• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Innovative Manufacturers Center

Driving Manufacturing Growth and Job Creation in Central Pennsylvania

(570) 329-3200
  • Careers
  • IMC Blog
  • News
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
    • IMC Service Area
    • IMC Team
    • Success Stories
    • Central PA Manufacturing Companies
    • Partners & Network
    • Career Opportunities
    • Contact Us
  • Services
    • People
      • Brand Development
      • Business Continuity Planning
      • Elevating HR Practices for Manufacturing Success
      • Environmental & Safety Compliance
      • Lean Manufacturing User's Group
      • Manufacturing Business Growth Services
      • Sales Development
      • Tooling U-SME
    • Processes
      • Continuous Improvement
      • International Trade & Export Compliance
      • ISO 9001 Certification
      • ISO Support
      • Lean Manufacturing Level One Practitioner Certification
      • Lean Manufacturing Transformation
      • Problem Solving with Root Cause Analysis
      • Supply Chain Optimization
    • Technology
      • Advanced Manufacturing Technologies for Modern Manufacturers
      • Clean Energy Manufacturing
      • Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)
      • Digital Marketing & SEO
      • SMART-PA
      • Technology Scouting
      • Website Design
    • Innovation
      • Innovation Engineering Systems
      • Manufacturing Innovation
      • R&D Tax Credits
      • Technology and Innovation
      • Williamsport/Lycoming KIZ
        • About the Williamsport/Lycoming KIZ
        • Do I Qualify for the KIZ?
        • KIZ Tax Credits
        • Williamsport/Lycoming KIZ Benefits
        • Williamsport/Lycoming KIZ Services
  • Events
  • Training
    • People
      • Meeting the HR Challenge
    • Processes
      • ISO 9001 Certification
      • Lean Manufacturing Level One Practitioner Certification
      • Problem Solving with RCA

Success Story: TRS Technologies Realizes High-Impact Efficiencies and Process Improvements

image_pdfPrint PDFimage_printPrint

Located in Central Pennsylvania, TRS Technologies is a world leader in piezoelectric and dielectric materials technology, transforming raw powder into piezoelectric rings, discs and plates. These products are revolutionizing technologies in the medical, sensor, industrial and defense domains. Examples include medical ultrasound systems with higher resolution, reduced package size in sonar systems and new low-temperature instrumentation.

SITUATION

According to TRS president and owner, Wes Hackenberger, the company was struggling with on-time delivery and scheduling inefficiencies when he first connected with IMC. “After working for a period of time without a real tool, we had transitioned into using Microsoft Project, but even that was extremely time-consuming.” Hackenberger, himself, was spending a considerable amount of time with scheduling productive capacity and responding to customer service issues, limiting his time to focus on critical areas of business success such as pursuing new product development, adding new customers and leading the company in the execution of its business vision and mission. That’s when IMC became involved, bringing in the expertise of a third-party resource.

SOLUTION

The project was broken into several key phases: assessing the circumstances, defining current and future needs, securing RFPs from qualified vendors, facilitating software demonstrations and making recommendations on a final, integrated solution that would ultimately allow Hackenberger to delegate scheduling to another member of his team.

At the onset of the project, the resource interviewed TRS leadership and other personnel to get a full understanding of the process flow for scheduling, from quoting delivery dates through to the completion of production and the closing on the work order into finished goods. He then drafted a business process narrative describing TRS, its current technology, the value proposition for the project and the current state and future state capabilities required from software to support TRS’ requirements. The document was finalized with TRS and then circulated to vendors who fit the scope requirements. Those vendors were instructed to reply with an overview of their solution’s capability to satisfy the needs of TRS, as well as budgetary pricing.

The proposals were evaluated and TRS was assisted throughout the selection process. This included facilitating a series of software demonstrations by the vendors, who were provided a demonstration guide directing them to present at minimum what the selection team needed to review. Once vendors were narrowed through that process, solutions were discussed and a second round of presentations were convened to provide TRS the opportunity to view the software again, but with their own sample data implemented. The process enabled TRS to evaluate the solutions more thoroughly in order to make the best decisions possible.

RESULTS

Hackenberger noted that the process, itself, produced several positive results for the TRS. The impacts included:

  • On-time delivery improvements – from 70-80% to 92%
  • Retained sales – $2 million
  • Plant/equipment investment – $600,000
  • Employees retained – 10
  • Employees created – 3

These outcomes were realized as a result of the work accomplished through the project with IMC – even before implementation of a software solution. As of January 2015, TRS had not purchased the solution, but Hackenberger indicated that he would be making the investment.

image_pdfPrint PDFimage_printPrint

Filed Under: News, Success Stories

Primary Sidebar

Search

Blog Categories

  • IMC Blog
  • News
  • Success Stories

Blog Archives

Testimonials


“Through the Winning Teams program, we increased throughput in our laminate cleaning/inspection area by 18%, which also shortened the time for us to respond to vendors about defective products and t… Read more

Northway Industries, Inc.


“We’re very pleased with the results of the training. It was a great way to break the ice regarding a systemic change in one of our oldest and most experience facilities. By training on change man… Read more

Bo PrattPresidentRockland Manufacturing Co.


The IMC and its staff have played an integral part in the success of Pik Rite’s Continuous Improvement culture as well as directly influencing more efficient production and operations. The proof is … Read more

Caleb ThomasProduct Line ManagerPik Rite, Inc.


We are a small organization and do not have IT staff. Before we found IMC, the task to implement CMMC seemed almost insurmountable. With their help, the process was no longer overwhelming, and we were… Read more

Terry KnouseVice President of OperationsNuVisions Center


5 Whys, SIPOC, Value Stream Maps, etc. are great ways to visualize problems that are difficult to pinpoint.

Brandon SmithQuality Control Lead TechnicianSilcoTek


The attendees of both training programs came away energized and eager to apply their new skills in training, coaching and communications. There is broad consensus that these skills should continue to … Read more

Jeanette WraggTraining ManagerPrysmian Group


We make investments where and when our workforce is skilled and ready.  The training was a solid foundation for supervisor development.

Steve PrentissVice President of Human ResourcesNittany Paper Mills, Inc.


The Value Stream Mapping exercise conducted by the IMC enabled us to visually see the overall production process and the areas we needed to target for improvement. Without this process, QCast may not … Read more

Terry ArnoldGeneral ManagerQCast Aluminum


IMC’s resource consultant’s background and knowledge were so relevant, and his delivery set a solid foundation upon which we could build for our re-certification as well.

Robert LangOwnerLang’s Chocolates


“IMC has been an excellent resource for us to accomplish objectives that we would not have been able to achieve on our own. We would highly recommend any company taking full advantage of the services … Read more

Marc DagataPresidentMetal Integrity




Newsletter Signup

Sign up for IMC’s newsletter to get the latest news on manufacturing in Central Pennsylvania.

"*" indicates required fields

By providing your email, you agree to receive future email correspondence from IMC.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.









Upcoming Events



Jul


17


11:00 am – 11:30 am


Energy Industry Overview Map – Onshore Wind Energy



Jul


17


2:00 pm – 3:00 pm


Mastering CMMC Assessments: What You Need to Know



Jul


31


11:00 am – 11:30 am


Energy Industry Overview Map – Data Centers: Overview of Market Potential



Aug


21


11:00 am – 11:30 am


Energy Industry Overview Map – Battery Storage



Aug


21


2:00 pm – 3:00 pm


CMMC Employee Training: How to Build a Security-First Culture


View Calendar


News

IMC President is Guest Speaker on “Risk-Based Decision Making in a Time of Uncertainty” Podcast

IMC President, Dennis Gilbert had the honor of joining the kickoff episode of Survive and Thrive—a timely podcast series featured on The Quality Hub. In this first episode, Dennis joins hosts Xavier Francis and …

Read More

Central Susquehanna WSCM School Honored at Statewide Manufacturing Awards

As Central Susquehanna WSCM’s Best of PA nominees, Mount Carmel Area and Huntingdon Area Middle Schools recently joined IMC’s Lauri Moon, Manager of the Central Susquehanna WSCM program, at the What’s So Cool About Manufacturing® …

Read More

What’s So Cool About Manufacturing Video Contest Announces 2025 Central Susquehanna Awards

IMC is excited to announce the award recipients for the “What’s So Cool About Manufacturing?” (WSCM) Central Susquehanna student video contest awards.  The annual awards ceremony was held April 23rd at The Venue at Liberty …

Read More
Copyright © 2025 IMC, Inc - Site Developed by Pineapple PC
One College Avenue, Dept. 32 Williamsport, PA 17701-5799