REMOTE TOOLS, INC.
IRMO, SOUTH CAROLINA

THE OVERVIEW
Remote Tools, Inc. opened its Irmo company in 1996 and specializes in designing and fabricating custom manufacturing automation systems. The company designs pick and place robotic systems, solves customer problems by designing custom machinery, creates product testing systems, and integrates all of these machines to operate together seamlessly on the factory floor. The company is 51 percent minority-owned and has five employees. Remote Tools’ customers are primarily South Carolina manufacturers, including some large companies such as Westinghouse Electric, Siemens, and American Standard.

THE CHALLENGE
Keith Appel, president of Remote Tools, first found out about SCMEP through a local partner organization – the S.C. Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the University of South Carolina. Appel wanted the federal government as a customer and turned to SBDC to help him accomplish this goal. SBDC helped Appel complete grant applications for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which resulted in the company winning a Phase I research project. From there, SBDC referred Appel to SCMEP for marketing assistance.

THE SOLUTION
Appel needed a marketing tool – specifically a video explaining his company and its services – for a presentation to the U.S. Navy, a potential customer. SCMEP Manufacturing Specialist Tim Sinclair helped Appel locate Ways and Means, an animation company that assisted in the development of a video. Sinclair also assisted in negotiating a reduced fee for project completion.

Next, Remote Tools employed the services of SCMEP to assist in technology upgrades to both computer hardware and software. Remote Tools needed to upgrade its computer-aided design (CAD) software and computer equipment. Sinclair identified the CAD software that would reduce the learning curve for staff members, identified the hardware necessary to run the software, and helped Remote Tools locate and purchase the necessary product upgrades at reduced prices.

THE IMPACT
Although the U.S. Navy has yet to contract with Remote Tools to develop the proposed design, Appel says the Navy personnel know him and his company now and he is able to pick up the phone and call as needed. It has helped tremendously in laying a foundation toward the next step, getting an actual contract to be a part of the automation solution.  Appel says he can use the animated presentation as a sales presentation to other potential customers.

As far as the computer upgrades, Appel credits this project implementation with contributing to his company’s bottom line. “We have stabilized tremendously and are back in growth mode,” he says. Last year’s revenue shows 58 percent growth since the prior year.

What’s in the future? Appel says he is redefining the company’s direction, now that the past downturn in the manufacturing economy is over. “We are trying to be nimble and responsive to current demands,” he says.  A key element in the new direction is establishing long-term contracts to bolster the company’s current, short-term, project-oriented sales approach.

“I see a relationship forming based on innovation,” Appel says of SCMEP. “We need SCMEP’s services to help consolidate the technical talents in South Carolina in order to pursue long-term contracts. There is a tremendous opportunity in integrating the scientific and technical skills here in South Carolina.”