The story of Protomet begins with Jeff Bohannon who received his bachelor's and master's in mechanical and industrial engineering respectively from the University of Tennessee. His professional career began at Y-12 as a co-op where he participated in a 2 year rotational program geared towards upper management. He decided to leave ORNL and take on the risk of becoming an entrepreneur. His endeavors began as a consultant for Y-12 which lead to his desire of wanting to make parts. Jeff firm beliefs in writing out personal goals allowed him to be able to pursue his desire and begin his company. His first big contract came from Mercedes which consisted of a making one million parts for the automobile company. The per unit asking price was $4 to make a seat belt bushing. From this transaction Jeff learned that producing a high volume products is more lucrative than producing high end technology at a low volume. His biggest customers currently are Mastercraft and the Department of Homeland Security. Through his efforts he helps his customers understand the manufacturing process. He is also venturing into manufacturing a modular dome kit which has a retail value of $4200 which is half the cost of having the same dome hand made at a cost of $8500. Jeff attributes his success to his formula for innovation which is a step function as output increases input decreases therefore a steady input is required to balance the two.
Jeff speaking to our class about a copper machined part.
Material is sent into the warehouse where it is machined to it specified part.
Modular kits are formed for customers.
Machine used to make parts.
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