Dura-Bond Bearing Garners Class A Certification
6 December 1999
Dura-Bond Bearing Garners Class A Certification Consulting Firm Honors Nevada Company for Significant Improvements
CARSON CITY, Nev.--Dec. 3, 1999--Dura-Bond Bearing Company, a Nevada manufacturer of camshaft bearings and powder metal technology for valve seats in the automotive aftermarket, has earned the prestigious Class A certification by the Oliver Wight Company, a consulting firm that helps companies improve their business processes in order to compete more successfully. A presentation signifying the achievement was made at a dinner on December 2.Class A certification recognizes business excellence, as measured by the Oliver Wight ABCD Checklist for Operational Excellence. The award indicates that the company's operational and management processes are being utilized effectively to achieve a strong competitive footing. In gaining this certification Dura-Bond achieved significant improvements in product delivery, customer service, and product reliability.
According to Oliver Wight consultant Colleen Crum, "Dura-Bond has joined an elite group of manufacturing companies. Fewer than 1% of the 1,000 companies that have been certified as Class A are small companies such as Dura-Bond. More importantly, Dura-Bond is now positioned to see substantial sales revenue growth and to expand into new product areas." (Dura-Bond had sales of $8.7 million in the October 25, 1998, fiscal year.)
Dura-Bond began the drive towards Class A in 1998 at the same time that it sought ISO 9001 certification. A year later the company has achieved both, a noteworthy feat.
"My goal is to make Dura-Bond not a great cam bearing company but a great manufacturing company," indicated Dura-Bond president Chuck Barnett. "The Class A certification legitimizes our success. We're delighted to have achieved our goal and to have made the improvements we did. It's a testament to both our people and the assistance of the Oliver Wight company."
About Dura-Bond
Dura-Bond Bearing Company, Carson City, is the leading supplier of camshaft bearings for the automotive aftermarket and is developing its presence as a supplier of powder metal valve seats and shims for that same market.
Dura-Bond is a subsidiary of Owosso Corporation , King of Prussia, PA, a diversified manufacturer of engineered component products and specialized equipment. Owosso currently has manufacturing facilities in seven states and sells its products nationwide. Dura-Bond's successful Class A project is just one example of Owosso's efforts to achieve efficiencies and cost reductions through Supply Chain Management. To receive additional information on Owosso Corporation, via fax at no charge, dial 1-888-OWOS-010, or visit Owosso's website, www.owosso.com.
About Oliver Wight
Oliver Wight is a global firm of consultants and educators who help manufacturing organizations improve their planning and process control. Their objective is to enable managers to operate more effectively--in order to improve profitability and customer service. Oliver Wight blends consulting support and education to help its clients achieve ongoing improvements in delivery, costs, quality and flexibility. Oliver Wight has been helping companies achieve Class A Operational Excellence for more than 25 years. Oliver Wight Americas is headquartered in New London, NH. For more information about Oliver Wight, call 800-258-3862 or email info@ollie.com or visit our web site at www.ollie.com.