Progressive Tool & Manufacturing Inc. (Greensboro, NC), a precision tool maker, is finding that customers are increasingly demanding shorter lead times. But at the same time, those customers are not willing to sacrifice quality. "More and more, our customers for a wide range of components are becoming concerned with quality, rather than price," says Richard Thompson, a partner at the firm.

For those reasons, Progressive Tool has lately been placing a premium on maximum flexibility, as well as accuracy, in the arsenal of measuring instruments that it maintains.