Dave Beddow

Crown Equipment Corp executive Dave Beddow credits vertically integrated manufacturing with giving the forklift and component maker a level of control in its operations.

Beddow, Crown's vice president of manufacturing operations, shared his insights with attendees at the executive-level Impact Manufacturing Summit in Denver, Colorado from 17-19 August.

"Vertically integrated manufacturing provides Crown Equipment a level of control that enables unsurpassed quality and increased dependability and reliability for our customers," Beddow explained.

Having a long-term vertically integrated approach can bring together aspects of a company's production process toward the goal of creating superior products, he said. He suggested that the approach can be done while meeting customer expectations and needs regarding product quality, performance, cost and delivery.

Beddow discussed how levels of internal commitment, types of infrastructure and partnerships enable Crown to ensure manufacturing's ability to continue to produce components incorporating quality and maximum flexibility at competitive costs.

New Bremen-based Crown designs and manufactures the majority of its forklifts and components including electric motors, drive units, valve bodies, masts, power units, cylinders, electronic modules, wire harnesses, tynes and seats.

The company operates 16 global manufacturing facilities and extends the integrated approach throughout its distribution model of Crown-owned branches and independent dealers.

Crown employs more than 10,000 staff, and the service and distribution network exceeds 500 retail locations in more than 80 countries.