Schaefer Megomat has been part of the WireProcess Global Technology Partners Group for over 20 years. We have had a long and successful partnership in supplying wire processing solutions to our valued customers. And our customers have benefited by reducing their processing costs and improving their production efficiency in wire processing assembly.
We have seen a revolution in wire processing over the past 20 years or so. From pneumatic processing machines requiring time consuming set up to servo based systems incorporating advanced micro-processors and motion control. Set up time has been drastically reduced with the introduction of these advanced system technologies.
I am pleased to introduce Todd Miller of Schaefer Megomat. Todd is the Assistant General Manager of Schaefer Megomat and oversees the automation assembly operations out of Pewaukee Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee.
WPS: Todd, thank you for speaking to us and to our WireProcess Global Community. How long have you served at Schaefer Megomat.
TM: Thank you for giving me the opportunity to talk with you today. I started my career here with Schaefer Megomat (or just Megomat at that time) back in 1997. I have been lucky enough to hold many different titles and positions through the course of my employment, with the most recent being the AGM since 2014. Growing up in this company has given me a unique perspective of what it takes to bring our customers a quality product from all sides of the business.
WPS: Schaefer Megomat is part of the Schaefer Group. Can you expand on the company’s operations and global product offering.
TM: The Schaefer Group purchased Megomat USA back in 2005. We feel this partnership gave us an instant global presence and added to the stability and variety of products and services that we are able to offer to our customers. With the acquisition, the Schaefer group can offer our customers everything from small hand held wire stripping devices, all the way up to multi-function, autonomous special machines designed specifically for a customer’s applications and needs. Some of the other products that Schaefer now offers include applicators, stripping and crimping modules, hot stamp marking, tinning, crimp quality monitoring systems, twisting, seal application units, injection molding, and even testing and laboratory equipment. Chances are if you are in the wire industry and have a need, we can help you!
WPS: As mentioned in the introduction, Schaefer Megomat is based in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. Can you describe the operation and activities at this location?
TM: Schaefer Megomat was started in 1990 to be a direct sales and service company for all the Megomat products. Over the years, as we gained market share, we faced the need to expand our operations and facilities. In 1995 we built a 30,000 square foot facility on 4 acres of land in Pewaukee, WI which has served as our North American base of operations ever since. We have added mechanical and electrical engineering ability over the years, so we are able to design, build, service and support all of our equipment from this location. We currently have 26 active assembly bays in-house, with the ability to add more as demand would dictate. Our facility also offers the space to hold thousands of parts, in stock, to assure our customers’ needs are always met. In addition, we have a sales and service location in El Paso, Texas as well to serve our customers in the south and Mexico.
WPS: How does Schaefer Megomat service their customer base domestically (in the United States) as well as Internationally (North America and beyond).
TM: Schaefer Megomat prides itself on our ability to service our customers and we rely on the small business customer service mantra that our customers have come to expect over the years. Even though we have grown with the Schaefer acquisition, we have never gotten too big to provide our customers with the personal level of service that they require and expect. We have many well trained service technicians based out of Wisconsin, El Paso, and around the world that insure the equipment we sell stays on-line and in production. Locations in Germany, Switzerland, Brazil, Mexico, Romania and Asia, to name a few, help to assure we can service what we sell, no matter where it is located.
WPS: What machine platforms are assembled at the Pewaukee facility?
TM: Our Pewaukee facility is currently home to the assembly of our fully automatic wire processing equipment line. We are now building the next generation of fully automatics using our recently updated WireStar20 software and electronics package. Our base model M500, newly updated 4-station M600, and flexible, 6-station capable M800 machine are all currently built in this facility. We have also recently started the production of select applicators in our Pewaukee facility as well to insure our customers can have a one-stop shop type experience for all of their wire applications.
WPS: How does the corporate Schaefer organization support the Schaefer Megomat operations?
TM: The Schaefer Group provides us with a global presence, technical and engineering resources, as well as adding additional expertise and real-world experience in many different areas of the industry. Thank you for talking with me Terry. Schaefer Megomat values the relationship we have built over the years with Wire Process Specialties.
Thank you Todd for your time today. For more information on Schaefer Megomat, please visit the Global Technology Page of www.WireProcess.com or www.Schaefer.biz.
