1. Tecnova Electronics

Waukegan, IL  —  www.tecnova.com

Tecnova CEO Terry Coleman, Sr., likes to joke that he was in diapers when he started the company. While not entirely correct—he founded the company in 1981 with nothing more than an idea and a desk—it is true that Coleman has been focused on designing and manufacturing electronic assemblies for a long time. Today Tecnova Electronics Inc. is an ISO-9001 certified electronic contract manufacturer that builds complex electronic assemblies for commercial and industrial applications. They do so with great attention to quality and continuous improvement.

Tecnova tops our Quality Leadership ranking this year, and has appeared on the list regularly. This is no coincidence. Although Coleman founded the company decades ago, he continues to embrace new technology.

 “Right now, the biggest thing is focusing on more automation,” says Scott Martin, quality manager. “A lot of it is staying true to our overall systems, checking in to new technologies, implementing a few things on the floor. Every person believes in the quality here. It comes from the top down and everybody believes in it.”

Data analysis is another reason for their success. Coleman notes that Martin and other staff are focused on analyzing data and then, most importantly, acting on it. “If you don’t look at it, it doesn’t do you any good,” Coleman says. “That’s part of the challenge. It’s easy to collect a lot of data. What, if anything, do you need to do with that data?”

Maintaining high quality year after year requires effort on many fronts. Besides data analysis and new technology, having the right people is key.

 “We’re selective on the people we hire. The people are what makes us or breaks us,” Coleman says. And once you have the right people, feedback helps as well.

“Tell them they’re doing a great job,” Coleman says. “You don’t ignore people. Tell them if they’re doing a good job.”

And if someone makes a mistake—“humans are humans,” Coleman says—offer training rather than blame. This culture makes for a pleasant work environment where people are recognized for accomplishments and not hassled for making a mistake, whatever that might be, Coleman says.

“Positive feedback gets overlooked a lot,” he says. But bringing in food as a thank you or telling staff that you value what they are doing is always appreciated.

Their customer service makes Tecnova stand out, Coleman says, whether dealing with a problem within the company, from a customer, or a vendor. “No company is perfect. When you have a problem, don’t sweep it under the rug. Our response to customer requests makes us better than our competition.”

Martin attributes their success to “Staying consistent, following our systems, keep refreshing things and trying to continually improve.” This is not a company that believes in “we’ve always done it this way,” Coleman says.

“Just because we’ve been doing things this way for five years or 30 years,” doesn’t mean that’s the way it should always be. Coleman says it’s important to ask if they are still doing the right thing, today. And that’s where automation comes in, along with new inspection systems or robotics.

No matter what they are doing, quality is at the forefront.

“The bottom line is our customers don’t want to send it back and we don’t want to get it back,” Coleman says. Maintaining high quality is a win-win for all involved.

Image Source: Tecnova Electronics

2. Electro Product Management Inc.

Fairfield, NJ — www.epmtechsales.com

Careful readers may recall EPM from last year’s ranking. The company specializes in designing tests and screening procedures for electronic components used in the aerospace and defense industry.

Again, EPM continues to make the Quality Leadership list, returning for another year to a top-five spot.

When I last spoke with Ray D’Alessandro, VP-Engineering, the company was in the process of completing the Cyber Security program. Now EPM has completed it and is compliant with NIST-SP800-171.

In addition, EPM has several certifications: ISO 9001:2015, AS9100, CYBER-SECURITY PER NIST SP800-171 and ESD-S2020.

Keep up the good work, EPM.

Image Source: Electro Product Management Inc.

3. DIT-MCO International

Kansas City, MO — www.ditmco.com

Andrew Zawisza is back on top for the chili cook-off. When we last spoke, he was planning on upping his game for the DIT-MCO International annual chili cook-off. And last year he pulled it off.

When asked if there was a secret to his recipe, Zawisza said there wasn’t exactly a secret, but he does grow his own tomatoes, jalapenos and chili peppers, then pickle the jalapenos and dehydrate the peppers to grind into chili powder. These extra steps makes the difference—the pickled jalapenos won it for him, he says—and represents the effort involved in making something of the highest quality.

Quality is a differentiator for DIT-MCO, which celebrates its 76^th anniversary this year. The company makes aerospace testing equipment, as well as parts for the U.S. Department of Defense aircraft. The company is designing its next gen equipment to improve their ground support test equipment.

When I spoke to him in late 2023, he noted that the business was thriving.

“This year has gone really well,” he said, with the company up 20-25% from the previous year. They also plan to hire more engineers and quality staff in 2024. 

Keeping quality issues low is always the goal. The quality department also implemented a new software system that integrates with ERP software. Instead of little siloes of information, now there is one database for all issues, he notes.

“It works with our ERP system, two-way system, data in and data out,” he says. “It makes it easier to collect and analyze quality issues that arise.”

The next step is to add additional modules to build on their momentum, he notes.

In terms of their 3D printer, they just ordered a fifth 3D printer to help the process work more smoothly.

Along with new equipment and software, the company’s success relies on employees who have been around a long time. Zawisza will have 35 years with the company this year, and in terms of seniority, “I’m not even in the top ten yet,” he says.

But more retirements are ahead, including people who have been with the company over 40 years. “We’re hiring and trying to replace the 30 to 40 years of experience we’re losing.”

“The next five years are going to look at lot different,” he says, both in terms of management and production. One employee in the metal shop has been with the company for 46 years.

Zawisza says he’s still has a few more years before retirement and enjoys coming to work and the people he works with.

He carpools with a colleague and shared his pickled peppers. The colleague recently returned an empty jar and Zawisza replaced it with a full one.

Who wouldn’t want to work somewhere where your colleagues bring you homegrown food? Retirement might not offer the same perks.

Image Source: DIT-MCO International

4. Pelco Component Technologies

Cazenovia, NY — www.pelcocaz.com

Putting Power to Work is the motto for this appliance, electrical, and electronics manufacturer. The company, founded in 1975, offers The Pelco Promise: “Extensive component lines with the promise of quality, service, value and trust, across the board. Pelco Component Technologies is the best source for many components and many customers.”

The company says the Pelco Promise stands for rapid response, custom solutions, product integrity and reliable support. As the website says, “Buyers, engineers and distributors give us rave reviews and the highest praise: repeat business.”

Repeat business is always the goal, and positive customer feedback is nice too. As one customer testimonial on the company’s website says,

“I know you will do what you say and that you have the expertise to do it!”

Their specialties include: Electronic Timers and Controls, Film Capacitors, Thermal Circuit Protectors and Breakers, Flexible Test Connectors, and Din Rail Timers, Voltage Monitors, Current Sensors and Power Relays.

And if you’re interested in working for the company, as of this writing, they are hiring for a variety of positions.

Image Source: Pelco Component Technologies

5. Pinson Valley Heat Treating

Pinson, AL — www.pvht.com

T.A. Parker and his wife Elinor founded Pinson Valley Heat Treating Company in 1970. It was tough going at first. President Don Hendry writes about the company’s early years. After his grandfather’s pension was cut, the garden was a source of food for their family. As he writes, “After getting out enough for our family, Granddad loved to sit at the kitchen table and divide the rest into sacks. The next morning on the way to work we would leave a few minutes early to drop off sacks at houses of sick or widowed throughout Tarrant City. It was something he took great joy in doing, and it is a lesson I’ll never forget.  He didn’t have much, but he shared with neighbors in need and trusted the Lord to care for him.”

The company has maintained these values and beliefs, emphasizing satisfaction, teamwork, respect, stewardship and excellence. Today the company mission is: “Our Company provides heat treating and related services to the manufacturing industry in our region. We operate with the goal to build a Healthy, Profitable Company that is a Great Place to Work for Our Employees, so they will provide the Best Service and Value in Our Industry for Our Customers.

Their quality statement is: “Quality Work, Quick Service, at a Fair Price.”

Image Source: Pinson Valley Heat Treating