Heitek Automation Grows at Lightening Speed with Arizona MEP’s Support
Heitek Automation was founded in 2000 as a pneumatic and robotic automation distributor and now operates across Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. The company represents more than 50 brands in electrical control systems, pneumatic components, valves, robotics, sensors, and other technologies used in manufacturing automation and maintenance.
In addition to distribution, Heitek provides custom-engineered automation solutions, industrial control panel assembly, and aluminum extrusion fabrication and assembly.
In 2022, Heitek expanded operations into New Mexico through the acquisition of an electronics contract manufacturer and distributor, further strengthening its manufacturing capabilities. Since 2021, employee headcount has grown from 70 to 125. The company also relocated its Phoenix operations from a 15,000-square-foot facility to a new 42,000-square-foot building to support organic growth.
Four years ago, Heitek began working with the Arizona Manufacturing Extension Partnership (Arizona MEP) to align its people and processes in preparation for continued growth.
Optimizing Facility Layout for Growth
As part of the move to a larger facility, Heitek partnered with Arizona MEP to design a layout that would support efficient workflow, safety, and long-term scalability. Arizona MEP created a small-scale physical model of the facility to help visualize equipment placement and material flow.
“We built cutouts of the equipment from our existing facility, then worked with Arizona MEP and our production teams to lay everything out based on how material moves through the shop,” said Scott Heiling, President and Quality Manager at Heitek. “We moved the cutouts until we landed on a layout that made the most efficient use of space.”
Safety considerations were also incorporated into the layout. Arizona MEP had previously assisted Heitek in updating its safety manual, and those insights informed decisions during the facility design process. While some equipment delivery delays due to supply chain disruptions continue, Heitek is actively refining the workflow as tooling is installed.
Organizational Development Supports Expansion
As operations expanded, Heitek recognized the need to strengthen its leadership structure. Arizona MEP facilitated DISC assessments for the leadership team to help ensure individuals were positioned to maximize their strengths.
Following the assessments, Arizona MEP assisted with updating job descriptions and developing training programs to support employee growth and leadership development.
“There are two paths for employees as companies grow, the technical knowledge path and the leadership path,” said Heiling. “The worst thing you can do is take someone who is excellent technically and move them into managing people when that’s not their strength. The assessments helped us avoid putting people on the wrong career path.”
Advancing a Culture of Continuous Improvement
Heitek’s continuous improvement journey with Arizona MEP began with organizational assessments and has included Lean training events, assistance with ISO certifications, and updates to the company’s safety program.
With Arizona MEP’s ongoing collaboration, Heitek continues to build the structure and capabilities needed to reach its growth goals.
“When you’re deep in day-to-day operations, it’s hard to step back and see the progress,” said Heiling. “We’re constantly asking what we need to do next and where we can improve. Arizona MEP has been a great partner, introducing new concepts and pushing us to try new approaches that help us grow.”