Loading
Utility Header Logo
Plex Community
Change Country Site SelectionChange RockwellAutomation.com site selection to a different country, region or language
US | EN
Plex, a Rockwell Automation Company logo
Products
Manufacturing Execution System (MES)
Manufacturing Execution Suite (MES) is a comprehensive manufacturing software solution that provides real-time, paperless production management to drive enterprise-wide compliance, quality, and efficiency.
Quality Management System (QMS)
Quality Management System (QMS) is a cloud-based digital quality solution for manufacturers that standardizes and automates quality documentation, processes, and measurements.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a full-featured, scalable, cloudbased ERP that automates front- and back-office processes.
Supply Chain Planning (SCP)
Supply Chain Planning (SCP) combines data from your Plex ERP and multiple departments across your business to sync up demand and supply planning to improve inventory accuracy and production management.
Connected Worker
Connected Worker empowers frontline manufacturing teams with real-time digital tools to improve productivity, reduce errors, and enhance collaboration. It connects your people, to purpose, people, productivity, and processes to drive continuous improvement and workforce agility on the shop floor.
Production Monitoring
Production Monitoring provides seamless connectivity to machines on the plant floor, delivering transparent, real-time operational KPIs and dashboards to drive continuous improvements.
MES Automation & Orchestration
MES Automation & Orchestration connects your Plex MES to the plant edge to control information flow, processes, and workcenter setup adding efficiency, saving costs, and eliminating manual errors.
Asset Performance Management (APM)
Asset Performance Management (APM) combines process, operational, and machine-level data through highly visual dashboards to proactively monitor machine and plant health to ensure optimal uptime, throughput, and maintenance needs.
Finite Scheduler
Finite Scheduler is an advanced production scheduling tool that helps manufacturers optimize resources, reduce bottlenecks, and improve on-time delivery. It enables dynamic, constraint-based scheduling to align operations with real-world capacity and demand
Platform
Smart Manufacturing Platform Overview
Discover how our integrated platform connects, automates, tracks, and analyzes your operations.
Cloud Infrastructure & Security
Enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure with industry-leading security and compliance.
Mobile Application
Access critical manufacturing data and controls from anywhere with our mobile apps.
Availability & Performance
Industry-leading uptime and performance with 99.5% availability guarantee.
Manufacturing Automation
Seamless integration with Rockwell Automation and other manufacturing systems.
Industries
Aerospace Auto and Tire Food & Beverage Industrial Manufacturing Plastics & Rubber Precision Metalforming
Plex Generic Dark Background
INTERACTIVE DEMO
Plex MES for Automotive

Gain Real-Time Visibility and Control of Your Operations

Try Now
Resources
All Resources Success Stories Analyst Reports Knowledge Articles Demos Blog
Plex Generic Dark Background
Analyst Report
2025 Gartner® Market Guide for Manufacturing Execution Systems
Read More
TALK TO US
SEE A DEMO
Log In Plex Manufacturing Cloud Plex Classic
TALK TO US
SEE A DEMO
Blog
Recent ActivityRecent Activity

Family-Owned, Precision Metalforming Company Ready for IIoT, Wearables, and What's Next

Share This:

LinkedInLinkedIn
XX
FacebookFacebook
PrintPrint
EmailEmail
Plex_Blog_180228_Family_Owned

The phrase “manufacturing leader” often conjures images of large, multinational companies that are household names. Unfortunately, you rarely hear about leaders among smaller, often family-owned operations. Yet small manufacturers make up the majority of the market—98.5% of US manufacturing firms have less than 500 employees1—and have positive effects on local communities for generations.

Mitchel and Scott is a precision metalforming company based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They make parts for customers ranging from automotive to heavy industry. Founded during the height of the Great Depression in 1933, they are now run by the third generation of family members. They have 150 employees across two sites in Indiana and Tennessee.

I was privileged recently to be given a plant tour by Gary Smith and John Mitchel, grandson of founder Saben Mitchel. You can picture the plant, it's probably like many of yours - single-spindle and multi-spindle CNC lathes, grinding machines.

And they’re running operations on cloud ERP, which they view as the platform and launching point for downstream innovation and meeting changing market needs.   

Mitchel and Scott is big on quality—their company logo includes the phrase “Where quality is built in.” They’re also big on lean manufacturing operations, vision, and technology and innovation as business drivers, according to CEO and Chairman John Green (another family member). They created a growth plan a few years back, including changes that needed to be made.

They focused on evolving to a more automated, less paper-driven environment. They focused on ensuring the highest levels of quality. They focused on eliminating data silos and consolidating data from both plants into a single database and becoming a more data-driven business. Cloud helped them get there.

Mitchel and Scott now has integrated EDI for automated supplier communications. They leverage in-line quality management that reduces wasted time and material, and ensures higher product satisfaction. They have a single system that fully connects their multiple locations and consolidates all company information into one source of truth.

All employees have access to and directly input data into Plex, forming a real-time single system of record. And their technical resources that used to manage software and servers now focus on enhancing business processes and lean initiatives.

These improvements form a foundation for continued growth and company evolution, but Mitchel and Scott is not resting on its laurels. System, data and employee connectivity will see further advancements as new, network-ready, communication-enabled production equipment comes online. Advances in mobility, wearable devices, IIoT and sensors provide opportunities for greater levels of business efficiency, data collection and automation. Mitchel and Scott welcomes this increasingly connected environment with open arms.

For 85 years, Mitchel and Scott has been a leader, adapting its business to changing customer needs and market demands. What’s next for the market isn’t totally clear, but whatever it is, they’ll clearly be ready for it.

Are you ready? Check out The Definitive Guide to Connected Manufacturing for insight on what’s coming your way.

1  http://www.nam.org/Newsroom/Top-20-Facts-About-Manufacturing/   

Topics: Automotive Precision Metalforming

Dave Morfas
Dave Morfas
Director of Product Marketing, Plex Systems
Dave Morfas has worked in the high-tech industry for more than 20 years with customers in Europe, Asia Pac, Latin America and North America in a variety of group management, product marketing, and product management roles. Currently Dave serves as Director of Product Marketing for Plex overseeing strategic product direction, competitive intelligence, and content marketing and creation.

Related Articles

Loading
Loading
  1. Chevron LeftChevron Left Homepage Chevron RightChevron Right
  2. Chevron LeftChevron Left Blog Chevron RightChevron Right
  3. Chevron LeftChevron Left Family-Owned, Precision Metalforming Company Ready for IIoT, Wearables, and What's Next Chevron RightChevron Right
Products
Manufacturing Execution System (MES) Quality Management System (QMS) Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Supply Chain Planning (SCP) Connected Worker Production Monitoring MES Automation & Orchestration Asset Performance Management (APM) Finite Scheduler
Platform
Smart Manufacturing Platform Cloud Infrastructure & Security Mobile Application Availability & Performance Manufacturing Automation
Resources
All Resources Case Studies Analyst Reports Knowledge Articles Demos Blog
Industries
All Industries Aerospace Auto and Tire Food & Beverage/CPG Industrial Manufacturing Plastics & Rubber Precision Metalforming & Fabrication
Services & Support
Customer Success & Advocacy Support Services Educational Services Professional Services Plex Community
Get Started
Request a Demo Download Resources Read Success Stories Webinars Contact Support
Company
About Us Why Plex Recognition Newsroom Careers Contact Us
Knowledge Articles
Types of Quality Management Systems The MES Beginner Guide A Guide to Production Part Approval Process What is Industry 4.0? A Guide to Advanced Product Quality Planning Supply Chain Planning: A Guide to Strategic Planning and Operations MES and the Future of Robotics Automation Cloud Based MES Basics Food Manufacturing Software: Why MES Is Critical for Food and Beverage Manufacturers Guide to Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Cloud-Based MES Solutions A Guide to Monitoring Machine Performance What is Connected Manufacturing and Why Should You Care About It?
Privacy & Cookie Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Preferences
Accessibility Settings
Trust Center
© YYYY Plex, by Rockwell Automation. All rights reserved.
© YYYY Rockwell Automation, Inc.