IN THE BEGINNING: DEVELOPING METROLOGY PARTNERSHIPS
Borbolla Metrology founded in 2003 by brothers Luis and Jorge quickly become the leading metrology supplier in Mexico by developing key metrology partnerships.
Companies from the U.S., Canada, China, Korea, and of course, Mexico, rely on the expertise and service of the Borbolla brothers for the CMM and metrology equipment needs.
“Before we founded the company, we’d been selling various metrology machines and equipment since the mid-90s and not every supplier delivered the level of service we wanted for our customers,” explained Luis. “From our experience of selling various metrology machines and equipment, we knew we had to start with handpicked vendors that shared our same values of quality, precision and care for the customer.”
What I enjoy most about metrology is the variety of industries and customers we deal with daily, from automotive, medical to aerospace. I remember as a child I would always ask my dad how things are made…through Borbolla I experience that and have a front row seat to how technology is evolving. I find that amazing!
There are times when we talk about reaching certain measurements and micron results, not realizing the implications of how much technology goes into getting the correct, most exact result. Or the technology in the CT (Computed Tomography) scanner that makes you feel like Superman seeing inside parts, is incredible! I enjoy what we do and the people we work with.”
Building a solid foundation on shared values and the right partners.
Their mission was to find OEM vendor-partners known for the highest accuracy and precision in their products and equally high-level service. The search left just a few companies on a pinnacle – including WENZEL America and Renishaw.
“Developing key partnerships with metrology leaders like WENZEL and Renishaw, are the foundation of Borbolla Metrology, and really put our new company on solid footing,” added Jorge. “Working with another family-owned company like WENZEL America, who are known not just for precision CMMs, but for giving the best service in the industry, gave us the confidence we needed.”
In Metrology – Accuracy and Precision are a Team Sport
According to the brothers, their partnership with WENZEL America has been vital for the development of the company and has helped them expand their service capabilities across Mexico – selling and installing more than 210 WENZEL measuring machines in a myriad of companies of all sizes. This sales volume has made Borbolla the most valuable WENZEL partner in Mexico and helped them become one of the most experienced metrology companies in the country.
When Jorge was asked what his favorite WENZEL machine is you could hear it’s a tough choice. “On the one side, I like the simplicity and clever design of the LH machines that incorporates the granite that is sourced all the way from South Africa with its excellent performance and stability. But on the other side like I mentioned before the CT makes you feel as if you have Superpowers! When you talk about scanning speed the CORE is also great! It is really a tough choice and the technology that goes into these systems fascinates me.”
WENZEL have always been confident to refer any of our U.S., Canadian, or other customers expanding into Mexico, to Borbolla Metrology knowing they will receive the same level of service they have come to expect from us.
Borbolla’s breadth of experience extends into the full WENZEL product line including 5 axis measurement and non-contact machines for NDT. They’re experts in WENZEL/Renishaw 5-axis systems, having sold and installed plenty of WENZEL frames mounted with REVO and PH20 probes. Their team also delivered the first two CORE units in Mexico, installing the 3D scanning units at a Honeywell plant. And of course, they have sold and installed many standard WENZEL Bridge CMMs in leading companies like Cummins, TRW, Pace and Delphi.
This leads us to ask what makes you the best in the business and separates you from your competitors?
“I believe it is because we offer flexible solutions and with our wide portfolio of products, they trust that Borbolla will be able to offer the best solution to their needs. For example, if we only sold hammers, we would try to fix everything with a hammer, but life does not work like that and especially not in the metrology world. That is why we try to be intricately involved to understand clearly what the challenges is our customers face, so that we could suggest the best solution and product, based on performance and price from the wide range of products we offer.” Jorge shared.
Go Big or Go Home – Installing the largest Gantry CMMs in Mexico
You could definitely say that Borbolla specializes in thinking big. With global manufacturers flocking to Mexico from China, Korea, Brazil, and Europe there is a big need for big CMMs. To ensure they can fill that need, and install even the largest CMMs, the company owns the latest Renishaw laser equipment and a Hamar alignment laser to ensure exact leveling. This means Borbolla can install custom-built large WENZEL LHF Gantry CMMs faster and easier than anyone else.
In fact, they have distinction in selling and servicing the largest custom-built WENZEL CMMs in the world. The two LHF Gantry CMMs were built and installed in Caterpillar’s Mexico plant and the largest measures 8 meters in length, 4 meters across the bridge, with a 2.5-meter measurement range in the Z-axis.
Metrology technicians as precise as the CMMs they sell.
Selling and servicing the best measuring equipment in the industry is only half the equation for Borbolla Metrology. To achieve and support the highest levels of throughput and part measurement for their customers they must follow through with the best software, service, and training. To that end, the company’s technicians are certified in the latest metrology software including WENZEL’s OpenDMIS, Pointmaster and Quartis. Their field techs also have experience in Polyworks, Geomagic, PowerInspect, and even older CMM software like MeasureMax.
With Borbolla Metrology – What you see is what you get.
Currently, Borbolla has a full-service demonstration center in Saltillo Coahuila, Mexico displaying new and used WENZEL CMMs along with different probe and sensor head configurations.
This allows the company to share their expertise and gives customers an in-person view of WENZEL CMM and Renishaw probe customizations performance. With this ability to see and understand the advantages and disadvantages of the systems clients can envision the exact inspection solution they need for precision measurement of their own parts.
Now in a post COVID world many things changed. What was the biggest challenges for Borbolla during COVID and what has changed for the better?
“When we were going through the automotive crisis in 2008/9, I was worried about the economic impact it will have not only on the American industries but also as it spilled over to Mexico and to all industries. Then a man told me: “you should be worried about the things you can change. Do not worry about the things you cannot change.” This was true and is still true today. We need to be ever-changing, to become better every day and strive to be less affected by what we cannot change.
COVID opened the door, for us to use more digital channels that enhanced our service to our customers for both sales and support. This new way of working, although different, has always been there but the potential to grow and become even better in this new way was never used, till now.
It is said you’re only as good as the company you keep.
Borbolla Metrology are approved suppliers for some of the biggest and best companies across a multitude of industries, including GM, CAT, John Deere, GE, ZF, Delphi, INTEVA, STRATTEC, CUMMINS, HELLA, VW, BOSCH, ALCOA, EMERSON, EATON, KAYDON, Whirlpool, Mitsubishi, FEMSA, METALSA, MAGNA, Messier, DANA, HBPO, Honeywell, Gulftream, Nemak, Mahle, Linamar, Tupy, Daimler, and Valeo. That’s only a partial list, but you get the point – they are your go to metrology resource in Mexico.
With all your experience and especially now that the worst of the pandemic is over, what would your advice be to business owners?
“My father always said that there is no crisis that can endure 12 hours of work. Putting in the extra time is what will make the difference. Stay close to your customer, listen more, speak less, understanding their needs, and provide the right product solution with the right price and terms will be particularly important in these times.”
IN MEXICO WE WORK HARD AND PLAY HARD
All demanding work needs to be rewarded with some time off and I could not resist asking Jorge to recommend a dream travel destination in Mexico, to our readers.
“My favorite place in Mexico is Cancun and of course the Riviera Maya. There is a lot to do for young and old, and for all budgets, from all-inclusive amazing resorts to boutique hotels. Natural water parks, snorkeling, archaeology sites of the Maya, the jungle, and a wide variety of restaurants with delicious food. In Mexico we know how to have fun and eat well.”