In the past, many manufacturing companies kept their guard up, keeping trade secrets close to the vest, nervous that others may steal their ideas. More recently, we feel there has been a noticeable shift within our industry favoring collaboration and community, thanks in large part to industry associations. More than ever, it’s abundantly clear that by sharing knowledge, we can all become stronger together.
At Reata, we see immense value in collaborating with others. That’s why we’re involving individuals from all levels of our organization, not just our management team in collaborative efforts. Whether we’re troubleshooting a production issue, exploring new capabilities, or navigating workforce challenges, leaning into our peers’ expertise makes our industry – and, by default, our company – stronger.
Expanding Our Network
Through networking with our industry peers, we’ve had the opportunity to meet other shops that offer capabilities we don’t handle in-house. This network allows us to confidently partner with these shops when needed, allowing us to deliver complete solutions to our customers.
One notable example of this is when we recently met individuals from a shop that specializes in deep hole drilling, something outside of our range of services. Now, thanks to the relationship we’ve built with this company, Reata has a trusted outside partner to handle this process.
Supporting Our Peers
By building a robust regional network, we’re not only improving our own capabilities, we’re looking out for each other. In our local chapters, such as the Rocky Mountain Tooling & Machining Association (RMTMA) and the Colorado Advanced Manufacturing Association (CAMA), we’ve witnessed shops come together to support those facing tough times and help them stay afloat. This community-first approach demonstrates just how much we have each other’s backs and how we view our “competition” as allies, not adversaries.
We also open our doors to other manufacturers in our area, showing them how we put equipment and software to use on the shop floor. Investing in new technologies can be daunting, but by sharing our experiences and demonstrates our successes, we can help our peers feel more confident in taking those steps.
Investing in Workforce Development
Reata is also closely affiliated with educational institutions in our region. We’re actively engaged with the National Robotics League (NRL) and local high schools to spark interest in manufacturing careers. Our goal is to inspire the next generation of manufacturers by coordinating shop tours, mentoring students, and showcasing the exciting potential of a career in manufacturing.
In addition, Grady Cope, our founder and CEO serves on advisory boards at Metro State University and CU Denver. Being industry partners to higher education has provided us the opportunity to offer curriculum input and help shape the next generation of manufacturing professionals.
Creating a Better Overall Customer Experience
Our collaborative approach doesn’t just benefit Reata’s local manufacturing ecosystem; it extends to our customers. Our diverse network of reliable shops allows us to refer customers to other manufacturers when a job may not be aligned with our specific capabilities. As a result, our customer doesn’t have to deal with the legwork involved with finding a new, trustworthy supplier.
Additionally, our commitment to workforce development means that customers can expect high-quality products not just now, but in the future as well. We are helping to build a skilled and knowledgeable workforce that will drive efficiency across the industry for years to come.
Ultimately, Reata’s involvement in industry associations, collaboration with other shops, and youth engagement are all a part of our big-picture vision of building a stronger, more connected contract manufacturing community.
Interested in beginning our partnership? Request a quote from Reata today!