Two Terre Haute Companies Find Partnership Beneficial in Tough Times
FOR RELEASE:
December 30, 2009
CONTACT:
David Ayers
(317) 554-6357 or (317) 502-8536
Westfield Steel and Vigo Machine work hand-in-hand, both succeed
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Westfield Steel and Vigo Machine may be located minutes away from each other, but close proximity isn’t the only reason theirs is a meaningful industrial relationship.
Vigo Machine, an industrial repair and material handling equipment fabricator, has been in business for 27 years, opening a second location in Terre Haute in 2005.
At around 30 employees, Vigo Machine is large enough to tackle “some pretty extensive projects,” said Owner Pat Michl, and a lot of those projects need to be in the warehouse one day and out the next to ensure customer satisfaction.
“We need a material quote the same day as we request it, and usually we will buy it the same day if we have an order. And, of course, the price needs to reflect the current market,” Michl said.
Enter Westfield Steel.
“I can usually get what I need from Westfield Steel with one call, at a competitive price and with next day delivery,” said Michl.
Vigo purchases structural iron, plate, bar grate and expanded metal from Westfield Steel, a steel service center based in Westfield, Ind., to turn out the products they are commissioned to create.
In today’s tough economy, such commercial partnerships are proving to be a valuable asset – for both Vigo Machine and Westfield Steel – in saving time and money during the production process.
This particular partnership has added value to the way Michl runs his business, allowing him to keep up with the competition and not tell customers ‘no.’
“That means ‘can I have it tomorrow?’ is seldom out of the question,” said Michl, “and we can’t promise that kind of service without a supplier behind us who can deliver. It’s a real edge.”
Despite the economic climate, Vigo Machine has seen sales double for three years running. But, Vigo has also managed to save five percent on steel by purchasing from the Westfield Steel plant in Terre Haute – agood profit when the cost of your product is 30 percent steel, said Michl.
“On a daily basis, we will request and receive help taking care of a customer with an immediate need. This service makes us the first stop for the customer who has an interruption in their production and needs back up fast,” Michl said. “We can only handle that pressure with a partner like Westfield Steel, with a warehouse full of material just up the street, and willing to jump through a hoop so we can get what we need.”
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