JK Tool Inc., a designer and manufacturer of progressive stamping tools, precision machined components and custom assemblies recently moved into a brand new custom designed facility in New Kensington, PA.
The new facility located in New Kensington, PA is 18,000 square-feet and is part of the Westmoreland Business & Research Park. This new facility offers a modernized approach to tooling and manufacturing with a focus on workflow.
The new efficient system in New Kensington has an open floor plan, layout and systematic design which gives team members improved communication, process optimization and ability to manage projects visually. Through value stream mapping, equipment is in the optimal position, with design engineering on the same level as the plant for immediate feedback from manufacturing to design.
Along with Engineering, Precision Grinding is also segregated for acoustic effect, but still is visible and part of the plant floor through the design of the walls with large integrated glass panels. Final assembly and groom areas are located adjacent to the press room to provide the most direct access to move completed tools more efficiently to the press room. This progressive layout has been successful for JK, resulting in improved lead times and deliveries for its customers while maintaining the quality that JK is known for.
The facility design was led by Rock Hudson, who recently joined JK as General Manager. Rock (Rocky) brings more than 23 years of related experience to the team. For the past seven years, at a leading Tier 1 automotive stamping company, Rocky trained and mentored employees abroad in tool maintenance and repair. He also launched new tools and worked directly with tool shops throughout many projects. With his extensive experience in tooling, Rocky incorporated some key optimizations in the facility layout.
JK Tool (Previously JK Tool & Die) was founded in 1980 as a designer and builder of high speed progressive stamping tools. JK Tool and Die became JK Tool Inc. in 2013 when it joined The Weiss-Aug Group. The Weiss-Aug Group has invested in expanding JK’s tooling capabilities and adding precision machining as well as additional capacity for larger dies.
JK Tool
www.jktoolinc.com
Filed Under: Machine tools + subtractive manufacturing