Reshoring Optimism

By effectively consolidating its 105,000 sq. ft. shop, TCI Precision Metals created 20,000 sq.ft. of additional manufacturing capacity.

Gardena, California-based TCI Precision Metals is ready for reshoring. The company recently announced a major shopfloor reconfiguration to free up manufacturing space for the influx on new business coming back to the U.S. from overseas.TCI was founded in 1956 and is a third-generation family business. It specializes in machine-ready precision blanks from aluminum, stainless and other materials for metalworking shops. It also provides contract manufacturing services, and it is in this area of the business that the reshoring is having an impact.

According to the company, contract manufacturers and job shops must provide the extended value necessary for OEMs to realize sustained benefits of onshore manufacturing versus offshore. That’s been the driver for TCI to reconfigure its shop floor, which has freed up 20,000 square feet for value added operations, including sub and final assembly.

Evaluating work flow, reducing bottle necks and rationalizing cellular and other in-process opportunities helped the company generate the additional manufacturing floor space with its 105,000-square-foot building. By “moving the furniture around,” the investment is significantly lower than building on or building new.

It may be worth noting for other shops that there may be such opportunities within one's existing plant. Click here to learn more about TCI.