he general manager of Illinois-based CarMon Products, Inc. agreed to share his
experience with readers of TRUMPF Express
magazine, and he called the recent process of
obtaining the financing for a new, TruLaser
2030 through a TRUMPF Inc. program that
offers flexible funding options, “Very easy.” He
explained, “There is not much to say because
TRUMPF made the process so painless.”
Car-Mon Products is an industry leader in
the removal of carbon monoxide and other
toxic materials from the air. While the company
designs and builds a wide range of standard
products for vehicle exhaust, welding fume
removal and dust collecting, much of their work
is for customers’ custom applications.
As a kid, Jeff played sports and worked at CarMon on occasion during high school. He studied
economics in college, not really thinking that
he would ever join the family firm. However,
as fate would have it, he became involved full
time. “But it’s not like only one person runs the
business,” he said, noting that there are several
family members involved with Car-Mon. As
general manager, Jeff described his role in the
company that was started over 60 years ago by
his grandfather, Cornell Imming, as “helping to
pull all of the pieces of the business together.”
T
A company takes flight
Car-Mon
clears the air
Jeff Imming doesn’t have much at all to say
about his company’s experience with TRUMPF
Finance. But that’s a good thing. Really, it is.
24 Express Vol. 1/09
In 1943, Cornell, who worked at Chicago-based
heating and ventilation contractor O.A. Wendt,
developed the first known under-floor system
for the purpose of removing vehicle exhaust. The
design was created for a prototype of a Cadillac
dealership that would occupy a multi-story
structure, with the showroom on the first level
and the maintenance and repair area on the
second floor. A requirement of the contract was
that a design to remove exhaust fumes had to be
submitted to General Motors for approval.
GM embraced Cornell’s design, which involved
a fabricated steel receptacle with a hinged door
that was placed into the flooring and connected
to sheet metal ducting that ran between the
second floor and the ceiling of the first floor.
FINANCE
“We’re an engineering-based manufacturing
company; providing complete systems to
meet customer application requirements.”
The system was adopted for other dealerships being built in urban areas,
and an underground version that fit into sewer tile became the standard
for exhaust systems in new car dealerships.
Cornell Imming’s innovative solution eventually developed into a
stand-alone manufacturing company, and by 1946, Car-Mon Products
was up and running—and a new line of HVAC products was launched. Jeff
explained what it is that sets Car-Mon apart in the 21st century: “We’re an
engineering-based manufacturing company, providing complete systems
to meet customer application requirements.”
Because the company is so focused on custom work, every day
presents unique opportunities for the employees at Car-Mon. According
to Jeff, many of the company’s design and manufacturing challenges
involve the design and fabrication of odd-shaped fittings to adapt to
exhaust systems found on military vehicles of all types—including aircraft.
For example, they developed a retractable exhaust extraction system for
the auxiliary power unit on board the state of the art F-22 Raptor aircraft.
Another challenging application was for the wing tank ventilation of the
U.S. Air Force’s C-17 aircraft that involved the design and building of a 45
foot rotating gantry.
Car-Mon produces equipment
used in the maintenance
facilities for the F-22.
was seamless, the rates were very competitive and it wasn’t required that
we complete a lot of paperwork. TRUMPF has a better understanding of
the value of their equipment than do other lenders”.
In addition to customizing and streamlining the fi nancing process
for customers, Janet said that through TRUMPF Finance, which is a
TRUMPF-owned company, customers can realize several benefits, which
Custom, seamless solutions
include improved cash flow, preservation of working capital, better
Almost every product that Car-Mon creates comes off of a TRUMPF management of the company’s bottom line, tax advantages, streamlining
laser or punch. So when the company needed to increase capacity, of the purchasing process, and preservation of bank lines of credit in
Jeff called TRUMPF. Car-Mon already had a TRUMATIC L 2510 (TruLaser the event the company needs access to funds for another purpose apart
2030) and a TRUMPF punch (TRUMATIC 2000 R). And although Car- from a capital equipment purchase.
Mon had used bank financing in the past, “It was a lot easier to go with
There is a synergism between TRUMPF Finance and its customers.
TRUMPF,” said Jeff.
After all, as Janet Barone explained, “We tailor the fi nancing to the
Janet Barone, TRUMPF’s manager of customer contracts and financing, specific needs of the customer.” And for a small manufacturer like Carsaid that Car-Mon Products was an ideal customer to participate Mon Products, it is essential to utilize creativity, engineering and the
in TRUMPF Finance. “We were able to add value to their TRUMPF ability to fabricate from raw materials to effectively deal with an ever
experience, by not only providing the technology they needed, but by changing business environment.
addressing their financing needs as well. We needed to be more flexible
and competitive than their lending partner of many years. For example,
Car-Mon Products Inc.
we were able to coordinate their approval with their delivery expectations
eliminating any unexpected shipment delays.” She also emphasized that
Who: Car-Mon Products Inc., Elgin, IL, Established in 1902.
TRUMPF offers financing plans to not only existing customers, but also
www.car-mon.com
to those in a variety of circumstances including new customers, start up
What: An engineering based manufacturing company specializing in the
companies and more.
capture and removal of noxious fumes.
Car-Mon’s reasons for going with TRUMPF Finance instead of
How: TruLaser 2030, TRUMATIC L 2510 (TruLaser 2030), TRUMATIC 2000 R
turning to another source, according to Jeff, were because “the process
Express Vol. 1/09
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