Moving Beyond Competition – to Cooperation

One of the trends that’s accelerating in our business, both in the U.S. and Canada, is the reliance on two or three-way vendor teams for jobs of all types.  These alliances support and cooperate with each other, share job information and can change roles with each job.

One of our first alliances began in 1959 with Alvey Conveyor Company in St. Louis.  We were new in business and they had received a contract to supply equipment for the finished goods department at Hiram Walker here in Windsor.  We were hired to do all of the installation on that program.

R.J. Cyr Co.  continues to serve Hiram Walker in various capacities.  Most recently, we rebuilt a case packaging line, supplying both our own and Mathews Conveyor equipment.

Another partnership that has worked well is the one we enjoy with Dearborn Fabricating and Engineering Co.

In one instance, a three-way partnership worked to the benefit of Ford’s Engine plant here in Windsor where, as sub to Dearborn Fab, we installed a block delivery overhead power and free system between the block machining and new engine assembly areas.  Design Systems Canada provided the system layout.

The installation was scheduled during off-only shifts over a six-month period while the plant continued operation on a parallel system.  The final tie from the existing block machining area took place, with all parties involved, during last year’s July shutdown.

Manufacturers with engineering resources generally work for a plant directly, but because of budget streamlining at conveyor OEMs, they’re now subbing to those conveyor companies.  We at Cyr have supported Anchor, Webb, Hayden, Litton Industries, Link Belt and others on a project basis, and know of numerous other instances that are similar.

In yet another version, a manufacturing company wants to joint venture and share expertise in pursuit of new product development.  This was the case with “Mon-Cyr” Scrubber, a partnered venture between R.J. Cyr Co.  and Montrose Engineering for a special air pollution control system.  They contributed engineering; we provided fabrication , start-up and installation, along with marketing support.  It currently has two major installations to its credit.

The combinations of “who does what” are many, but the reasons these arrangements are on the increase are common.  Dollars are tight and duplication of effort is the line item everyone wants to eliminate.  As plant operations become more sophisticated, more specialists are required – and there are more kinds of specialists.  All are needed on a short-term basis.  Services such as simulation are increasingly desirable, even for small jobs, but the number of firms who own the latest tools and upgrades is limited.

The answer, for every company pursuing long-term success, is moving beyond old-style competition, to cooperation.

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 Mathews Conveyor distributor serving Canadian and American companies from our offices and factories in Windsor, Ontario Canada and Detroit, Michigan U.S.