FOM CNC MACHINING BLOG
Over the past several years, CNC machining materials have faced a series of market shifts, from price volatility to supply uncertainty. What began with COVID-era supply chain disruptions continued through inflation and tariffs, and now many people are wondering what’s next.
At Focused on Machining, we’re always looking for proactive investments in technology, both big and small, that allow us to be a better manufacturing partner to our customers. One recent upgrade was the integration of CIMCO probing technology, which has had a significant impact on our tight-tolerance machining.
In today’s world, customer expectations across nearly all industries have changed as a result of what many call the “Amazon model.” Buyers expect to easily find the lowest price, click a button, and receive their product with minimal friction. And this approach has, in part, led to the rise of online manufacturing marketplaces, which take your RFQ and connect your project with an available supplier in their network.
Blanket orders are a critical tool for many buyers, ensuring predictable pricing, efficient volume, and guaranteed capacity. At Focused on Machining, we specialize in contract manufacturing services, including blanket orders in areas like aerospace machining.
Every year, we conduct a customer survey to ensure we’re meeting customer expectations in areas like communication, quality, and delivery. In our most recent survey, the responses were positive across the board, with nearly every customer segment satisfied. One customer segment stood out with particularly strong feedback: tier-one OEMs.
When you’re evaluating a manufacturing partner, there’s a long checklist to consider, from precision machining capabilities to certifications to quality control systems. These criteria often appear in audits or new customer interviews, and we’re proud to meet stringent requirements in all of these areas. But once the boxes are checked, how do you evaluate what can’t be captured in a spreadsheet?
Contract manufacturing offers significant advantages for companies that need consistent part production over an extended period of time. These agreements can reduce costs by offering customers pricing at scale and minimizing administrative tasks. However, the cost savings of contract manufacturing can disappear quickly if you don’t choose the right precision machine shop as a partner.