NEWPORT NEWS, VA — For plastics processors looking for the perfect mix of size & expertise as they seek a company to help drive a collaborative effort, Canon Virginia Inc. provides the right blend with its deep manufacturing background and its personal approach.
Canon Virginia engineers create new process efficiencies by working as a collaborative partner, applying advanced manufacturing technologies and thoughtful experience to help solve challenges.
According to Ron Kurz, senior director and operations manager of the Medical Business Division and Business Development at Canon Virginia, this collaborative problem-solving approach can prove to be a game-changer for many customers.
Kurz pointed out that when the name Canon is mentioned, most people think of cameras and copiers, but stresses that Canon is much more. Canon Virginia’s core identity rests in advanced manufacturing and these capabilities, resources, proven approaches and technologies are backed by the parent company. “This knowledge and technology can be put into almost any product, or used in almost any capacity, and help you solve your specific challenges,” he noted.
The company can work with customers that have an existing part, but Kurz said he looks for collaborative opportunities where Canon Virginia can bring additional value to the table. This can be in the form of Canon technology to help improve a customer’s product or process by offering manufacturing know-how, or creatively integrating multiple services all under one roof.
“The fact that we can do several services at one location adds value and is one of the reasons partners come to Canon Virginia,” Kurz said. Canon Virginia gets to work with a wide range of customers, from large companies to smaller enterprises, and this process helps provide them with insight on each customer.
Kurz also said that the technology offered to customers also can include call-center services with U.S. based people. This is another aspect of the collaborative and problem-solving approaches that can drive growth for clients.
“We try to understand their business model and exactly how they do business and engage,” he said. “We look for logistics problems, warehousing problems, and asset management problems.”
After examining all aspects of the business model and identifying any potential issues, the Canon Virginia team is prepared to build a problem-solving tactic from this approach. Kurz said that technical understanding can be applied to solve any problem.
In addition to technology, customers gain access to the knowledge of the Canon Virginia team, which brings a wide range of experience to the table. These professionals have backgrounds in engineering, toolmaking, and business. This includes Kurz, who has a background as a design engineer, putting him in a unique position when he sits down with customers.
The Canon Virginia team isn’t just comprised of staff with sales experience. These professionals have backgrounds as engineers and took makers, and others have business backgrounds.
“Having engineers on the other side of the table that understand the problems gives you instant credibility with most executives,” Kurz said. “When you can white-board solutions on the spot, that often generates the opportunity to work with a company.
When all of these components come together, both the customer and Canon Virginia can be put in a position for success. As a customer, you have the peace of mind knowing that the company can be involved in the long-term production of your product.
“We try to forge a relationship to be able to handle future generations of a product,” Kurz said. “We want to be there when that next phase happens. It is never one-and-done.”
With a heritage of quality and expertise, Canon Virginia remains passionate about open innovation and reinvention. The company is focused on continuous improvement, time-to-market efficiency and cost management, drawing on decades of expertise. For more information about Canon Virginia, visit www.cvi.canon.com.
Canon Virginia Inc.: Tapping its expertise
Canon Virginia can tap into the wealth of experience that Canon possesses to provide quick solutions for potential challenges that customers may experience.
Manufacturing medical products with optics
Canon Virginia is currently working with a customer that has an optics problem, and the wealth of experience that Canon possesses in that area can provide quick solutions to potential challenges they may face.
“We are going to help them on the manufacturing side,” said Ron Kurz, senior director and operations manager of the Medical Business Division and Business Development at Canon Virginia. “We also are talking with them about the future use of our technology to make their products smaller and more robust.”
Tooling for microfluidics
Canon also has inkjet printer technology that has applications that can help customers overcome challenges and achieve increased manufacturing efficiencies. This technology can prove to be a benefit in a number of plastics applications.
“We can help customers with our knowledge of moving very small amounts of fluid,” Kurz said. “We also have the technology from our tool-and-die making side where we can make the microfuilding features into plastic parts on the macro level.”
Engineering expertise & Technical knowledge
Canon Virginia welcomes projects that provide a challenge where they can offer a company a chance to resolve issues for their customers.
“We don’t just do the simple tools,” Kurz said. “Clients come to us with the complex tools with tight tolerances. It may be something that nobody has been able to do. We embrace those projects.”
The experience and drive to meet any challenge can prove to be an attraction for plastics processors seeking a collaborator. Often, a customer’s decision may come down to looking for a company that can offer a one-stop partnership, and that is an area where Canon Virginia can excel, from mold making and processing to shipping.
“My global supply chain delivers all of the pieces, and we can build the part,” Kurz said. “We also do warehousing and distribution. In one location, you can look at your product from the beginning to shipping.”
That one-stop philosophy is evident as Canon Virginia can open its doors to help businesses bring their products to market. This can prove to be attractive to customers, giving them all of the benefits of building a new manufacturing plant, supply chain and support network—without the time and overhead. Rather than dealing with manufacturing and supply chain questions, Canon Virginia can prove to be a partner that empowers the customer to achieve more, faster.