Tony Barlett reveals the secrets behind Sumitomo Drive Technologies’ impressive growth
For over 130 years, Sumitomo Drive Technologies has been known as a leading manufacturer of large industrial gearboxes, gearmotors, speed reducers, inverters, and motion control products used in every industry, from food and beverage to mining and parcel handling. Industrial gearboxes and speed reducers from Sumitomo Drive Technologies are trusted and relied on by leading brands around the globe. Tony Barlett, Vice President of Business Operations, retraces the company’s journey in the US.
“Sumitomo Drive Technologies has been in the US since 1966, and its history has been one of growth and evolution,” he opens. “We have built ourselves a reputation for providing the highest quality power transmission products, whether speed reducers, large industrial gearboxes, or precision products. Our core strength is our flexibility. We’ve consistently adapted and challenged the status quo to ensure our products remain relevant. We don’t confine ourselves to what we have done in the past; instead, we strive to advance and pursue excellence. It’s all about long-term growth and evolution for us – we aim not just to be a major industry player but to transform the industry itself,” he elucidates.
Over recent years, the company has experienced immense growth. Tony expresses his view on the factors that have contributed to the company’s expansion. “Growth does not just happen out of nowhere; it requires intentional effort. Achieving this growth would not have been possible without a combination of three key factors: vision, execution, and most importantly, our people. From the outset, we had a very clear vision to provide the best power transmission solutions while delivering an unmatched customer experience. For us, unmatched customer experience means seamless integration of sales and operations, delivering exceptional service and responsiveness. We also recognized that this vision did not mean much if we did not act on it. Over the past few years, we have been relentless in how we put our plans into action, taking concrete steps to improve our operations, such as our investment in the Regional Supply Chain initiative, which has significantly improved lead times and reduced reliance on overseas suppliers. We continue to generate new ideas and provide outstanding customer experiences. Additionally, our people remain the crucial factor in our growth. Growth is inevitable when you have a team that is on the same page and is excited about their work. We invest in the people we hire and strive to cultivate a workplace where everyone feels a sense of ownership. We are all working towards the same goal of serving our customers. These elements of vision, execution, and people have enhanced the value of our products and solutions, resulting in our growth (not to mention the post-Covid bump!)” he explains.
Continuous improvements
Another key element that has fueled Sumitomo’s explosive growth is the implementation of technological advancements into its production processes, which is
part of the operational improvements Tony previously alluded to. “As a global company, innovation is ingrained in our DNA. We have always built upon the advancement of technology to enhance our manufacturing processes. For example, we aim to automate more than 80 percent of our distribution center’s material handling processes over the next few years to enhance output, expand capabilities, improve turnaround times, and reduce costs. Beyond automation and technology, we also leverage data analytics and machine learning to identify opportunities for improvement, thereby ensuring we remain as efficient as possible. For example, we have implemented machine monitoring on nearly all of our machine tools. This system provides real-time, data-driven insights into equipment performance and allows us to detect inefficiencies, predict maintenance needs, and prevent downtime before it impacts production. We recognize that we have to keep evolving and implement new technology as quickly as we can to stay ahead of the competition. This is especially crucial in the current climate, where if we are not improving, we run the risk of falling behind,” he enlightens.
Talent cultivation
Going back to the staffing element of Sumitomo’s growth strategy, it introduces the new CNC Machinist Apprenticeship Program the company is launching with a local community college. “I am particularly excited about our CNC Machinist Apprenticeship Program because it is a true game-changer for our organization. We do not want to wait for the best machinists to come to us, instead, we are championing a proactive approach by developing talent from the ground up. To achieve this, we have created a two-year program that combines hands-on experience using cutting-edge CNC machine tools and classroom instruction. We have partnered with Tidewater Community College to provide courses in math and measurement, material science, and soft skill development, to name a few. Additionally, we have hired a dedicated Program Lead who is responsible for mentoring our apprentices and facilitating their education every step of the way.
“By entering this program, our apprentices are getting the amazing opportunity to learn a skilled trade, attend school at no cost, and earn a paycheck while doing so. With this, we are not simply looking to fill positions but to train the next generation and retain talent for the long term. Our ultimate goal is to develop these apprentices into top-quality machinists whom we fully expect to become future leaders in our manufacturing team and the company as a whole,” he adds.
Through a commitment to continuous improvement and talent cultivation, Sumitomo Drive Technologies is enhancing its operations to achieve unparalleled long-lasting excellence.