Bi-Link Celebrates 50 Years of Meeting Customer Needs
Bi-Link opened for business as a captive tool & die house in March, 1961. Soon, customers were asking the tool shop to make parts and Elmhurst Stamping & Manufacturing started with its first punch press in 1969, headed by Jerry Lorbeck as Owner/President.
In 1974, recognizing a great opportunity, Lorbeck combined Elmhurst Stamping with Bi-Link, to create the Bi-Link Metal Specialties that exists today. Again, focusing on customer needs, Bi-Link opened a facility in Deerfield Beach, Florida (1978). Bi-Link North and Bi-Link South were positioning the company for the next phase of growth.
The 80s brought challenges & changes that would set the standard for Bi-Link’s future. David Myers was made president and focused the company on precision stamping, positioning the company to take advantage of the emerging electronics market. Precision manufacturing required new thinking and the Bi-Link Team was an early adopter of the global quality trends, considered a bit radical ideas for a metal stamping job shop at the time, such as SPC and ISO certification. Embracing new quality initiatives, focus on meeting customer demands and establishing a flexible, resource rich environment, helped evolve a new culture at Bi-Link.
International expansion was a product of this evolved thinking. Facilities in Singapore (1992), Scotland (1995) and Malaysia (1998) were established. Bi-Link was able compete in foreign markets, using the formula that made them successful in North America: Flat organizational structure, rapid decision making, customer needs focus and retaining key employees. This spirit continues today.
Globalization and competition were driving factors in the early 2000s. Opening a facility in Shanghai, China (2000) put Bi-Link on a new growth trajectory. Customers wanted a one-stop shop. Bi-Link added injection molding and expanded their customer base beyond the traditional electronics & wireless industry. A North American molding facility was established in Juarez, Mexico (2006), to complement their global capability. Automotive customers now had a unique supplier: one that had an established China & NAFTA presence.
Bi-Link continues to expand and grow in capability and industries. The latest addition of a Class 100k Clean Room in Shanghai, multiple in-house capabilities and global footprint is quickly establishing Bi-Link as a ‘go to’ supplier to the medical industry.
Global facilities and technology are only part of the Bi-Link story. Through the years, it’s the employees that have made a difference. Today, Bi-Link’s 1,800 employees worldwide dedicate themselves to insuring our customers are delighted with the components, assemblies and service supplied by Bi-Link.
Bi-Link, founded in 1961 and headquartered in Bloomingdale, Illinois, with wholly owned facilities in North America & Asia, is a leading global manufacturer of metal stampings, insert moldings, prototypes and a wide range of assembled components to Fortune 500 companies in the electronics, automotive, medical and consumer industries.
Bi-Link Opens India Office
Headquartered in Chennai, Bi-Link has established its newest Asian operation, positioning itself to capitalize on the rapidly expanding Indian manufacturing sector. The growth of the electronics and high end automotive manufacturing industries in the area were the prime drivers for the selection of Chennai as the launch location. Initially, the facility will supply die cut products, supplying rapid prototypes and low-to-medium volume production for the Indian market.
“This expansion represents a significant step in furthering our established global footprint”, said Tom Harris, Vice-President, Asian Operations. “In the Chennai area, we have an established global customer base and will be aggressively pursuing many new customers, bringing Bi-Link’s world class service and support to the Indian market”, commented Harris.
The site will be staffed with technical and sales personnel. During the start up phase, the company’s other services, metal stampings and injection moulded parts, will be supplied by Bi-Link’s Malaysia & China facilities.