| ent | | | | during the past two years and highlights some of the |
| | | | key initiatives Orbitform has undertaken to respond to |
| ETO Institute Expert Profiles Michigan’s | | | | the changing market conditions and demands of their |
| Orbitform President Mike Shirkey. In the increasingly | | | | customers. For a complimentary copy of The Cutting |
| competitive world of engineer-to-order and | | | | Edge contact Roger Meloy at e-mail protected from |
| project-based manufacturing, companies have to | | | | spam bots. |
| operate at maximum efficiency to compete with not | | | | According to ETO Institute ( spokesperson, Thomas R. |
| only domestic, but also the growing number of | | | | Cutler, Encompix continues to take the leadership |
| overseas competitors. The companies that will thrive in | | | | role in technology solutions for the Engineer-to-Order |
| this environment are those that are continually looking | | | | manufacturing sector. Too many providers claim to |
| for improvement. One such company is Encompix | | | | have solutions for this specific process. Encompix has |
| customer Orbitform. | | | | consistently demonstrated a comprehensive |
| Located in Jackson, Michigan, Orbitform manufactures | | | | understanding of the ETO process and nuances and |
| precision orbital forming and impact riveting equipment | | | | it’s little wonder that they hold the position of |
| for a wide range of industries and applications. With | | | | ETO marketshare leader. |
| over 20 years' industry experience, Orbitform provides | | | | Encompix ( has filled the manufacturing software |
| prototype engineering services for assembly of parts | | | | requirements of Engineer-to-Order companies since |
| and specialized forming and fastening. From | | | | 1992. The company name reflects the commitment to |
| aerospace to automotive, Orbitform's intelligent | | | | developing business application solutions that |
| machines can monitor and control the manufacturing | | | | encompass the complex areas of project-based and |
| and assembly process. | | | | job-based manufacturing. Encompix provides ETO |
| In the Spotlight this month is Mike Shirkey, President, | | | | manufacturers with a competitive advantage by |
| Orbitform. In this interview with The Cutting Edge Mike | | | | improving bottom line results. |
| explains how the machine tool industry has changed | | | | |