Lightweight Manufacturing

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm a project manager at a construction rental company.
 

What challenge were you trying to address with Lightweight Manufacturing?

Lightweight Manufacturing supplies engineering and structural design work as well as fabric for us.

What was the scope of their involvement?

For most of our projects, I send them an email with basic information to request an engineering quote. After Lightweight Manufacturing gets back to me with a response, we kick them off with a purchase order (PO) that includes their projected timeline and an engineering draft for the customer to approve. 

Subsequently, we do an accessory layout with the client to send back to Lightweight Manufacturing, and they provide a complete calculation package and engineering package. This process usually takes a couple of weeks. 

Once we give them approval from all site as well as the customer, we move on to the fabric portion of their company to order any materials or fabrication for specialty parts we need from them. We go through the same quote process for this stage, and we order directly from them.

What is the team composition?

We generally work with 3–4 teammates.

How did you come to work with Lightweight Manufacturing?

They have had a long-standing relationship with the company I work for, and I believe they had shared work prior to my role here. I know they've been our primary source for some time now.

How much have you invested with them?

We spend about $3,000– $4,000 every couple of weeks.

What is the status of this engagement?

The engagement began about six years ago in 2013 and is still ongoing.

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

Lightweight Manufacturing creates many specialty designs for us at our customers' request. Our customers often have specific requirements that aren't normally a part of our structure. 

In several instances, they've been able to fabricate parts and materials that enable us to provide solutions our customers need. In turn, we can utilize those designs in repurposed forms for future customers as a troubleshooting option or workaround for problems that arise. 

Even though this might not be the design's intent, we've had many opportunities to reuse designs and technology from past projects going forward.

How did Lightweight Manufacturing perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management has been excellent. They're highly efficient and very thorough. I appreciate that they ask a lot of questions, which helps troubleshoot many possible issues. If I have any questions or ever can't understand something, they're always just a phone call or email away. 

Despite the three hour time zone difference between us, they always get back to us in a timely fashion. Lightweight Manufacturing is a very courteous and prompt team.

We are usually in communication with the team every day.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I was most impressed with their overall thoroughness, sense of urgency, and ability to provide the complete package. I never have to worry about anything being forgotten in my requests. They take care of everything and cover the entire dynamic of the design work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, I don't think so. Many of our designs are very similar, so much of the work involves regurgitating the same information. Conversely, we also have many site-specific projects. They perform very well in both areas.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

The more information you can provide them with, the better. They don't assume anything. Everything should be stated very literally. Request exactly what you need rather than leaving any gray area.