Almar Tools of Camas, Washington is a growing multi-generational tool-cutting manufacturer answering the call of technology and customer problem solving.
By Jennifer Ferrero
The business landscape has been drastically changing in recent years. However, some aspects of operating and growing a family-owned business remain consistent.
In a third-generation family business, like Almar Tools of Camas, Washington, CFO Ryan Heredia brings business acumen to the CNC machine tool maker today, and into the future. They call themselves “The West Coast’s Premier Grinding Shop,” but they are so much more. They offer cutting tools, custom tooling, tool reconditioning, wire EDM, and PVD coating. This story illuminates their products and solutions for their customers, and how they are building the company for the next generation.
Heredia was in college studying business at Eastern Washington University when his grandparents visited him. His grandfather, Luis Heredia, approached him about being involved in the business following graduation. He hadn’t planned to join the business because his father, Alex, and uncle, Marcelo, were already operating the business. But he yielded to their request and hasn’t looked back since.
Today, Almar Tools — with Alex Heredia (62) and Marcelo Heredia (59), still in leadership in the company — is starting to look toward second-generation retirement and the future of the company.
The company was founded in 1980 when Ryan’s grandfather relocated from Argentina to Los Angeles to work at Deutsche Aircraft, and subsequently to Portland, Oregon, to work at Boeing. He saw a need for regrinding cutting tools, so he bought a used manual regrinding machine and took it from there.
Almar Tools, currently in a 12,000-square-foot facility, is now expanding with an additional 1,500 square feet and plans for another 7,000 square feet. With 19 employees and a 20th on the way, the company’s growth is a testament to their success. This strategic expansion and continuous hiring reflect their commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the aerospace manufacturing industry.
In managing the financials, Ryan said he enjoys the diversity of his days. His role also includes human resources, workflow development, production scheduling, and assisting in the management of their largest accounts. He also has a keen sense of the facility’s equipment, and plans for purchasing more machinery. He said, “Every day is different, and you never know what new problems are going to arise.” He enjoys problem solving and seems to take it in stride.
In machining, cutting tools that are heavily used become dull. When that happens, customers would send them back to Almar to have them reground. For many years, they focused on regrinding. As the business evolved, they progressed into creating new tooling for customers and expanding into the aerospace industry.
One customer who buys their tooling for defense-related projects is Jacob Salgado, production manager with 3V Precision Machining, Inc. (www.3vpm.com). Salgado said he’s been at his company for seven years and also serves as their purchasing agent. Their business provides detailed assemblies for their customers as a manufacturer of complex high-quality CNC components. They’ve been in business since 1993 and have worked with Almar Tools since 2021. Salgado said they buy all-new high-volume cutting tools. He shared that they’ve purchased reground tools in the past, but based upon their volume of work and high usage, they need new tools. “Due to the nature of the shop and how frequently we’re changing tools, we need to have a repeatable process with new tooling. With renewed/reground tools, the diameter and length of the tool can vary and can create mistakes with newer (CNC) operators.”
Regarding cost savings in purchasing from a small, family-owned business like Almar Tools, Salgado said, “Any time you can cut out the middleman, there will be cost savings.” He cited that going directly to Almar, instead of through a large national distributor, saves money. He also said that the communication from Almar, mostly via his interactions with Ryan, is superb. “His service is phenomenal. I think he must have his phone taped to his face.”
David Flores, a coating technician at Almar Tools, has a unique and varied background in manufacturing, with experience in quality management. He said he was the first one in the department, so he’s been able to develop processes that meet customer requirements.
Flores is an expert in the coating process, processing between 3,000 to 8,000 parts per week. He enjoys his job and says, “Honestly, I’ve worked at many companies with thousands of employees. Almar Tools meets customer requirements and expectations.” He shared they can take a rush order for a customer and get it to them very quickly. An order placed on Tuesday can be shipped to the customer by Friday, “which is pretty incredible, when you think about what it takes to make these tools.”
He stated they carry inventory for larger customers that have regular orders, and offer blanket POs for customers. He and Ryan routinely assess what’s in inventory, so he knows what to forecast for the coating department.
Flores said the company is committed to new technology, and they have a technology road map for growth in the machine shop. They update machinery software and said, “Almar is always looking for the latest technology that will give them an edge over the competition.” On the coating side, they keep an eye on new developments or the need for more staffing and equipment.
Flores noted there’s not much competition in this space. His previous employer had used tools sharpened by Almar, which is how he discovered them. However, he noted that often people try to buy off the shelf, but it’s not always the right solution. By using Almar, customers have an opportunity to order precision tools. He thinks that manufacturing in the region is experiencing rapid growth, and he sees the business continuing to grow, while automating processes.
For new hires, Ryan has teamed up with local high schools, including robotics teams. He said, “So much of current manufacturing is technology based, it is great to find young kids who are comfortable and have expertise in that area.”
Almar launches a new online website and catalog for tool ordering:
One of Ryan’s proud accomplishments is that they have recently launched a catalog and website for tool ordering: “We really believe this will be the future of the company.” They are premiering their new technology at the West Coast Technology and Manufacturing Show in Anaheim, California. According to the website, “Anaheim, California, brings together the best of both worlds with time-tested manufacturing strength and forward-thinking technology. The region is home to over 5,000 manufacturers and a workforce supported by top universities. It has become a hub for innovation in aerospace, medical devices, precision machining, and more.” (https://west.mtseries.com/)
Almar’s main competition comes from distributors. “The new website will streamline customer interactions, making it easier for them to purchase directly from the manufacturer,” Ryan remarked. However, he said their model will not only include placing orders through the new website, but they’ll also take orders via phone and email. He expects to find new customers by having a more advanced website. He said the overall process will be less cumbersome for new customers, as once they set up an account, they can place the order and have it shipped out immediately.
For high-volume customers, Almar provides a tray system for purchasing tooling. These trays enable large quantities of tools to be shipped without the need for individual packaging, saving both time and money. This system also helps reduce waste by preventing thousands of plastic tool holders from ending up in landfills. This type of innovation makes it easy for 3V Precision Machining to do business with Almar Tools.
Another aspect of interest in online ordering for a company like Almar is that existing customers will not necessarily have to pay by credit card, as they have been accustomed to paying on terms. “We want to make it as easy as possible, whether you’ve been in business for 20 years or are new. Amazon changed the game for everyone. They all want one-click and 2-day shipping.”
Ryan mentioned that many people in the industry belong to an older generation, and he believes it’s more challenging for larger, older companies to embrace technological changes. “We see this as an opportunity for us.”
When Ryan’s grandfather started the business, he quickly determined how to solve a problem for the aerospace manufacturing industry with the needed cutting tools. While he may not have envisioned Almar’s technology back then, his company is in good hands with Ryan, his father, uncle, and a team of skilled machinists.
