Mate moves to new European HQ

The new facility utilises advanced lean manufacturing processes and techniques, incorporating continuous evaluation, improvement and best practices from its US headquarters. Configured to support a three-fold volume of tooling production, the 1,500 sq m plant comprises Mate's European administrative offices, a training centre and the 1,000 sq m production facility. The location was specifically selected for its superior logistics infrastructure and professional supplier base. The new facility enables Mate to conduct all of its activities under one roof, further supporting better time, resource and process management. Mate Precision Tooling GmbH already had a 15-year history of service and support, including custom engineering and manufacturing, for its core market in Germany. The 2009 investment marks the foundation for an expanded role in serving and supporting end users, dealers, and OEMs in Europe. Enhancing the customer experience was foremost in the company's mind during the planning phase, so the new facility is ideally suited to support improved customer service. New investments in manufacturing techniques, with a focus on efficient and effective use of space and materials, enable improved order processing time and reduced delivery time. "We upgraded the entire order-to-ship cycle to improve efficiency and reduce the chance for errors and waste," says Frank Baeumler, Mate Precision Tooling GmbH managing director and vice president, European operations. "Implementing these improvements supports our overall goal of greater service and support to the European marketplace." A 250 sq m area is dedicated to seminars, training and education on Mate products, special tooling designs and applications, and tool maintenance.