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Powell appreciates the change: "I don't have to figure out why we don't have a particular part. It's their problem. It's more of a commodity now, something we buy and don't think about, other than placing an order for fifteen or whatever, and a week later fifteen show up. If we get an uptick in business, we call them and say we need 30, not 15. Since they build ahead, they can ship them right down or change their production to meet our needs. It's a whole series of events we don't have to go through anymore."

Not that there aren't occasional bumps in the production line. A small part within the sub-assembly may malfunction. Perhaps it's a part purchased from a new vendor. In the past, such an event would have caused nerve-wracking slowdowns.

But now, TPS has a partner that has a vested interest in finding the problem fast and correcting it. Powell explains how Spinco's "transparent tracking" system and its tried and true quality-control standards provide peace of mind, because the firm understands that a malfunction in the field can be very costly to a company like TPS. "I just know that whenever we do have a concern, they're more than willing to address it. We don't bicker. When we've had issues, a Spinco team travels here, or we travel as a group to their plant."

Straubing said the quality department consistently monitors the requirements of the compressor manufacturers, desiccant manufacturers and industry organizations that issue requirements related to new developments in the industry. As such, they are fully aware of such issues as the new refrigerants, compatibility of desiccants, and system contamination concerns.

Over the years, the company slowly broadened its capacity without sacrificing quality. In 1994, they acquired a brass refrigerant component manufacturing company. Then it expanded its facility to 50,000 sq ft so all of its manufacturing could be accommodated under one roof. Additional capital equipment and personnel have since been added so the company is able to meet the needs of large and small OEMs for machined component parts, as well as tubular products.

"We're prepared for growth. We have a great state-of-the-art facility and our veteran crew is seasoned to do what we need them to do," says Straubing. "So we feel we're ready to say to just about anybody, 'Why don't you let us do that?'"

Douglas Clark is a freelance writer based in the Los Angeles area.

Thermal Product Solutions, 2821 Old Route 15, New Columbia, PA 17856, 570-538-7200, Fax: 570-538-7380, www.thermalsolutions.com.

Spinco Metal Products, Inc., One Country Club Drive, Newark, NY 14513, 315-331-6285, Fax: 315-331-9535, www.spincometal.com.