The AMT service department is more than just a team of engineers – it’s a powerhouse of knowledge, skill, and dedication that ensures clients get the best support in the industry. Let’s take a closer look at what sets AMT’s service department apart and see what goes on in the years and months leading up to the moment when one of their service engineers steps into your facility to help solve a problem or implement a solution.
AMT stands out in the market as a dual powerhouse, offering both a successful integrator business and an equally successful services business. While many integrators have small service departments, often comprising just 5-10 people, AMT boasts around 75 engineers, making it a fully developed and robust arm of the business, providing support and flexibility to our clients.
Among those engineers, there is a small team of hardware designers specializing in AutoCAD and EPLAN electrical designs. Additionally, there are controls engineers cross-trained in both software and hardware who can provide support on either side of the business. The vast majority of the team members are dual skillset, adept at both robot and PLC programming, enabling our engineers to tackle a variety of challenges.
Engineers are either embedded in long-term projects or work on a variety of short-term assignments. Approximately 20-30 engineers are semi-permanently working on other integrators’ projects, providing continuous support until the project is completed. Others work on project-based assignments, ranging from a few weeks to several months, ensuring flexibility and adaptability to meet client needs.
AMT serves a wide range of clients, including integrators, end-users, Tier 1, 2, and 3 suppliers, and OEMs. Calls come from various sectors, showcasing AMT’s versatility and expertise. Engineers work on an array of different types of projects, from automotive manufacturing to medical and food & beverage industries, providing solutions to complex problems and maintaining long-term relationships with clients.
At AMT, our RISE Core Values of respect, integrity, support, and excellence shape everything we do. Candidates must share these values, with ability and experience being secondary. Teamwork is crucial; while only one engineer may be on a job, they have the support of the entire team. This camaraderie and sense of teamwork are integral to success. Engineers trust each other, knowing they can rely on their colleagues for support and advice.
With the service department, clients are not just getting one highly trained engineer; they are getting the combined expertise of the whole group. Camaraderie is deeply ingrained in the culture, ensuring that more sets of eyes are always better. No one at AMT is an island; each engineer is a player on a supportive team. AMT doesn't provide just an engineer who might fix the problem and move on. Instead, AMT provides a team.
“The sense of teamwork and camaraderie within the services team is truly the secret sauce that sets us apart. There's an indescribable level of trust among the engineers that empowers them to execute their tasks confidently. They know that if they make a mistake, they have a supportive team to fall back on. Whenever they encounter something unknown, they can reach out to any of the 70+ engineers. It's a genuinely supportive environment, fostered by leaders like Dinesh Vasabakthula, Steve Hohenadel, Cal Huffman, and Dan Ivan. This culture of trust and support is what truly distinguishes AMT services."
-AJ Kahler, Director of Controls and Robotics at AMT
Before an AMT engineer shows up at a client’s door, they go through the Automation Academy. AMT’s engineers are not training on your job; they are fully prepared before they step into a facility. The Academy ensures engineers are well-prepared and highly skilled, covering core automation skills such as PLC programming, robot programming, AMRs (autonomous mobile robots), distributed control systems (DCS), servo drives, and vision systems.
The Academy’s training is not one-size-fits-all; it is tailored to each engineer’s needs, ranging from 8 to 14 weeks. The Academy also includes customer-specific training, allowing engineers to learn client standards before starting a project. With dedicated trainers and a fully-equipped lab, the Academy ensures engineers are ready to hit the ground running, no matter the assignment.
The Automation Academy is continually improving, adding more hardware, and expanding training capabilities. AMT now has ABB robots in addition to FANUC robots, enabling engineers to become proficient in multiple systems. Experts like Dinesh Vasabakthula provide training in Siemens controls, and Jason Markesino, the Innovation Manager, has incorporated autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) into the curriculum.
The Automation Academy is not just about training engineers for client projects; it’s also a key factor in attracting new talent to AMT. Knowing that they will receive top-tier training and ongoing support, engineers are eager to join AMT. The promise of becoming the best in their field is highly attractive to potential hires, even people who don’t have technical degrees.
AMT’s commitment to properly preparing new hires before their first project demonstrates the company’s dedication to and investment in their professional development. This focus on comprehensive training and skill development makes AMT a desirable place to work for both new graduates and experienced professionals looking to advance their careers.
One of the key indicators of the service department’s success is the high level of repeat business received. Our customers are our best advocates, often referring new clients. Over the past three years, most service business has come from repeat customers and referrals from AMT’s systems division, as well as from vendor partners like FANUC and Rockwell Automation.
AMT’s approach to customer satisfaction goes beyond just completing a project. Building strong relationships with clients, understanding their needs, and providing continuous support is crucial. AMT engineers are not just problem-solvers; they are partners in clients’ success. This level of dedication and support ensures that clients return for future projects and recommend AMT to others.
While our service department’s uniqueness and quality are evident through referrals and repeat business, industry certifications provide a standardized way to validate our expertise and commitment to excellence. These certifications serve as tangible proof of our capabilities and dedication. AMT’s service department holds various industry certifications, including:
At AMT, the service department is more than just a team of engineers. It’s a culture of continuous learning, teamwork, and dedication. From rigorous training at the Automation Academy to industry certifications and a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction, AMT’s service department is truly a cut above the rest. When choosing AMT, clients are not just getting an engineer; they’re getting the combined expertise and support of an entire team.