Machinists-Brand Components Final

Value: Thoughtfulness, Curiosity, Resourcefulness, Creativity, Persistence, Judgment

Value Description: ingenuity + problem-solving
From the way we take on technical challenges to how we work with one another, we think before we act. We ask questions, consider the angles, and make thoughtful decisions. 

Customer Notes:
This is perhaps the strongest theme in the interviews. One customer repeatedly calls Machinists “miracle workers” and describes them diagnosing a recurring bearing failure others had been unable to solve. Another customer values that they review his designs and provide technical input rather than simply machining what he sends them. Customers bring Machinists unusual, obsolete and highly specialized work specifically because they trust them to figure it out.

Value: Excellence, Quality, Craftsmanship, Precision, Pride, Accountability, Mastery

Value Description: quality + precision + pride
Good enough isn’t good enough. We sweat the details, work to exacting standards, and take pride in getting it right. When something goes wrong, what matters most is how we respond.

Customer Notes:
Quality is the most consistent positive attribute across all five interviews—even among customers with other frustrations. One customer immediately associates Machinists with “quality.” Another describes their quality as “very excellent” and can’t recall receiving something with an error. Someone else said, his team has yet to receive a part that was even “suspect,” while another says he hasn’t had a repair come back that wasn’t done right.

Value: Honesty, Candor, Transparency, Communication, Knowledge-Sharing

Value Description: openness + generosity + trust
We communicate openly and honestly, pass along our experience and expertise, and make sure others have the information they need. Sometimes one more sentence of communication is all it takes to prevent a mistake or keep things on track.

Customer Notes:
One customer specifically praises their salesperson’s “candor.”

Another says Machinists, Inc. is “100% honest,” doesn’t cut corners or “fudge the truth” to win an order, and will tell him outright when they can’t meet his schedule. 

Importantly, he considers that honesty a competitive advantage because it allows him to make informed decisions.

Value: Collaboration, Partnership, Teamwork, Cooperation, Listening, Service, Responsiveness

Value Description: relationships + shared success
Understand what the customer is trying to accomplish and invest in their success. Bring your expertise, stay engaged, and do your part to make the partnership successful.

Customer Notes:
Customers repeatedly describe their strongest Machinists relationships in personal terms. One customer says he believes Machinists values the relationship as much as he does. Another describes working “hand in hand” with Machinists during major projects, and their relationship with Washington State Ferries has developed to the point that OEMs trust Machinists with proprietary information and technical support. Another customer similarly describes Machinists effectively looking over his shoulder and helping him improve his designs.

Value: Respect, Care, Connection, Kindness, Humanity, Relationships, Community

Value Description: care + respect + connection
We respect the people behind the work. We take care of our employees, support each other, and invest in relationships that last. Machinists, Inc. is a place where good people want to do business and build a career.

Customer Notes:
Customers don’t talk only about Machinists’ equipment; they repeatedly name individual experts they rely upon. One customer values the technical guidance he receives. Another calls out their “extreme technical knowledge” and engineering abilities. Liel describes their people as “masters” and subject-matter experts. Several customers are so attached to specific Machinists employees that they express concern about what will happen when those individuals retire.

Melanie: culture is respectful, team-oriented

Machinists, Inc. has the equipment, capacity, and technical know-how to handle complex manufacturing and demanding requirements.

Customer Quotes:
“My go-to for complex work.”

“They’re almost—and I don’t want to say unequaled—but in my opinion, they’re pretty close to being unequaled in their technical capabilities.”

Our expertise goes beyond machining the part. We understand the larger systems and applications our work supports, and bring that technical perspective to every job.

Customer Quotes:
“I just don’t give them a drawing, and then they just make it from that. They kind of review it. They kind of look over my shoulder…to make sure that it’s going to be the best product.”

“They’re able to give me information that I need to help my design.”

When there’s no room to fail, customers count on our experience, precision, and follow-through to get it right—and sleep better at night knowing we’re on it.

Customer Quotes:
“When I have work where mistakes just simply can’t be made, that’s why I turn to these guys. I know what I’m going to get from them.”

“I tend to do business with people where I sleep well at night… I can’t afford mistakes on certain jobs.”

“Money well spent. They reduce risk.”

Give us a job that’s unusual, difficult, confounding, or seemingly impossible and we’ll figure out the path.

Customer Quotes:
“We took our broken, dilapidated stuff to them and asked for miracles, and they would give us miracles.”

“I can’t tell you how nice it is to work with people that are problem solvers, not problem creators.”

From sheer scale to technical intricacy, there’s a lot more happening under our roof than meets the eye. Just ask.

Customer Quotes:
“I don’t know that there’s anybody in Puget Sound that can do what they do.”

“They have expertise in areas and competence that we can’t find really too many other places.”