MiMfg Magazine
INDUSTRY
18
April 2019
Member
Spotlight
Jeff Simek
RCO Engineering
Member since January 2007 • Employs 450 Michigan workers • Learn more at www.rcoeng.com
Developing an agile mindset doesn’t happen
overnight, but it’s becoming an essential part of
the successful manufacturer’s business strategy.
“The only constant is change and that saying is
especially true for manufacturing,” said Jeff Simek,
general manager of operations for RCO Engineering.
“You can never stop working to improve your ability
to adjust with the times and utilize whatever is
new and exciting at your disposal. We’re doing
that every day.”
RCO Engineering is a 45-year-old, family-
owned, product development partner for the
automotive and aerospace industries. The com-
pany, currently Roseville’s largest employer, began
in seating but has grown to offer much more
through the continuing effort to remain agile and
responsive to technological changes, new market
opportunities and more efficient processes.
“Today’s customer is demanding customization
on a scale we’ve never seen before and the traditional
high-volume manufacturer will struggle to adjust
— at RCO, we’ve been working to perfect a
high-mix, low-volume production model with this
in mind,” explained Simek. “We’re now able to
use super-agile business processes focused on cost,
quality and delivery while meeting the needs of a
modern manufacturing customer.”
The change in customer demand is also affecting
how companies like RCO prepare for the future.
“In the short-term, we’re looking to optimize
our processes and grow sales, but in the long-
term, it’s clear that the future is in digitization and
transforming to meet the potential of Industry
4.0,” said Simek. “Processes are becoming
digitized and we’re seeing that over the next five
to 10 years we’ll need to invest in areas like cobotic
solutions, augmented reality, additive manufacturing
and behind-the-scenes automation.”
That doesn’t mean RCO will be ignoring the
people part of 21st century manufacturing.
“Talent is as vital as ever, but now it’s about
locating the talent that is best qualified to work
with and alongside the variety of technologies you’ll
find in most every manufacturing facility in the
state,” said Simek. “The rest of our lives will be
spent introducing and developing new tech — we
need to empower people for the fourth industrial
revolution. Talent development relating to
Industry 4.0 will be the primary global challenge
everyone must pay attention to.”
RCO remains an active sponsor of local
FIRST Robotics programs to engage students
with the technology foundation required to
pursue manufacturing careers. At the same time,
manufacturers must be mindful of what they can
and should do to stay on the forefront of emerging
trends that can lead to new products and larger
global footprints for their brand.
Simek advises small and mid-sized manufacturers
looking to stay competitive to not slow down but also
be smart, reminding them to “diversify your portfolio
and become skilled across multiple processes. It’s
also essential that you stay connected with the
entrepreneurial community, including other
manufacturers, regional partners and associations who
can provide you access to resources and connections
you might not locate on your own.”
6
RCO Engineering continues to reimagine what is possible in an
era where manufacturers must always be on the cutting edge.