The industrial changes which take place rapidly are the heart of the matter because every entrepreneur is looking for a better way to improve their productivity for global competitiveness. Mr. Fasai Pawanit, General Manager from Tungaloy Cutting Tool (Thailand) Co., Ltd. gives an interesting outlook regarding such changes in order to cope with the industries and how to provide service and support to customers in an integrated condition.
Q1: Nowadays what is the direction of the manufacturing industry?
We have to admit that the Industry 4.0 trend is coming and it is influencing the whole world. We need to realize that technology is important for our manufacturing effectiveness. Thailand is one of the countries with strength in many industries, especially in the automotive industry. However, we have to compete with others in terms of high cost of labor force. Our customers in Tier 1 and Tier 2 categories or suppliers do not compete just in Thailand but the competition can take place anywhere in the world. So, we cannot help our customers to success and compete against other companies if we just focus on how to improve the manufacturing effectiveness.
Q2: When the industries change, what has Tungaloy done with its working condition?
We have changed our working condition in several ways. In the past, we focused on “Improvement” in other words, we improved the manufacturing effectiveness of our customers. But now we provide service to our customers based on what we call “Turn Key Project”. When one of our customers wants a work sample and drawing, we will send them along with our analytical data for the whole manufacturing process. We provide the information regarding the suitable ways to work with the least number of steps, machines and how to design JIG & Fixture and find tools as well as design cutting tools to fit the work. We also do Tool Management and use Automation as Robot with the process. At the end of the manufacturing process, we calculate the appropriate Cycle Time so that our customers use the lowest budget and achieve the highest efficiency. We create a proposal to compare costs per part so that our customers can present and compete with others.
Q3: Why does Tungaloy need to do Turn Key Project for customers?
That is because we sell cutting tools which are consumables. Therefore, we must work hard alongside our customers as a kind of partner. Our mission is that we does not just sell cutting tools but we provide solutions which can make the most benefit to our customers so that our customers think of us first. We know that what our customers are worried about is the cost per part and how to make it worth manufacturing. Therefore, we do Turn Key Project in order to ensure our customers that it is our responsibility to make the whole project successful.
General Manager
Tungaloy Cutting Tool (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Q4: Does it mean that Tungaloy has a team of professional engineers to supervise each plant?
Of course, we have a team of professional engineers to give supervision in every manufacturing plant but we do not only rely on the personnel because we also use Tool Management system to automatically manage tools. Therefore, when we begin our project, the team of engineers from Tungaloy will supervise the manufacturing process alongside the engineers in the plant so that the work can be carried out. Later, a pre-set Matrix cabinet will be installed to manage tools. In each process, there will be Tool Life so that when inserts are used according to the Tool Life status, the operator can ask for new inserts at the right time. The Matrix will use new inserts and store records automatically and then send reports to Tungaloy directly. Therefore, when inserts or tools are running out, the system will give a notification so that we can replace new ones immediately. The plant can reduce steps with the personnel asking for new inserts and there is no need to worry that the tools will run out. There is no need to worry that the line of production has to stop abruptly and that there will be damage.
Q5: At this moment, what do you think is the factor which makes customers loyal to Tungaloy?
It is because we own the brand of Professional Cutting Tools which are imported from Japan. There are constant research and development and that is the reason why Tungaloy continues to offer new products. It is also a subsidiary of IMC Group. We have our own manufacturing plant for Special Tool in Thailand at AMATA Nakorn. So, we Tungaloy are sure that our tools can cover every cutting task in every working condition in every industry. It is not just about the output but it is also about high effectiveness, short amount of time and the best value for production cost.
