Attention to functional and aesthetic detail sets Fitze Engineers Ltd. apart from the average machining operation.

“Our typical customers have extremely high standards,” Michael continues. “After all, when you’re making parts for Indy Cars, Nascar Cup contenders, and world-class sports cars that contest Le Mans, people’s lives depend on the performance of every component. So product failure is simply not an option.”

The company carries this same perfectionist attitude to everything they make, including:

• Fiber optic cable components that rest on the ocean floor and connect to oil rigging platforms. Performance and ruggedness are key issues because if one of these parts fails, the minimum repair cost is $100,000.
• Precision needle guides for gas chromographs that allow laboratories to automatically analyze 50 samples without the need for a technician’s attention. While this equipment reduces lab labor costs, the results must be highly accurate, so the needle guides must work flawlessly.
• Orthopedic screws and pins, spinal implants, and other precision medical products must meet surgical standards for utility and finish.

So how does Fitze Engineers maintain these high standards and turn a profit in these highly competitive times? The answer is twofold.

“We only hire the ‘best of the best talent,” Fitzgerald explains. “Our machinists are highly skilled and are passionate about the quality of their work. Our challenge is to use their time as wisely as possible.”

That’s where technology makes a significant contribution. Fitze continuously reinvests in the latest machining equipment and accessories. But they recognize that even with the newest, fastest Swiss-type screw machines, Fitze cannot enjoy maximum productivity if their highly skilled machinists constantly load 12’ bar stock. That’s why every one of their machining operations includes an automatic bar feeding system from LNS America.

Fitzgerald said, “We just replaced a dozen Swiss-type screw machines with the latest high-speed versions. Every one of them is loaded by an LNS Express automatic bar feed, which means one worker can operate several machines simultaneously. This is especially important for second and third shifts so we can run virtually unattended. Fact is, without LNS Express automatic bar feeds, we couldn’t operate 24/7 with the output-per spindle and output per man-hour we need.”

In addition to the Express automatic bar feeds that serve their Swiss-type machines, Fitze also uses Quick Load Servo short load bar feeds and LNS Turbo chip conveyors for ten new machining centers. Then there is the new Alpha Series bar feed from LNS that is used for a special 1/8” diameter, 1-foot long part. “The Alpha series has a unique wormscrew design that solves this application's serious problem,” Fitzgerald explains. “Now we’re so efficient we even export this part to Shanghai for assembly. They can’t match our quality and finish or come close to our price in China.”

Fitzgerald admits that in addition to being good at business, it just feels great to beat the competition. It’s the competitive spirit that fuels Fitze Engineers passion for excellence. And the reason the company has a stake in the Highcroft Acura racing team (www.highdroftracing.com).

“Racing gets in your blood,” Michael Fitzgerald admits. “The same is true of pursuing excellence in your business. In both cases, it’s all about being faster, more skilled, and more efficient than your competitor. That’s why we have the most advanced machine tools coupled with reliable LNS bar feeds.”

“The hardest part,” Fitzgerald continues,“ is finding enough A-list people to operate them. We have a great team now, but our business continues to grow, and we need to find more machinists with the same skills and passion. We’re always looking for the ‘best of the best, and if you’re that great, we’ll find you something to do.”