[TenTec] Re: Mis-information in Tentec digest, Vol 1 #340

[Joel R. Hallas]

Well put and very timely!

Thanks and 73,
Joel Hallas, W1ZR

Allan Henry Kaplan wrote:

> I would like to put to rest some misinformation that a poorly informed =
ham expressed:
>
> =E2=80=9CLast time I visited the Ten-Tec factory (2002) I was
> disappointed in the overall looks of the place i.e. lack of staff,
> maintenance of the outside and inside of the facility, etc.=E2=80=9D
>
> Holding only a small, but loyal, fraction of the amateur radio market, =
the Ten-Tec management pays not enough attention to appearance of the fac=
ility.  The time, money, and effort goes into engineering and business ma=
nagement for a very difficult amateur radio market.   The facility is kin=
da shabby, but entirely competent where it really counts.  The staff is l=
ean, but far from mean.  People are hired only when business justifies it=
, and let go only when necessary to keep costs in line with sales, or whe=
n someone=E2=80=99s  performance does not meet the company=E2=80=99s need=
s.   Ten-Tec is a survivor in a business strewn with the corpses of less =
well managed, but prettier companies.
>
> =E2=80=9CThe Ten-Tec amateur product line is not their big money maker.=
  They build enclosures for several different manufactures, have U.S. Gov=
ernment
> contracts, etc..=E2=80=9D
>
> Not too well informed!  The amateur radio business is the primary reaso=
n for Ten-Tec=E2=80=99s existence, but Ten-Tec does comprise two addition=
al businesses:  the fairly well-known standard and custom enclosure busin=
ess which services, not several but dozens, of small-to-midsize businesse=
s; and a tool and die machine shop where craftsmen design, manufacture, m=
odify, and repair injection molds and dies for manufacturers (including s=
ome large automobile companies) of plastic and metal casting parts.   Bot=
h business drew on the background and talents of the founding hams from E=
lectrovoice, as they started to develop innovative amateur radio equipmen=
t.   Over the years, this diversity of design and manufacture has sustain=
ed the company through some difficult times.   Ten-Tec receivers continue=
 to have a good reputation for performance vs. value with several departm=
ents of the US government and have done very well, but that is an on and =
off market.
>
> =E2=80=9CAlso, their amateur radio products are manufactured when they =
receive orders
> for 100 or 200 units then they activate the production line.=E2=80=9D
>
> That is absolute rubbish!  Production planning happens several times pe=
r year, well in advance of actual orders.  It is a careful and well-reaso=
ned exercise which attempts to meet anticipated demand before the fact, t=
o keep a reasonable but not excessive inventory in stock, and to keep as =
many production people employed as feasible.  To claim that production is=
 activated only after orders come in is to display a profound ignorance o=
f manufacturing and management!!
>
> =E2=80=9C When I visited, I was impressed with the technical staff and =
manufacturing techs.=E2=80=9D
>
> Congratulations, Bill.  You got one right!
>
> I base the above assertions on forty plus years of engineering experien=
ce capped by three and a half great years working for Ten-Tec engineering=
 before my present state of happy retirement.  It is a privilege to conti=
nue my association with Ten-Tec on an as-needed basis.
>
> 73, Allan Kaplan, W1AEL.
>
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