3-D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, creates three-dimensional objects by laying down successive layers of a two-dimensional substrate. The programs which control this process are 3-D digital CAD files. Having the capacity to produce any number of parts on demand simply by placing small printers around the globe gives it the ability to penetrate several markets across the industrial, manufacturing, and consumer sectors. As it functions in the digital space, it makes it easier to share files and create custom solutions to meet particular demands. This is why, even in these dreadful times, these printers have come to prove their worth by fulfilling the vital need for resources such as ventilators, face masks, respirators, PPE kits, and other protective tools. But like everything, this industry also had to push through the economic slowdown that came with the onset of a worldwide pandemic, and only those who had the right mindset are still standing. An entrepreneur by heart with manufacturing in his blood, Gordon Styles, the Founder and President of Star Rapid Manufacturing Company shares, “It was tough for us at first, just like it was tough for so many other companies. But I had anticipated something like this long in advance. Not the virus itself of course, but an economic slowdown. To prepare for this, I had already set aside enough resources to weather a storm. So, when the storm came, our team was prepared to go even several months with much-reduced orders. When one of our key customers faced a shortage of critical ventilator parts, we ramped up our production dramatically to ensure they had all of the components they needed.”
“Even if it's one small thing every day, cumulatively, over a long period of time, great progress can be made. If I stop learning, I stop growing. And if I stop growing it's time to retire.”
Star Rapid is a global rapid prototyping, rapid tooling, and low-volume manufacturing company based in Guangdong, China. It specializes in providing advanced manufacturing services for rapid prototyping and small-scale production. Their progressive management practices and lean manufacturing discipline allows their customers to access a full spectrum of manufacturing solutions to quickly develop prototypes and bring new products to market. Their service portfolio includes metal 3-D printing, CNC machining, plastic injection molding, pressure die casting, vacuum casting, and finishing services. Other than the full range of services they offer under one roof, Star Rapid is distinguished by their rapid manufacturing response time, design for manufacturing support, and strong communication with their clients. This is made possible by sustaining a strong online presence and by assigning sales engineers across different regions including North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. This helps them provide on-the-ground support and service to ensure that their customers get brisk responses to their needs regardless of where they are. Also, as they have no pre-set conditions on the value of the order placed, they can provide turnkey solutions for any project undeterred by its size. He further adds, “This is not true for most of our competitors in the industry. Because of the size and scale of their businesses they require large initial purchase orders before they will even consider opening a new tool or even providing a quotation.”
“Right now, we are undergoing the transition to industry 4.0. That means we will implement more automation, smart manufacturing, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and other advanced systems to create an even more robust, responsive, and lean manufacturing system."
Lessons from the past
Gordon was not new to the prototyping industry when he launched Star Rapid Manufacturing Company in China. Before this, he ran a successful rapid prototyping company in the U.K. However, a major chunk of his business was compromised when a cheap competitor from China stepped into the field. This led Gordon to go to China and learn what it was all about. Twenty years later, here he is tackling the same old players with innovation, craft, hard work, and sincerity. He shares, “I must admit I have very little patience for mediocrity and sloppiness, which unfortunately is what I saw in many of the Chinese competitors who had been taking away my previous business. This is what I’ve seen from too many suppliers who were not passionate about doing excellent quality work. In my shop, we strive only to do our best. If we can’t do it right, we don’t do it at all. This is how I run my life and how I run my business. And, as it turns out, many customers feel the same way as I do.”
Star Rapid is a huge supporter of using innovation to find creative solutions for every single customer every single time. They define agility, versatility, and ability as the core strengths they bring to bear on every project. Today, they serve many advanced industries including aerospace, robotics and assisted mobility, automotive, medical, industrial, and consumer electronics. When working with additive manufacturing, Star Rapid makes sure they leave very little waste material behind, most of which can be recycled back into production. They have ISO 14001 and 45001 certifications which further consolidates their commitment to the environment, health and safety, and social responsibility. As the President and Founder of Star Rapid, Gordon applauds the spirit of his people who never fails to inspire him by their work ethic and their collective vision to explore new and creative ideas to overcome the hardest obstacles. He shares, “I am constantly amazed and impressed by their willingness not only to work together but to find creative solutions for problems. During the recent coronavirus outbreak, many of our people were required to work extra-long hours to make up for delayed orders. They did so without complaint and everyone worked cheerfully even in the face of many business uncertainties.”
Describing himself as a lifelong student, Gordon says that he never wants to stop learning and sharing his lessons with others. His business exposes him to various new products, technologies, methods, and processes. But his major inspiration comes from the lean kaizen principle of manufacturing introduced by Toyota as their core philosophy. He says, “Even if it’s one small thing every day, cumulatively, over a long period of time, great progress can be made. If I stop learning, I stop growing. And if I stop growing it’s time to retire.”
Blazing forward, Gordon is unafraid to count Star Rapid among the companies of the future. “Right now, we are undergoing the transition to industry 4.0. That means we will implement more automation, smart manufacturing, data analysis, artificial intelligence, and other advanced systems to create an even more robust, responsive, and lean manufacturing system,” asserts Gordon.“Manufacturers that don’t transition to industry 4.0 within the next 10 years just won’t make it.”
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