The term "speed to market" speaks to the amount of time it takes for an organization to launch a product or service and commercialize it. It accounts for the time taken to mature the idea, design, prototype, test, develop, manufacture, and make a new product or service available.
In order to support our customers and reduce their lead time with new product launches, Zatkoff acquired a new knife cutter machine and made it available through a new service called Integrated Gasket Solutions.
The first time that the new service was put to market test was on its very first day of operation.
A customer came to Zatkoff on a Friday at 2:00 p.m. with an emergency request. They needed to produce 100 pieces of a certain gasket, however, all they could provide was a sample. The customer did not have a product print showing the dimensions or any material specification. They needed all 100 pieces by the end of that same day.
The single sample was FTIR scanned in order for us to determine the material composition of the gasket. Then, it was scanned again on another device in order to define the product geometry and create a 2-D print to be uploaded to the knife cutter.
All 100 pieces were produced using the knife cutter and marked with the customer's logo and part number. Zatkoff was able to successfully delivery all of the parts for the customer by 5:00 p.m. on that same Friday.
Many companies in emerging market segments struggle to turn prototypes into products that develop their businesses and create jobs. This is a growing issue in a rapidly changing global marketplace, where speed to market will separate leading organizations from the competition. Companies that take too long to commercialize their products may fail to capitalize on a narrow window of opportunity.
Zatkoff Seals & Packings is proud to assist businesses in improving their speed to market and success in their endeavors. Zatkoff's new Integrated Gasket Solutions supports this trend by responding to a fast-paced market.