What exactly is innovation? It’s more than a brand new way of thinking, though that is definitely a key part of the equation. Genuine innovation also must have a practical application; that is, be impactfully useful. Sometimes the combination of novel idea and usefulness reach the summit and forge a whole new way of doing business.
Such is the case with Insequence Corporation. Through good fortune and a lot of hard work, Insequence pioneered the very first sequencing software application for an automotive supplier in 1996, which gave rise to a new industry paradigm called Just-in Sequence (JIS) manufacturing. A significant evolution of Just-in-Time assembly, the concept of Just-in-Sequence is the fulfillment of an ideal process: delivering the right parts in the right order at the right time.
Insequence’s entrepreneurial founders, Keith Delk and Tony Westbrook, started the company with matching $500 investments backed by their personal credit cards. Initially, they intended on providing technology products and services to manufacturers in any industry segment. But fate intervened: their big break came their first year in business when they received a request to create a custom sequencing software application for an automotive supplier. The deadline fuse was short; there was no room for error. Through grit and skill they delivered a successful implementation, demonstrating to the supplier and OEM that their software was effective and reliable. Thus began Insequence’s pioneering, leadership role in sequencing and manufacturing software.
By 1998, the founders had acquired so many automotive customers it was clear they needed to focus solely on that specific industry at that time. Insequence had established itself as an essential link between the assembly plant and the supplier. Without question, the company pioneered the ability to ship with little to no inventory. As part of their automotive industry specialization, the company not only addressed sequencing software, they also offered enhanced customer support on a 24X7 model and a new design for workstations.
In 2015 the company opened its European office in the UK to deliver additional support to its European customers across the continent. Insequence is providing the automotive manufacturing ecosystem with critical solutions for many key suppliers and logistics organizations that support OEMs throughout Europe. Its software is available in German, French, Polish, Spanish, Portuguese, and English with other languages on the horizon.
Today Insequence’s holistic family of industry-leading JIS and manufacturing execution solutions are active in hundreds of facilities across the Americas and Europe and marketed under the brand name SPD Pro (SPD stands for Sequential Parts Delivery). Notably, over a quarter century later this includes facilities operated by the company’s original 1996 customer.
In terms of influence SPD Pro is supporting every major automotive OEM in North America, along with many in South America and Europe. This list includes BMW, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Peugeot, Renault, Toyota, and Tesla, to name just a few.
For more than 25 years Insequence has blazed a trail of excellence. Its software is highly trusted by the automotive industry, is remarkably versatile, and is fully scalable. Regarding SPD Pro’s ability to grow along with its customers—no matter how large they are or how complex their needs– Insequence president and COO Tom Mitchell noted, “We’ve never found an upper limit to our capability. In fact, we like to say we make the impossible possible.”
And last but not least, Insequence puts a huge premium on its ability to provide strong customer support. Customers have access to technicians 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with support available in English, Spanish, French, German and Portuguese at the time.
Insequence Corporation is a classic American success story. From humble start-up to industry leader, the company exemplifies the very definition of business innovation.
