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An
interview with Ron Davis, Jr., CEO of Davis Tool, Inc. (DTI), located in
Hillsboro, OR.
1) What is your company niche and what does your company do that is
notable, unique or different? 
Davis Tool is a custom manufacturing
company. With one exception we help other people to build their
products. We have a modern manufacturing facility using leading
edge technology to design, machine, and fabricate mechanical
products. We provide design services, and design, build, and test
custom factory automation equipment. Our only “captive” product is
the line of mailboxes we sell through
www.lockingmailbox.com. We have been doing our best to provide
improving service to our customers for 24 years. This has led to
an unusual level of vertical integration. You can see the
diversity of the processes available from Davis Tool on our web
site
www.davistl.com. |
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2)
When and how did you get into the industry, what attracted you to
it?
Davis Tool is a family owned business
started in the late 1970's by my parents. I grew up around
machining, and computer controlled processes. I enjoy working with
the wide range of products and technology, and people needed to
make Davis Tool successful.
3) Relate a notable "best time" for your company. 
We have a “best time” every time we
land a challenging project, or when the economy allows us
to expand. We love to make things and to invent new ways to use
the technology that is available. Seeing demand for our mailboxes
double and double again has been a lot of fun. Buying equipment
like a large 5-axis milling machine, laser welder, or high speed
machining cell is just the start. The fun part is inventing how to
apply the technology to our customers’ parts to provide value or to
do things our competitors can't. |
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4)
Similarly, relate notable challenges that your company has overcome.
The most notable challenge I can
think of is the one we are working to overcome right now.
Communication between our team when spread between 5 buildings in 2
cities is difficult. The new facility we just purchased is going
to take care of that. |
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5) When you are working on projects with your customers, what aspects
would you like them to
better recognize?
Sometimes our customers have
experience with only a narrow part of our capabilities. We may
only do chemical finishing, or only machining. Often we can save
our customers more money if they allow us to manage a larger
cross-section of their product. When we sell a kit or sub-assembly
containing several part numbers it helps to eliminate waste. 
6)
List newly acquired technology, machinery
or
key personnel (in last
year).
Starting in 2001, business was very
slow for Davis Tool. We used
this time to plan and organize ourselves to be ready when the
recovery started. We have seen strong demand for our services
since late in 2003. We have added about 75 people since January
(60%). We have also added equipment to
our EDM and Lathe departments. |
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7) Has your company recently expanded? Plans to
expand or form
partnerships/alliances? 
We purchased a new facility in July.
We are moving our entire operation from 5 buildings in 2 cities
into one building in Hillsboro,
OR. We are excited for
the chance to have our entire team under one roof where teamwork
will be easier, and production will flow faster. We are expecting
our jobs to be easier, and our customers to be more satisfied. Our
new location brings improved access to transportation, so we will
be much closer to both our customers and employees. We expect the
move to be complete by June 2005.
8)
Are you involved in any industry organizations or educational
programs related to the trade?
No, not at this time. |
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9)
What do you think about changes occurring in the industry due to
globalization? How has it
affected the way you do business?
Globalization has made doing business
much more difficult for Davis Tool. I believe globalization is the
primary cause of many of our competitors going out of business.
10) What will the industry look like in 3 to 5 years?
I believe this depends largely on our
political leaders. If they decide manufacturing is important, work
to level the playing field between foreign and domestic
manufacturing companies, and fix the problems with our education
system, there will be many more successful domestic manufacturing
companies like Davis Tool. If not, we'll see. |
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Additional Background Information |
 Number
of years in business: 24 years
Current number of
employee: 199
Current square footage:
New facility will be 210,000 square feet (Company has its current
facilities (5), which total 200,000 square feet, for sale.)
Additional locations:
Currently has a 100,000-square-foot facility in Forest Grove, OR,
in addition to four grouped facilities in Hillsboro, OR, however all operations will
be under one roof in Hillsboro as of June 2005.
Website:
www.davistl.com and
www.lockingmailbox.com
 Types
of tools built and/or run: We build tooling for plastic injection
molding, milling, turning, bending, welding, aircraft assembly,
heat-treating, and more.
Industries served:
Medical, Aerospace, Electronics (capital equipment), and Consumer
industries
Contact information :
Ron Davis Jr
Davis Tool Headquarters
215 SW Wood Street
Hillsboro, OR 97123
503-648-0936 ext. 328
rond@davistl.com |
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