AIR LIFT COMPANY: Enhancing Safety and Efficiency Through Automation
We knew what we wanted to achieve but weren’t sure how to get started. MMTC’s clear communication and guidance made all the difference. Their expertise and support helped us navigate the process and access opportunities that are truly making an impact on our business.
-- Yolanda Shriber, Training Coordinator
Founded in 1949 and headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, Air Lift Company (www.airliftcompany.com) has been a leader in air suspension products for more than 70 years. The company began with a single patented design, a rubber air spring inserted into a car’s factory coil spring and has since evolved into a full line of advanced suspension systems for passenger vehicles, trucks, RVs, and commercial fleets. With 180 employees, Air Lift’s mission is to engineer, manufacture, and deliver the best-performing, most reliable air suspension solutions in the industry.
Challenge
Air Lift Company fosters a strong culture of continuous improvement and forward-thinking manufacturing. One area identified for enhancement was the challenging-to-staff Sealing/Trimming work cell, where employees manually removed fabric from the Air Lift 1000 bag after sealing, which created strain and increased the risk of injury. To address this, Air Lift aimed to modernize the equipment to improve safety, efficiency, and workflow while maintaining high-quality output.
Solution
Air Lift Company reached out to the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC) for support. MMTC conducted a Technology Opportunity Assessment at Air Lift’s facility, which confirmed that the process for cleaning the sealed connection area of the Air Lift 1000 bag was outdated and slowed production. MMTC identified opportunities for automation, provided a detailed roadmap for integrating new equipment, and introduced Air Lift to the MEDC Industry 4.0 Technology Implementation grant.
Using this grant, Air Lift custom-designed, built, and tested an automated grinding system that eliminated manual work. The upgraded process now operates with consistent precision, improves production efficiency, and reduces employee injury.
Results
- New Investment: $60,000
- Retained Jobs: 2
- Injury Reduction: 100% in the sealing area