Demanding More – and Getting It

Automotive’s quality revolution has brought radical change throughout the industry.  Where once quality was a competitive factor, today it merely puts a product in the running for a customer’s business.  Clearly, consumers regard “zero defect” automobiles as their birthright.

Our mission at R.J. Cyr Co.  is to design, manufacture, and install systems that make those quality levels a reality.  In fact, the tolerances we work to were considered impossible – or, at least unrealistic – just ten years ago.

We also have to respond more quickly, particularly during critical seasons such as summer and holiday shut-downs.  In the past, when car companies produced high volumes of the same models, planning was far simpler for both them and us.  Today, niche marketing, and the lightning-speed at which consumer tastes change, have created an environment where more must be achieved in far less time.  We’ve had to become far more agile in virtually every facet of our business.

There’s more.  Prior to the 1980’s, R.J. Cyr Co.  served primarily as a subcontractor.  That’s changed too.  Today, in addition to our stable “sub” business, we’re often expected to accept general contractor responsibilities, share a job with a competitor, even on occasion, hire in as a sub the very same companies for whom we’re working in that capacity elsewhere.  The bottom line is that we must have a far greater and more in-depth knowledge of a greater number of specialties than ever before.

To satisfy our customer’s demands for accountability, precisely detailed “scope of work” documents are mandatory.  An engineering marvel in their own right, these documents are used by us for resource management and by our customers for cost control.  Both goals are important as we and our customers become more “partners” than parties to a business dealing.

“Partnership” is what guides most of our relationships today.  Price is still a factor, service is still a factor.  Butplant managers – particularly the more savvy among them –want more than a vendor.  They want predictability, consistent quality and the knowledge that their vendor decision won’t come back to haunt them.

Interestingly, none of the changes I’ve described could have come into being to this extent without massive computerization.  We take it for granted that computers support product and plant designers, run automated manufacturing systems, broadcast build requirements and produce the documentation customers demand.  But today, at Cyr and elsewhere, they do much more still. 

Software systems now in place at Cyr allow us to scan files and extract the most minute details on projects.  This allows us to identify cost overruns, prepare more precise estimates and analyze the accuracy of our past bidding activities.  As a result, all of us are better prepared – and better able to serve customers.

Advanced information systems also allow us to help customers evaluate the true life-cycle costs of equipment installed long ago.  Ten years ago, we were virtually alone in advocating closed track, Unified bridge cranes.  Today, long-term Cyr customers, and others, use them routinely.

One reason we favored this design was that our engineers and installers could project how important, over time, their lighter weight, quieter operation and, we believed, lesser maintenance would become.  Their purchase price was higher – but life cycle costs are what matter – and fortunately we had the tools that could validate our predictions.

Today – and more keenly tomorrow – what will set companies apart is their ability to use the best available information as a tool for constructive change.  We at Cyr call it “Innovention” – innovating ideas and products, that accomplish customer goals in a way that’s better, and faster, with fewer workers, and with greatest long-term flexibility.

CONVEYORS | CRANES | DESIGN ENGINEERING | STEEL FABRICATION | INSPECTION, REPAIRS, INSTALLATION

R.J. CYR CO., INC.
Windsor, Ontario Canada
www.rjcyr.com

© R.J. CYR CO. INC.  All rights reserved.  We are a crane and conveyor manufacturer serving Canadian and American companies from our offices and factories in Windsor, Ontario Canada and Detroit, Michigan U.S.