September 2009 – – ITW Heartland’s Strategic Assembly Solutions recently received approval from Illinois Tool Works for its cycle counting inventory controls and processes. ITW Heartland, an ITW company since 1982, demonstrated accurate management of raw materials and finished goods as part of the review.

Cycle counting involves periodically reviewing the actual inventory found in a warehouse versus the counts maintained by the computer. Cycle counts are less disruptive to daily operations and provide an ongoing measure of inventory accuracy. Because of Heartland’s high performance, a traditional physical inventory which stops operations is not required later this year.

“We are able to meet customer commitments and optimize stock levels, even in an uncertain economic environment,” said General Manager Brian Baustian. “When building our customers’ products and machines, they can be assured that we will be on time in our delivery as we have good management of our materials and their movement through the production facility. This review verifies that our inventory management controls are solid.”

ITW Heartland is a certified leader in precision engineered machines, parts, gears, and electro-mechanical products. Located in Alexandria, Minnesota, ITW Heartland has three distinct divisions: Spiroid Gearing (design and manufacturing of custom gearing); Manufactured Products (machining of close tolerances and complex components); and Strategic Assembly Solutions (complete machine assembly services). As an Illinois Tool Works company, ITW Heartland operates from a position of financial stability, engineering excellence, and refined manufacturing process.