Case Study: Team MM LLC
The A400 Meets Growing Demand for Team MM LLC
- Versatility of the A400 allows Team MM to win jobs it previously wouldn't have bid on
- The A400 is 10x faster at processing copes and holes than previous methods
- Expanded business, due in part to the A400 ushering in a new era for Team MM with a new, larger facility
In 2021, Mike Kirby launched a new chapter in his career by starting Team MM LLC, a structural and miscellaneous steel fabrication shop. With over 20 years of experience and the help of several key employees, the company has quickly grown to a team of 11, including multiple specialists trained on the Bend-Tech A400.
During its first few years, Team MM used a plasma system that handled only certain size metals. They performed the majority of their handrail mitering and coping manually. As Mike and his team began to take on more handrail jobs, they needed a plasma cutter capable of providing greater precision across various shapes, materials and cuts. The A400’s versatile capabilities allowed Team MM to complete jobs accurately and more efficiently by eliminating human error and decreasing wasted material.
The A400: An Economical and Practical Choice
Team MM was already familiar with the A400 through industry recommendations, so when need arose for a more efficient solution, they didn’t spend much time shopping around. After watching a few videos of the machine in action, they reached out to Bend-Tech for additional details and quotes. The A400 stood out as an economical and practical choice aligning well with their needs.
Team MM found the Bend-Tech software and machine to be exceptionally user-friendly. Employees required minimal support during implementation and daily operations and when occasional questions arise, Bend-Tech’s support team is quick to respond with clear and helpful guidance. Team MM employees have trained themselves independently on the system, a testament to the intuitive nature of the tools. They successfully integrated Bend-Tech software seamlessly with AutoCAD, using it to overlay their designs in a straightforward and efficient process that enhances their workflow without adding complexity.
Easily Ten Times Faster
Before implementing the A400, Team MM relied heavily on manual coping and notching — a functional, but inefficient process. Cutting parts by hand led to unwanted errors requiring additional welding to fix. Even simple measuring and layout work took significant time and attention, slowing production to a crawl. It wasn’t unusual for the crew to spend a full week or more to prepare a few hundred parts.
The introduction of the A400 marked a turning point in Team MM’s fabrication workflow. The machine revolutionized multiple processes, eliminating the need for excessive welding and cleanup caused by imperfect manual cuts. The speed difference has been a game-changer. Kirby estimates the A400 is easily ten times faster at processing copes and holes than previous methods. What once took Kirby and his team months to complete can now be turned around in just a couple of weeks. When thinking about the return he is seeing with the A400, Kirby shared, “if that machine hasn’t paid for itself yet, then it won’t be long.”
Handles Complex Cuts with Pinpoint Accuracy
Now, the A400 is handling even the most complex cuts with pinpoint accuracy, and Team MM is constantly looking for new opportunities to run jobs through the machine. Parts come off clean and precise, ready for a quick touch-up and a coat of paint.
Beyond speed and accuracy, the A400 frees up skilled labor for higher-value tasks, allowing the team to focus on other areas. That efficiency doesn’t just save time, it makes room for scaling the business.
The A400 has drastically increased the work that Team MM has been able to take on.
“The versatility of the jobs we’re able to do today is because of the A400. When I see a job, I’m more likely to bid now that I know the A400 can do all of these things.”
As the A400 helps meet growing demand for their services, Team MM will be relocating to a 40,000-square-foot facility in Saginaw, Michigan, positioning them for greater operational efficiency and an even more exciting future.
