Quality Controlled Manufacturing Inc. Celebrates 34th Anniversary
Precision manufacturer, QCMI, reaches 34 year milestone. The award-winning metal machining business attributes longevity to its leadership and skilled employees.
SAN DIEGO Oct. 19, 2012 — Quality Controlled Manufacturing Inc. (QCMI) celebrates its 34th anniversary Oct. 19, 2012. Founded in 1978 by William R. (Bob) Grande in his garage, the San Diego County precision manufacturer has grown to more than 95 employees with three facilities totaling 98,000 sq. ft.
From 1972 to 1974 Grande served as a U.S. Army E-4 Specialist during the Vietnam War. He enjoyed working with both his mind and hands. His understanding of machine tools and what those tools were capable of creating fueled Grande’s dream of founding a machining business to “Define the Future of Manufacturing.”
During QCMI’s early years, high school kids and friends came to work with Grande using the trade skills they learned through vocational training and shop class. They learned together about advancements in metal cutting equipment and manufacturing processes for the precision machining of exotic alloys. In 1991 Hamilton Sundstrand presented QCMI with its first industry recognition—a Total Quality Performance Award.
QCMI celebrated a number of milestones in 2012. The precision manufacturer received its fourth consecutive UTC Supplier Gold Award. Inc. magazine nationally recognized QCMI as one of its Inc. 5000 companies, and the San Diego Business Journal ranked QCMI on its Top 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies list. Grande achieved a Most Admired CEO award from the San Diego Business Journal and went on to receive the Santee Chamber of Commerce Business Leadership Award.
QCMI weathered five economic recessions over its three decades. Many things changed–from manual machining in a garage to the half-million dollar computer numerical control (CNC) machines in a 65,000 sq. ft. facility and corporate headquarters. QCMI has managed to keep pace with–and meet the rigorous demands of a rapidly evolving industry. The following innovations can be directly attributed to Grande’s leadership: investment in facilities and equipment and commitment to incorporating Six Sigma and lean manufacturing principles across all platforms.
As a family-owned business, Grande has hired his four sons: in 1995 Doug Grande, Current Operations 2nd Shift Supervisor; Billy Grande, Current Cell Lead/CNC Machinist; Jeff Grande Current Lean Coordinator; and in 1997 Tommy Grande, Current Production and Planning. It is also noteworthy that 40% of the QCMI’s employees have been with the company for more than 14 years.
“Our consistency and employees are the keys to our success. Whether they are administration, manufacturing, support or management — all of our people work together to ensure we are producing quality components and assemblies,” said CEO Bob Grande. “As we mark our 34th year in business, we are producing some of the same parts today we were making nearly 20 years ago. The need for precision machined products is rebounding, and we have nearly a million hours of machining capacity to meet those needs. We are looking forward to continuing to ‘Define the Future of Manufacturing.’”
About Quality Controlled Manufacturing Inc. (QCMI)
QCMI specializes in the precision machining of all metals including exotic alloys. QCMI is ISO9001/AS9100 certified, ITAR registered and Nadcap accredited. It manufactures components for the aerospace, power generation, Department of Defense (DOD), oil and gas, marine and heavy equipment industries. QCMI manufactures components with complex shapes, contours, exacting tolerances and stringent quality requirements. Key services include CNC turning, milling, and grinding; conventional machining; welding; EDM; fabrication; inspection, non-destructive testing (NDT), next higher assembly; and supply chain management. For more information about QCMI call (619) 443-3997 or visit https://www.qcmfginc.com.
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