More On the FARO-Trimble Partnership

The FARO-Trimble partnership announced earlier this year has paved the way for Trimble to distribute FARO laser scanners through its global network (coverage here and here).

FARO has always been an advocate for the democratization of measurement and 3D imaging technology. Like FARO, Trimble has served their customers for over 30 years by delivering leading technologies that solve measurement challenges. By partnering with Trimble, industries like civil engineering, surveying and transportation – industries where Trimble has a well-established brand – will benefit from increased access to FARO-built products. Trimble has achieved great success in these particular markets, so they’ll work to put FARO scanners (re-branded under an OEM agreement as the TrimbleTX5) in the hands of many more new users.

The agreement also means that FARO can forge deeper relationships in the many markets that we will continue to serve directly or through our own family of distributors, including forensics, architecture, insurance, entertainment and gaming, petrochemical, historical preservation, manufacturing and industrial measurement. FARO also adds greater emphasis on the development of complete scanning solutions –hardware, software, training, and other solutions that work together to improve customers’ workflows. The recently-announced FARO 3D App Center is one example of how FARO will find new ways to make use of 3D data.

True democratization of 3D imaging technology is closer than ever thanks to FARO’s OEM agreement with Trimble. More scanning users and solutions will be good for everyone, especially the customers FARO and Trimble serve. This partnership puts more scanners into the hands of more people, creates new opportunities for FARO to develop stacks of products and services, and ultimately creates a larger community of users who will learn and exchange ideas with one another. 

The Return of Manufacturing

While manufacturing jobs are still disappearing, US companies keep on producing. “American factories continue to churn out hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods annually – everything from Ford trucks and Boeing airplanes to Gordon & Smith surfboards and Viking appliances.” (msnbc.com)

US manufacturing has been changing over the years focusing more on items that require fewer workers to produce them, and provide a much greater value. Even the lower cost items that are produced here are usually done so with less people and more automated machines.

The article on msnbc.com makes a good point, in that most people do think of American manufacturing as large companies such as Caterpillar, General Motors, and Boeing. However, there are many smaller businesses making items that support these companies by providing specialized parts and services.

In order for these smaller companies to remain competitive, it’s also important that the parts they produce and the services they provide are top-notch. Quality control and assurance procedures are an important part of this.

As we all continue to watch as the economy starts to slowly recover, we are reminded that having efficient business practices and lean manufacturing processes can help prepare us for the future – as we can never be sure what it will bring.