Raving Fan: Columbia Metal Spinning

	Columbia Metal Spinning: Life After Work

Pictured (left to right): John Olas, MSI Sales Engineer; Fred Haberkamp, Columbia Owner; and Tommy Rzany, Columbia Shop Foreman pose near their Mazak Super Quick Turn 200 MS.

Below: Columbia Metal Spinning's new 75,000 square foot facility in Chicago, IL.

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by Stacey Romanowski - MSI Corporate Marketing

I went to a long time MSI/Mazak customer, Columbia Metal Spinning (Chicago, IL), expecting to ask the same types of questions that I usually ask during an interview for an article. On our drive to the customer I asked John Olas, the MSI Sales Engineer responsible Columbia, to prepare me for my visit.

Between my discussion with John, the tour and interview with Fred Haberkamp, Columbia’s Owner, I learned:

They have been in business for 50 years.

The first generation is still active and the second generation is running the company and the third is training for future management of the company.

Recently they moved into a gorgeous 75,000 sq. foot facility.

They have been buying Mazak Quick Turns since 1985. Their most recent addition was the barfed Super Quick Turn 200 MS – this machine is new to them for a couple reasons. First, the second spindle eliminates a second, third and fourth operation. This family of parts truly is "done in one" operation! The barfeed is a "lifesaver" explains Tommy Rzany, Columbia’s Shop Foreman. Fred Haberkamp explained that "this machine allows us the quick change over and same day shipment necessary to fit the needs of our customer, General Electric." In fact I saw the machine operator load bar stock into the barfeeder, machine the part and drop the part complete. This same operator cleaned the part, put it into a plastic sleeve and placed it into the box to be shipped later that day! GE expects to place an order and have the order in their hands no more than 5 days later. And Columbia delivers! "Columbia is a quick reaction company," continued Fred.

That is the normal "Raving Fan" info I like to include in our articles, but what really made Fred’s eyes light up was when we talked about his "spare time." I was surprised by his zest and enthusiasm when we talked about the thousands of lights he installs for the Christmas holiday, his ponds stocked with fish and the extensive garden train he maintains to share with friends, family and neighbors. Soon he will begin installation of an additional 16,000 feet of silver-nickel track. What a hobby!

Hearing Fred passionately talk about his business and then his hobby made me think of my dad. I admire the way Joe has been able to focus on MSI for the last 25 years. He is always intense about his vision. The way he always has a clear cut direction to steer us all – Multi-tasking, Throughput, Cash Flow! However, I often see him in the evening hurriedly preparing to leave MSI to make it to his Garden Club or Shade Garden committee meeting. I see his eyes light up as he puts his gardening gloves on. I know how important his hobby is to him.

I enjoyed my trip to Columbia Metal Spinning. This customer visit helped to validate my dad’s 20+ year vision - Mazak Multi-tasking does help our customers to compete and make money in their marketplace. But I will always remember Fred’s hobby and the way he talked about it – there is life after work!

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