OEM Control Panels

WHEN YOU NEED LOTS OF STOCK PANELS

BUT WITH A FEW DIFFERENCES.

We specialize in manufacturing configurable, volume OEM control panels.

Cates designs and manufactures volume Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) control panels for the industrial market. We specialize in building volume panels with variable configurations. As UL 508A and UL 698A certified panel builders with over 40 years of experience, we build quality panels at a competitive price and deliver them according to the promised schedule. If designing and manufacturing control panels is not one of your firm’s core competencies, consider outsourcing it to Cates!

Process of Quality for Every Panel

Cates Quality Management System

In order to ensure quality in every industrial control panel when manufacturing high-volume orders, Cates has spent years customizing a process tailored to our workflow.

We maintain a Quality Management System (QMS) with procedures for each step of our process

Procedures account for differences in OEM volume panel processing

Our QMS is housed on a custom-developed website tool that features a Quality Tracker

Cates Quality Policy

Cates is committed to providing the highest level of products, services, and solutions to our customers

Our principled company culture provides the framework for excellent customer service and continuous improvement in everything we do

It is the responsibility of every Cates employee to be aware of these principles and to do their best to adhere to them at all times

Document Control & Training

Document Control

Customized inspection checklists that focus on key design characteristics

Detailed work instructions serve as visual guides for each step of the assembly process

Documented traceability for batch processing

In-process inspection ensures quality at critical points of the assembly process

Pictures of as-built assemblies for every batch

Scanned build paperwork saved for each batch of panels assembled

Cates Learning Management System

All technicians are qualified to work each OEM assembly

Qualification involves a review of the unique work instruction and successful completion of a quiz to measure understanding

Each employee’s certifications are assigned and tracked via Paylocity HR software

Customized training courses can be created quickly and efficiently for distribution to assigned technician groups

Continuous Improvement Culture

Internal Audits

Cates has a longstanding culture of continuous improvement; it is one of the principles upon which the company was founded in 1978 and still guides us today.

Employees continually strive to improve by checking themselves and making corrections as needed via our internal audit policy

Audits are logged, tracked, and followed up by the Quality Tracker on our custom QMS website tool

Since 2019, our leadership has met twice monthly to review the status of audits and corrective actions

The schedule for internal audits is reviewed and assigned on a quarterly basis

Nonconformance Handling

We’ve implemented a full system to handle nonconformance, including logs that provide full traceability to find a problem and track the implementation of the solution.

The system includes a company-wide website tool that tracks non-conformance handling

Any employee can submit non-conformance items

The tool allows corrective actions to be delegated to a person in the appropriate group

Automatic tracking ensures corrective actions are logged, completed, and tested to ensure the root cause was fixed

A written Corrective Action policy for nonconformances to customer specifications and documented internal processes is on the website and used for every project

Risk Management

Quoting Method

We reduce risk on the front end by using custom quoting software developed specifically for our process

The software uses a uniform estimating method, allowing reuse of configurations and providing consistent output

Job Review

After each order has shipped, Cates reviews the job hardware, labor, and performance KPIs

We use job feedback and improvement opportunities highlighted by the software to continuously fine-tune the process and minimize risk

Strategic Sourcing

Risk mitigation in the event of a disaster

Options for increasing production volume

Competition promotes optimal pricing and performance

Quality control and comparison

Vendor performance measurement

UL 508A/698A Knowledge

Cates has extensive knowledge and years of experience in understanding and complying with UL standards

This helps us identify and address any possible design or safety risks in customer panels – and facilitate UL involvement if necessary to obtain clarification or input

UL 508A/698A Certified facilities with numerous Certified Manufacturer’s Technical Representatives (MTR)

Operational Efficiency

Lean Manufacturing

Cell-based assembly ensures quality and consistency

Modular facility with stations on wheels for rapid reconfiguration

Process efficiencies and savings yield faster fulfillment, lower prices

Wire processing equipment, custom test stands improve accuracy, quality, & delivery

Volume with Variable Configurations

We can produce exact multiples of the same design or variations on each

Every OEM control panel is identical – down to the wiring route

We currently ship one customer 130 panels with 50 variations monthly

Planning and Communication

Capacity Planning

For production scheduling, we use I-PReP software – custom-designed for our process

Stations are available in every Cates production department for quick access

I-PReP provides a focused view of tasks for specific departments

Part status is accessible at any time, commented with the latest purchasing updates

I-PReP feeds our production capacity calculation tool for real-time and projected capacity feedback

Capacity Planner allows the flexibility to simulate jobs for better customer communication and preparation

Customer Communication

Application Engineers on staff to address and communicate technical issues quickly and effectively

Customer Service Representatives are assigned to OEM accounts for steady, consistent order updates

Separate OEM and Custom supervisors ensure that focus and capacity are clear for each production department

Cates Performance

We know our performance is critical to your business, so we constantly assess, report, and request customer feedback to help us continuously improve.

Measured

Quality Control

Analysis of Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

Custom reports to fit your needs

Continuous

Value Innovation workshops & Kaizen events

Employee suggestion program

Ongoing customer feedback

Cost Management and Value Innovation

Quarterly Lean Workshops

We do Lean workshops with OEM Customers

Review parts, processes, designs, vendors, technologies, price points

Brainstorm opportunities to design cost savings into OEM panels

How Value Innovation Works

Allows differentiation by delivering superior value at low cost

Reduces traditional costs by eliminating or reducing factors on which an industry competes

Increases buyer value by raising and creating elements the customer has never realized

Tell Us About Your Manufacturing Needs

Information Request

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OEM panel manufacturing.

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