2018cnc8-9

50 www.CNC-West.com CNC WEST August/September 2018 A ny manufacturer who’s survived more than 30 years in business has weathered the usual ups and downs of entrepreneurship, and could write a “how-to” book with a chapter devoted to learning from mistakes. Kurt Franklin, owner of DKW Precision Machining since 1984, has fared far better than many — due in part to an adherence to high customer-service standards, con- tinual process improvements, and an avid willingness to learn and embrace technology. “Over the years, we saw a lot of manufacturing go overseas, and learned from experience that there is also a lot of unpredictability in manufacturing,” Franklin says. “It changed the way we do things because we realized that it is important to diversify and to grow intelligently.” Based in Manteca, California, the business co-found- ed by Franklin in a garage in San Jose with his brother, Doug Franklin, now serves numerous sectors, including the underwater exploration, aerospace and commercial industries. Counted among DKW’s customers are Schil- ling Robotics, which produces underwater remotely op- erated vehicles, or ROVs, and automotive manufacturer Tesla, Inc. A born entrepreneur, Franklin decided that he was in manufacturing to stay and eventually purchased his brother’s share of the company. Having learned the value of quality service as owner of a motorcycle shop prior to opening the doors of DKW, Franklin has always placed a premium on customer relationships. “Our motto is to always treat customers the way that we expect to be treat- ed,” Franklin says. General Manager Brian Kott, who was hired as a shop helper and driver and has been with DKW for 23 years, believes that quality also sets the company apart. “Most machine shops can build parts on a CNC Mill, but to build a part and make it look great cosmetically can really set you apart.” To produce its products, DKW utilizes a combination of CNC machinery and software designed to deliver both efficiency and the quality that customers seek. In 1998, Franklin purchased the Surfcam Traditional computer- aided-manufacturing (CAM) solution, by Vero Software, Article Supplied by Vero International DKW PRECISION MACHINING HED//DKW PRECISION MACHINING HAS USED SURFCAM TRADITIONAL SINCE 1998 TO CUT MACHINING TIME AND DELIVER UNPARALLELED PART QUALITY TO MULTIPLE INDUSTRIES