A local firm's entry ticket

When bikers in the Tour de France cross the Alps or BMX racers at home or abroad head for the finish line, they have a small, family-owned firm in Crestview to thank for an integral component of their bicycles: the ring that drives the chain. By the same token, someone relaxing with a refreshing beverage on a high-end patio chair manufactured in Alabama has the same firm to thank for the steadfast “stem” that holds the seat to the undercarriage.

On the other end of the spectrum, the smoothly operating caddy that cradles an armament in the belly of an Air Force bomber was machined in the same shop.

Custom Production was founded in 1999 to serve the bicycle component market. In a typical week, upwards of 3,000 bicycle chain rings are shipped from its Okaloosa County Air Park shop. But with seven computer numeric control cutting machines in its manufacturing bay, the firm’s capabilities expend far beyond bike sprockets.

“We can do more complex designs, including depths and sculpting,” explained general manager Michael Skrovanek, whose wife, Elizabeth, bought the business in May 2008. Together the Skrovaneks have been working to both elevate the company’s quality and diversify its client industry base.

There efforts have paid off. Last month Custom Production was certified to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001: 2008 standard by SRI Registrar of Seven Hills, Pa.

“The certification validates Custom Production’s efforts to maintain, improve and deliver the highest level of quality for aluminum component users in a variety of industries,” Michael Skrovanek said in a press release.

 “Many potential customers require certification as an entry ticket,” Elizabeth Skrovanek said. “We knew we had good internal practices, but wanted to receive the formal certification to demonstrate our prowess.”

“We think it will open some doors for us,” her husband continued. Government and defense contracts, he said, are more often assigned to ISO-rated contractors.

The ISO rating is also a sign that Custom Production’s business and operating procedures meet stringent criteria.

“A good quality system drives cost out of the process for both the manufacturer and the customer,” said Larry Ard, the company’s director of operations and one of its original founders. “In today’s economy, reducing cost and improving value is paramount.”

While the company has yet to win any huge contracts for military components, “we tend to pick up the crumbs,” chuckled Michael. “We are aiming to get subcontracts to build our resume.”

Meanwhile, forced to reduce its production team to 15 employees from 22, the Skrovaneks mind their budgets carefully. Money has been recently put into a new brochure and Web site, but the original old sign, now a bit faded, hangs out by the road.

“I haven’t changed the sign,” Michael smiled. “It’s a matter of where you spend your money.”

 Custom Production manufactures precision CNC aluminum parts at its plant in the in Crestview. The privately held firm was founded in 1999 and was recently acquired in 2008. The firm’s new president, Elizabeth Skrovanek, and its, charted a path to

For more information about Custom Production, visit http://www.customproduction.biz.