can be used for employee training, showcasing safety protocols, equipment usage, and best practices.
• Transparency : Virtual tours can build transparency and trust by providing an authentic view of the factory's operations.
• Remote Collaboration : Engineers, designers, and other professionals can collaborate remotely by exploring and discussing factory setups and processes.
• Marketing and Promotion : Factory tours can be embedded on the company's website or shared on social media platforms, enhancing marketing efforts and customer engagement.
• Visitor Preview : Potential visitors or clients can preview the factory environment before scheduling a physical visit.
• Historical Documentation : Virtual tours can serve as an archival record of the factory's layout and processes at a specific point in time.
• Safety and Compliance : Virtual tours can be used to demonstrate compliance with safety regulations and industry standards.

A factory virtual tour can be particularly beneficial for manufacturing companies looking to showcase their facilities to clients, partners, investors, or for educational purposes. It offers a dynamic and engaging way to provide insights into the inner workings of a factory without the need for physical presence.

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The Importance of Visiting the Manufacturer

• Mechanical Equipment
• September 26, 2016

AAON, ClimateCraft, LG, CDI, Ruskin, Titus, and Cook all offer tours of their manufacturing facilities. BCS regularly visits all of our factories and we would love for you to join us.

So, what are you waiting for? Here are the top five reasons you should consider a visit:

1. A Picture is only worth 1000 words.

A lot can get lost in translation. A product’s physical attributes like material quality and construction are easily seen at the factory. While design concepts don’t always translate through diagrams and photos, in-person discussion while looking at an actual unit, can be very powerful when it comes to having a better understanding. In addition, seeing how the equipment is built could make servicing in the future easier to perform.

If a picture is worth 1000 words, the experience of seeing and touching a product is worth more than a thousand pictures.

2. You can’t cover everything in program data or cataloged info.

You have the opportunity to see items not featured online or in the catalog. Our manufacturers are always working on special projects. Being at the factory allows you to see their flexibility and ability to adapt to unique applications first hand.

3. You’ve got questions, they’ve got answers.

Factory tours give you a chance to have questions answered directly by factory personnel. The manufacturer gleans deeper insight into customer needs which can cause product changes and innovation.

The introduction to manufacturing contacts could also be beneficial for answering future questions. An open dialog is always the best way to a solution.

4. A day away from the daily grind can lead to new insights and renewed focus in your job.

Let’s face it. We are all worn out. Let us help.

Depending on the time you have available, we can make factory visits surprisingly short, while still giving you the full benefit. If you’re more interested in planning a slower paced trip with some built in downtime, we’re always looking out for additional activities to attend where our factories are located. Either way, our trips always include plenty of good food, fun, and great conversation.

5. There’s always something new

If you have already been to one of our factories, don’t worry, we’d love to take you again. There’s always something new for you to see if it’s been more than a few months since your last visit. With new and innovative products always being designed and tested, you never know what you’ll see!

Ready to go? Book a trip today!  Contact us  to let us know what you want to see!

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• There is much to be gained from taking your investors and customers to your manufacturing facility.
• With a bit of work and planning, you should be able to set up a great tour for your customers and investors.

Whether you organize them for customers or investors, company tours can be an excellent way to showcase your professionalism and establish a bond with your audience. Many business owners understand that now, gladly giving tours to all interested parties. However, even when they do, one area tends to often be avoided or overlooked — the manufacturing facility.

Now, that’s not too surprising. After all, manufacturing facilities are noisy, large, and these tours take lots of planning and preparation. Still, there is much to be gained from taking your investors and customers to your manufacturing facility . Let’s take a closer look.

How Manufacturing Facility Tours Work As Marketing Tools

It may come to you as a surprise to hear that most suppliers, customers, and investors appreciate manufacturing facility tours. They present a unique opportunity to see where your products are made, what the process looks like, and how you handle everything. In a way, touring your manufacturing facility can make your audience feel like they know and understand you better.

And do you know what marketing is all about? Well, building relationships and a sense of familiarity with the audience. Your manufacturing facility tour would serve this exact purpose, proving to be one of the best marketing tools at your disposal.

Just think about it — do you prefer to invest in or buy products that come from a source you know or to have faith in something you understand nothing about? Most people, probably including you, would agree with the former. The same goes for your investors, customers, and suppliers — they want to feel like they can trust you.

On top of that, a clean and efficient manufacturing facility can greatly improve your audience’s impression of your company. Investors will be more willing to invest when they see their money is going into something worthwhile. Similarly, customers will be more likely to stay loyal if they know you have nothing to hide.

What’s more, a successful tour itself is sure to be impressive. After all, if you manage to present and explain everything even in such a busy, noisy environment, you’ll prove that you’re professional and resourceful.

How to Organize a Tour in Your Manufacturing Facility

Now that you see the benefits of giving a tour of your manufacturing facility, the question is only how to successfully organize it. As we said, that’s not at all simple — all the noise in the factory is sure to make it more difficult to talk. Still, there are ways to overcome these problems and organize an excellent tour. And here is what they are:

Use a High Noise Headset

When touring a noisy manufacturing facility, you have only one option — to shout and hope everyone hears you. That, of course, isn’t the best solution since those members of the group who stand further away are almost guaranteed not to understand anything. Yet, for a long time, it seemed that there was no other way.

Things have changed now, though. Now you can get high noise headsets for your tours and hand them out before you enter the facility. Thanks to these, even when you speak in your normal voice, everyone in the group will hear you clearly.

Unsurprisingly, that already drastically improves the experience. First of all, you won’t have to shout and strain your voice, which will help you sound more confident and collected. Instead of worrying if people can hear you, simply speak as you practiced, and you’ll surely get your point across.

What’s more, your audience won’t have to strain to hear or fight for a spot closest to you. Instead, they can comfortably spread out and still listen to you speak. Thanks to the noise-canceling features of the headsets, they will surely hear your every word.

Don’t Restrict Your Audience’s Movements Entirely

Of course, letting the tour participants wander wherever they want is out of the question. Some areas are out of bounds, and that’s perfectly fine. However, you should allow them at least some degree of freedom to look around or even touch things. That way, they’ll stay interested in your presentation longer and remember it better.

So, before you start the tour, tell them where they can and can’t go and what they can and can’t touch. Then you can do your tour in peace as you walk around, without fear that someone will get hurt or break something.

Don’t Promote Your Brand Too Much

Your tour may serve as a marketing tool, but that doesn’t mean you have to promote your brand every chance you get. Such obvious advertising can be quite off-putting and may do more damage than good.

What you want to do instead is promote your company by giving interesting facts and information, and showing how things work. Explain what your business stands for and its mission, show your vision and focus on your relationships with customers and employees. That’s sure to be far more engaging and create an overall positive impression of your company.

In Conclusion

Ultimately, with a bit of work and planning, you should be able to set up a great tour for your customers and investors. Of course, a manufacturing facility tour is almost impossible to have without high noise headsets for your audience. You’ll have to provide those, but view them as an investment. After all, tours of this kind can only help elevate your company’s reputation.

__________________________________________________________________

Author: Rick Farrell, President, Plant-Tours.com

Rick is North America’s foremost expert in improving manufacturing group communication, education, training and group hospitality processes. He has over 40 years of group hospitality experience, most recently serving as President of Plant-Tours.com for the last 18 years.  He has provided consulting services with the majority of Fortune 500 industrial corporations improving group communication dynamics of all types in manufacturing environments. 

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Why Make a Factory Visit in 2024?

A factory tour? No, thank you. What would I be doing in a factory? That’s a question most people might pose when faced with the prospect of visiting a manufacturing facility. After all, there are seemingly better things to do, right?

Well, if you’re an entrepreneur or a seller developing a new product, it might be time to reconsider. Factory tours are no longer just an option; they’re becoming a valuable necessity. In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s easy to dismiss the idea, but those who have delved into the world behind factory doors have discovered the undeniable benefits.

Just a month ago, we embarked on a journey of discovery, venturing into the heart of manufacturing. The experience was nothing short of eye-opening as we witnessed the intricacies of the production process, experienced moments of awe, and gained a newfound appreciation for the hard work that goes into creating our favorite products.

So are there any benefits?

Well, to help you overcome any skepticism and see if you’ll accept your next supplier invite, we’ve compiled our list of the top 6 benefits of taking a factory tour with you and your busy diary in mind… take a look, discover what makes these visits not just worthwhile but indispensable and see for yourself the benefits they can bring to your project.

Let’s start:

• Understanding the Production Process One of the primary advantages of a factory visit is gaining an in-depth understanding of the production process. Seeing the manufacturing journey of your products firsthand provides invaluable insights. It goes beyond theoretical knowledge, allowing you to comprehend the intricacies, technologies, and skills involved. This intimate knowledge empowers you as a seller, enabling you to make informed decisions and improve your product.
• Building a Personal Connection In a world dominated by digital communication, there’s immense value in establishing a personal connection. Meeting the faces behind the production line, interacting with the workers, and understanding the ethos of the factory creates a stronger bond. This connection is not just with the products but with the people who craft them. It adds a human touch to your business relationships, fostering trust and reliability.
• Quality Assurance in Real Time While certifications and assurances are crucial, witnessing the production process in real-time adds an extra layer of confidence. You can assess the quality control measures, the precision of machinery, and the adherence to international standards. This firsthand knowledge allows you to make real-time decisions, ensuring the quality of your products meets the standards you desire.
• Problem-solving and Collaboration No matter how well-documented a manufacturing process is, challenges can arise. Being physically present in the factory allows you to address issues promptly and collaborate on solutions. This immediate problem-solving capability is a game-changer, preventing potential setbacks and ensuring a smoother production flow.
• Enhancing Communication and Negotiation Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful partnerships. A factory visit facilitates clearer communication between you and your supplier. It eliminates misunderstandings that may arise from remote interactions. Moreover, negotiating terms and conditions becomes more effective when conducted face-to-face. The nuances of negotiation are better understood, leading to more favorable agreements for both parties.

Preparing for Your Factory Adventure? Key Considerations and Questions

So, before you lace up your shoes and step into the world of manufacturing, it’s essential to ask yourself some crucial questions. Planning and preparation are key to maximizing the benefits of your factory tour. What questions do you consider before making a  pre-factory tour? Let’s discuss:

• Define Your Objectives: What Do You Aim to Achieve? Before packing your bags, clearly define your objectives for the factory tour. Are you seeking a better understanding of the production process, looking for areas of improvement, or evaluating the factory’s capabilities? By outlining your goals, you can tailor your questions and observations during the tour to align with your specific objectives.
• Research Your Supplier: What Do You Already Know? Prior knowledge about your supplier is invaluable. Conduct thorough research on the factory you plan to visit. Understand their history, reputation, and any recent developments. This background knowledge not only enhances your engagement during the tour but also enables you to ask more informed questions about their processes and practices.
• How Much Time Can I Allocate? Time is a precious commodity, and factory tours can vary in duration. Consider your schedule and allocate sufficient time for each visit. Balance the depth of exploration with the practicality of your timeline, ensuring that you can glean valuable insights without compromising other business commitments.
• What Information Do I Need? Before stepping foot in a factory, arm yourself with relevant information. This includes background information on the manufacturer, key products, recent developments, and any specific questions or concerns you may have. Preparing a list of information you need ensures that your visit is focused and productive.
• What Documentation Should I Bring? Having the right documentation can enhance the effectiveness of your factory tour. Bring along any relevant product specifications, quality standards, and contractual agreements. This not only serves as a reference during discussions but also communicates your commitment to quality and professionalism.
• How Will I Document the Visit? Consider how you’ll document your factory tour. Whether it’s through notes, photos, or videos, capturing the experience allows for future reference and sharing insights with your team. Ensure that your chosen method aligns with the confidentiality and security policies of the factory.
• What Questions Should I Ask During the Tour? Craft a list of questions tailored to your objectives. Ask about production processes, quality control measures, lead times, and any potential challenges or improvements. Engaging in thoughtful and targeted questions demonstrates your dedication to understanding the manufacturing intricacies.
• How Will I Ensure Cultural Sensitivity? If you’re visiting factories in different countries, cultural sensitivity is paramount. Familiarize yourself with local customs, etiquette, and business practices. Being culturally aware fosters positive interactions and prevents unintentional misunderstandings during your tour.
• Prepare Your Questions: What Do You Want to Learn? Compile a list of specific questions you want to ask during the factory tour. These could range from details about the production process to the factory’s approach to sustainability. Having a structured list ensures that you cover all aspects relevant to your objectives.
• What Follow-Up Steps Will I Take? Your factory tour doesn’t end when you leave the premises. Consider the follow-up steps you’ll take. This may involve sending thank-you notes, addressing any concerns raised during the tour, or initiating further discussions on collaboration. A well-thought-out post-tour strategy ensures that the insights gained are translated into actionable steps.

By considering these factors and asking yourself these essential questions, you’ll be well-prepared to embark on your factory adventure. A thoughtful and strategic approach ensures that your factory tour is not just a visit but a transformative experience that contributes to the success of your business.

So, why make a factory visit in 2024? The answer lies in unlocking the secrets behind production, building connections, ensuring quality, solving problems, and enhancing communication.

In a world where personalization and authenticity are valued more than ever, a factory tour is not just a tour; it’s a strategic investment in the success of your business. As we discovered in our recent journey, the benefits extend far beyond what meets the eye. Take the leap, open those factory doors, and witness the magic behind the scenes firsthand.

Find out more about our custom-guided tour services and if you’re interested in taking some factory tours yourself, schedule a call with us to discuss your factory trip! Your products, your business, and your journey to success will thank you.

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Breaking news, which snl cast members are on tour in 2024 see will ferrell, martin short.

On Saturday, Sept. 28, “Saturday Night Live” will officially begin its highly-anticipated 50th season.

Over its half-century on the air, the venerated variety show has redefined the rules of comedy, amassed 103 Emmy Awards, and catapulted countless Not Ready For Primetime Players to stardom.

We’re talking Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, and Tina Fey to name just a few of the many icons that have graced Lorne Michaels’ historic 8H stages.

They’re not all, though.

In total, as of September 2024, 167 (!) repertory cast members and featured players have officially been part of the show’s ensemble at some point from Season 1 to 50.

And, given that they’re all comedians, quite a few of them are taking their talents on the road this year and next.

Based on our findings, Chevy Chase is screening “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” at venues all over North America in November and December, Sarah Silverman has a massive stand-up tour already underway, Martin Short will take the stage with Steve Martin on their ‘Dukes of Funnytown Tour’ next month, Seth Meyers regularly co-headlines a residency at New York City’s Beacon Theatre with John Oliver and David Spade gigs all year long.

Heck, even Will Ferrell ‘s DJ’ing a show with Swedish House Mafia in Chicago this October.

Plus, former writer Simon Rich is putting on “All In,” a Broadway play based on his short stories, starring John Mulaney , Fred Armisen, Jimmy Fallon, Aidy Bryant, Chloe Fineman, Tim Meadows and more this December.

Don’t forget the rumored, star-studded Feb. 16 Radio City SNL extravaganza, either.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, too.

If it’s always been your dream to catch an “SNL” hero of yours in person — regardless of which era is your favorite — here’s how you can see 39 of the 167 “SNL” alum live from wherever you may be this year and next including a Senator ( Al Franken ) and an Oscar winner ( Robert Downey Jr. ).

‘SNL’ stars on tour in 2024-25

To keep things organized, cast members are listed chronologically from when they started their tenure on the show.

Chevy Chase 1975-76

Screening “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” from Nov. 22 through Dec. 29

Al Franken 1979-80, 1988-95

Touring Oct. 10 through Feb. 3, 2025

Harry Shearer 1979-80, 1984-85

One Christmas show with Judith Owens on Dec. 17

Martin Short 1984-85

Touring with Steve Martin from Oct. 4 through Nov. 16

Robert Downey Jr. 1985-86

Acting in “McNeal” on Broadway from Sept. 27 through Nov. 24

Anthony Michael Hall 1985-86

One show on Oct. 4

Jon Lovitz 1985-90

Touring from Oct. 25 through Dec. 21

Kevin Nealon 1986-95

Touring from Sept. 27 through April 6, 2025

Rob Schneider 1990-94

Touring from Sept. 27 through April 12, 2025

David Spade 1990-96

Touring from Sept. 27 through Nov. 23; co-headlining with Nikki Glaser on select dates

Tim Meadows 1991-2000

Touring from Sept. 27 through Dec. 28

Sarah Silverman 1993-94

Touring from Sept. 28 through Feb. 1, 2025

Jay Mohr 1993-95

Touring from Oct. 26 through Nov. 16

Janeane Garofalo 1994-95

Touring from Oct. 2 through Dec. 11

Will Ferrell 1995-2002

DJ’ing one show with Swedish House Mafia in Chicago on Oct. 26

Jim Breuer 1995-98

Touring from Nov. 1 through Dec. 6

David Koechner 1995-96

Touring from Oct. 4 through Dec. 30

Tracy Morgan 1996-2003

Touring from Sept. 27 through March 8, 2025

Chris Kattan 1996-2003

Touring from Oct. 4 through Nov. 30

Ana Gasteyer 1996-2002

Touring from Dec. 4-18

Colin Quinn 1996-2000

Touring from Nov. 29-30

Seth Meyers 2001-14

Co-headlining at NYC’s Beacon Theatre residency with John Oliver from Oct. 20 through May 18, 2025

Finesse Mitchell 2003-06

Touring from Nov. 8 through Jan. 10, 2025

Jenny Slate 2009-10

Touring from Oct. 22-30

Taran Killam 2010-16

Acting in “Urinetown” on Broadway starting in 2025

Jay Pharoah 2010-16

Touring from Sept. 28 through Jan. 19, 2025

Brooks Wheelan 2013-14

Touring from Nov. 15-16

Leslie Jones 2014-19

Touring from Sept. 27 through Nov. 22

Jon Rudnitsky 2015-16

Touring from Oct. 1 through Dec. 12

Melissa Villasenor 2016-22

Touring from Nov. 7 through April 12, 2025

Chris Redd 2017-22

Touring Sept. 29 through Dec. 7

Luke Null 2017-18

One show on Oct. 9

Heidi Gardner with Ego Nwodim 2017-present; 2018-present

One show on Oct. 22

Punkie Johnson 2020-24

Touring from Sept. 28 through Nov. 24

Andrew Dismukes 2020-present

One show on Nov. 21

Sarah Sherman 2021-present

One show on Nov. 19

Michael Longfellow 2022-present

Touring from Nov. 21-23

Molly Kearney 2022-24

One show on Jan. 9, 2025

SNL writers on tour

We knew you’d stick around for the five to 1.

Since you stuck around, here are six (!) of the show’s writers who have become stars in their own rights that you can see in the next couple of months.

•  John Mulaney

•  Larry David

•  Julio Torres

•   Dave Attell

•  J.B. Smoove

•  Sam Jay

Need even more comedy in your life? Check out our list of the 107 biggest comedians on tour in 2024 to find the show for you.

Also! Make sure you don’t sleep on the 2024 New York Comedy Festival either.

Why you should trust ‘Post Wanted’ by the New York Post

This article was written by Matt Levy , New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.

Film Splitting Trimmer 16mm to 2×8mm (Cyrillic version)

1970s, the mechanical factory of krasnogorsk, ussr.

Film Splitting Trimmer 16mm to 2×8mm (export version)

1965, Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast, USSR

1963, Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast, USSR

KMZ Horizont Panoramic Camera

1969, krasnogorsk, moscow oblast, ussr.

1975, Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast

1952, Krasnogorsk, Moscow Oblast

KMZ Horizon 205 Panoramic Camera Prototype

Zorki 250 Reporter