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Cooperation, Consolidation
In Rochester' Cluster

In Rochester, N.Y., machining companies have been both challenged and inspired by the local cutbacks and overall growth of customers. In order to serve the market with larger packages of products and services, small local firms are informally bonding to bid jointly on bigger projects.

"It's an unofficial network of companies saying, 'I'll do the sheet metal and you do the machining'," explains Doug Seward, executive director of the Rochester chapter of the NTMA. "It's necessary to bid on bigger projects because customers want delivery of entire sub-assemblies."

There are true consolidations as well as small firms combine. These now larger businesses are finding ready accommodations in a former Eastman Kodak facility that spans 1 million sq. ft. (90,000 sq. m.). Monroe County is managing the facility, complete with large bays and loading docks throughout, as a machine shop haven. In general, local cutbacks among the industrial giants headquartered in Rochester have meant plenty of available space for machining and tooling companies.

"A lot of sites are available. You don't have to invest in bricks and mortar," notes Seward.

Although plenty of local companies have opened satellites in the South to serve customers who have moved operations there, Rochester is still a vibrant market for machinists. "It's because Rochester has a good educational base in engineering and design," says Seward.