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Dennis Fritz, who continues to lead the company as CEO, founded DWFritz Automation in 1973. Mr. Fritz’s career began after he earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Mechanical Engineering at Oregon State University. He entered the factory automation field working as a Machine Design Research Engineer at Weyerhauser to develop new leading edge machines that improved yields and quality for Weyerhauser’s lumber and plywood mills. After working for Weyerhauser and other companies, Mr. Fritz started DWFritz Automation as a one-man consulting design-engineering firm, focusing on the lumber industry in the Northwest.
In 1988 Mr. Fritz designed a sophisticated factory automation machine for Omark Industries, now a division of Blount, Inc. This machine gave DWFritz Automation a showcase product that opened other doors and changed the future of the company. At about this time, Hewlett-Packard was growing rapidly in the inkjet printer business and needed help to design and build new production lines to keep up with demand for its products. Engineers at H-P were impressed with DWFritz’s work on the Omark machine, and hired him to design automated production machines for their new lines. The workload increased, and Mr. Fritz hired his first employee in 1992.
In the early 1990’s, Mr. Fritz’s clients were asking if he could not only design the machines, but build them as well. As a result, the company rented space at a local machine shop and transformed itself from a consulting design firm into a turnkey design and build firm. The machine shop was used to provide machined components, and DWFritz Automation engineers assembled and tested the machines.
The early systems were built by the design engineers, which turned out to be an excellent education and resulted in improved design expertise. By having to produce what they conceived, the engineers learned how to better design for manufacturability and reliability. This culture remains today as DWFritz Automation engineers work closely with the technicians on a hands-on basis during assembly and the start-up/validation of every machine.
The company grew quickly in the mid to late 1990’s, building many systems for companies in high tech industries. DWFritz developed expertise in computer control, machine vision, robotics, and micron-level precision technologies. By the early 2000’s, the company had grown to over 36 people and had become very successful.
Since that time, DWFritz Automation has grown its portfolio of clients and industries served, while maintaining its focus on sophisticated automation systems and continuing to expand its expertise in intelligent machine vision and micron-level precision technologies. DWFritz has many Fortune 500 clients in medical device manufacturing, consumer products, MEMS (Micro-Electro Mechanical Systems) manufacturing, semiconductor manufacturing, durable goods, and industrial products.
Today, DWFritz Automation is the go-to company for automation projects that are challenging, problematic, and unique. More and more companies across the globe recognize the value that DWFritz Automation brings in advanced automation projects. By utilizing intelligent machine vision, advanced robotics, and micron-level precision technologies, DWFritz Automation is able to create elegant, reliable solutions for its clients.
Contact DWFritz Automation through this website or telephone us at (503) 598-9393 to get a free evaluation of your project. We’ll review your automation needs and provide an analysis of your requirements. Get in touch.
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