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Jackson area manufacturers convene to showcase their businesses, share ideas
by Caitlin Schneider | Jackson Citizen Patriot
Wednesday August 12, 2009, 2:43 PM
Local manufacturers convened at Kopplin Controls, 881 Rosehill Road, Wednesday to showcase their businesses and gather information on what services their peers have to offer.
Eleven companies set up tables with models and written information. Kopplin President Greg Hanna said the event had a basic premise: “Getting manufacturers to talk to other manufacturers.”
As Lee Tharp and two coworkers surveyed T&T Services’ display booth, T&T owner Tim LeBel engaged them almost immediately.
“You’re dying to ask questions, I know you are,” said LeBel.
T&T Services is a company from Rochester Hills that connects manufacturers with potential customers. Their table was full of gadgets with flashing lights and a variety of small pieces of equipment.
After talking with LeBel, Tharp said it’s important for his company, Scott Machine, 4025 Morrill Road, to communicate with other manufacturers, especially ones that are local. He said learning about the products and services of nearby companies is a convenient way to fulfill the many needs of a machining company.
“We’ve been surprised by what we’ve seen here,” he said.
Kopplin salesman Joe Phillips helped organized the event and said while all the participating manufacturers had a history with Kopplin, they were surprised to discover all the things they didn’t know about their business partners. Though surprised, Phillips said that was part of the point of the event.
“We wanted to bring everybody we’ve done business with together and just see where it leads,” he said.
Don Offerle of Kaman Industrial Technologies drove from Fort Wayne, Ind., to talk with Jackson manufacturers. He said Kaman’s business has dropped about 25 percent in the last year, and with the economy, networking is particularly vital.
“Anytime you get a chance to talk with potential customers — show them your stuff and what you do — it’s always a good thing,” he said.