BEST IN CLASS PROFILE
PRINCE INDUSTRIES, INC.
Edward F. Miller, Vice President and Corporate Secretary of Prince, believes his father’s company delivers on their promise of quality.
company facts Founded: 1959 Location: Carol Stream, IL and Shanghai, China Business Scope: Providing global solutions to customers using machining, turning, CNC Swiss, grinding/honing, assembly, procurement and engineering expertise. Annual Sales: $32 Million Employees: 200 in US, 80 in China A Horton Group Client: Since 2001
“The Horton Group’s representatives in China have greatly helped expedite the processes of our overseas operation. Whether in China or here in America, Horton has shown us that their top priority is delivering prompt and expert service. The people we work with are straight shooters and are always quick to solve any issue.” - Edward F. Miller, Vice President and Corporate Secretary Prince Industries, Inc.
One of Prince’s skilled engineers operates their Automated Plate Laser which is used to produce a variety of parts for many industries.
A Local Company with Global Capabilities fter purchasing a single drill press, Edward K. Miller founded Prince Industries in his Chicago basement in 1959. Today, Prince is a highly regarded global manufacturer with facilities in the U.S. and China.
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their Shanghai facility, which opened in 2002. Prince also maintains a team of skilled Account Managers who stay focused on service and maintain an open line of communication with clients.
Far East Brings Big Gains With an experienced staff utilizing the latest, most innovative technologies, Prince designs, develops and delivers precise components for a variety of industries, including construction, dental, telecommunications and automotive. “We are a creative American company that seizes opportunities in the marketplace,” said Mark Miller, Edward K. Miller’s son and current Prince CEO. “Our father never tolerated any doom or gloom here. All issues that arise are addressed head on and with a positive eye toward the future of the company.”
In contrast to many other American companies, Prince doesn’t just represent a Chinese manufacturer – they are a Chinese manufacturer. Prince’s status in China gives them control over production and delivery in any market condition. Flying to Shanghai up to eight times each year, Edward K. Miller has developed a true passion for Prince’s global operation.
Edward F. Miller serves as Prince’s Vice President and Corporate Secretary. In addition to his finance and insurance responsibilities, Edward F. Miller serves as the company’s legal counsel. David Miller, the youngest of the Miller brothers, serves as the IT Manager at the technologically advanced Carol Stream, IL facility. Degreed mechanical and manufacturing engineers are everywhere at Prince. Ongoing training programs are performed at nearby Northern Illinois University. The company employs 180 people in the U.S. and 60 people in
Tom Palmer (left), Senior Vice President of The Horton Group and Johnny Zhao, Chief Representative of Horton Insurance Brokers, Ltd. (The Horton Group’s Beijing office) tour the Carol Stream Prince facility.
Greg Roskuszka (left), President of Prince, and Ed Young, Senior Vice President of The Horton Group, discuss employee benefits.
Prince is dedicated to reinvesting in the latest, most innovative engineering technologies.
“Our China venture was like a start-up to our dad, which really fired him up,” Edward F. Miller said. “He is largely responsible for the success of our Shanghai facility.”
With more than 240 total employees in the US and China, Prince keeps safety a top priority.
Managing tandem facilities in the U.S. and China has brought Prince its share of difficulties, which in turn influenced changes in their overall operations.
efficiently in China, all ultra precision tooling is done here in the U.S. The Prototype Department is where Prince’s engineers and machinists bring ideas to life utilizing the latest technologies. Prince combines their advanced technologies with the ability to design components for customers globally with engineers in China detailing the work done by the project engineers in the U.S.
“There was a labor strike by the longshoreman union four years ago that left our ships stacked up at sea with no way to unload,” said Mark Miller. “After this strike, we were able to validate the strategy that we had been developing with our customers that allowed us to produce product in the U.S. so that their lines would be fed regardless of outside conditions.”
“Because of our financial strength, Prince is able to invest annually in new capital equipment,” said Greg Roskuszka. “Our massive new Horizontal Machining Center gives us the ability to produce nine exact parts at once. Prince also has the technology to measure tolerances of parts to six decimal places – the average human hair is just three one-thousandths (.003) of an inch.”
Staying Ahead
Recycling is a key component of Prince’s operations. Everything from scrap metals to oil and engine coolant are carefully saved and sent to accredited recycling plants. Prince recycles up to 100,000 pounds of brass every month, which adds up to a lot of dollars being returned for reinvestment.
From engineering to manufacturing to fulfillment, Prince’s “one stop shop” capabilities are what separates them from their competitors. Add in their Chinese resources that bring economies of scale into the picture and you have a truly dynamic company. “We have been working for Caterpillar for more than ten years now, fabricating parts for much of their earthmoving and construction equipment,” said Greg Roskuszka, President of Prince. “Caterpillar continues to represent an excellent opportunity for Prince to grow in the future, and our global strategy works well with their requirements.” An ISO 9002 Certified operation, Prince delivers on their promise of quality in the milling, turning and fabrication disciplines. With membership in the Precision Machined Products Association and the Tool and Manufacturing Association, Prince stays very active in their industry.
Operational Excellence While Prince’s high volume runs are produced more
Making Insurance a Priority A Horton Group client since 2001, Prince entrusts their insurance broker with both employee health benefits and risk management services. Prince has also carried over their relationship with The Horton Group to China, where both companies maintain offices. “The Horton Group’s representatives in China have greatly helped expedite the processes of our overseas operation,” concluded Edward F. Miller, Vice President and Corporate Secretary of Prince. “Whether in China or here in America, Horton has shown us that their top priority is delivering prompt and expert service. The people we work with are straight shooters and are always quick to solve any issue. Working with The Horton Group has simply been a great experience.”
Corporate Headquarters 10320 Orland Parkway, Orland Park, IL 60467
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