Often called the “Information Age,” this era could also be called the “Technological Age.” Recent, ongoing advances in electronics and other areas are redefining our industry, our society, and the entire planet’s culture.

Carr Lane Manufacturing, one of the largest producers of clamps and tooling components, has made extensive changes in the past few years to prepare for the challenges and opportunities this technological era has created.

The Internet is the most all-encompassing change of the past five years, with 250 million people currently online, including a whopping 95% of businesses. Instant information is now at everyone’s fingertips. Gone are the endless hours spent scouring bookshelves, trying to locate information on companies or products. A few simple clicks at a person’s own workstation is often all that is needed. Carr Lane is part of this evolution, offering an ever-increasing amount of information at www.carrlane.com.

Carr Lane’s 600-page catalog of more than 100,000 workholding, tooling and assembly components is now online in a new, searchable web site offering price and availability checks and links to free, downloadable CAD drawings. Other Carr Lane web pages provide a distributor locator, Spanish-speaking information, new items, magazine articles, and a bookstore.

“We’re going to continue to update our website, to give our customers and distributors instant access to information that will make it easier for them to work with us,” said Carr Lane President Earl Walker. “We’ll be making a lot more changes in the next six months.”

In addition to the Internet, Carr Lane achieved ISO 9001 certification in 1996, and made massive computer upgrades in 1999, switching to an Oracle integrated computer application system for order processing, inventory, and purchasing. It was a rough transition, with some temporary customer service problems. But the company came back strong, now with a streamlined system that efficiently handles those internal processes.

One problem addressed in the past year was the overloaded telephone system, which was flooded with calls, all coming in to one switchboard. The solution was two-fold. First, the price and availability check, added to the Carr Lane website in early 2000, drastically reduced the number of incoming calls.

Next, a new telephone monitoring system was installed to help increase customer service by keeping track of call statistics. “The new software allows us to keep track of how many calls are in the cue, and tells us which is the oldest call in the cue,” said Tom Smith, customer service manager. The software has a variety of other features which aid in providing prompt customer service.

Another opportunity resulting from technological advances was the offering of the 600-page Carr Lane catalog on CD-ROM, reducing its weight from 2 1/2 pounds to under 4 ounces. The print version continues to be popular as well.

The industry has changed as well, now focusing on concurrent engineering, spurred by technological advances, downsizing, and just-in-time manufacturing. Carr Lane, which provides parts for both design and manufacturing engineers, has now made its CAD/CAM tooling library available free for downloading on the Internet, aiding the process.

Carr Lane is well known in dozens of industries, including automotive, aerospace, appliance, and medical equipment.

Founded in 1952, the company started by making a few pins for McDonnell Aircraft. In its nearly 50-year history, Carr Lane has become a global leader in clamps and tooling components.

The company has found the Internet and other telecommunications to be an aid in global marketing, while language, cultural, legal and financial differences continue to be at issue.

As we all trudge into the 21st century, Carr Lane will continue to play a leading edge role, traveling with eyes wide open to unforeseen opportunities, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
Carr Lane Mfg. Co., St. Louis, MO.