The products it services make Leitz Tooling Systems Inc. a cut above other area businesses.
The small company tucked away on the edge of downtown Williamsport in an alley just off West Fourth Street employees just six people.
But it provides an invaluable service for companies such as sawmills, manufacturers of moldings for homes, even woodworkers.
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MIKE?REUTHER/Sun-Gazette
An employee of Leitz Tooling Systems, Inc., tends to a saw blade at the company’s facility on an alley off Fourth Street.
For customers looking to service saw blades and router bits, it's the place to come.
"We don't make anything here," said Thomas Forquer, technical sales representative. "We service carbide cutters, certain insert knives. We work with people who deal with plastics and non-ferrous metals."
The city-based business is one of nine Leitz service centers in the U.S.
"We handle generally New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland," he said. "We sell to a lot of companies in the region."
Employees such as Chase Pauling are experienced at servicing saw blades.
Recently, he demonstrated how the blades are cleaned and polished and the teeth of the saws repaired through a careful process.
It involves removing material from around the teeth to allow for better saw cutting.
Tom Koch services router bits used in manufacturing and woodworking.
He'll follow up on service orders of companies, even accommodate walk-in customers.
Clients include those in woodworking, cabinetry, and architectural millwork.
It just depends on the particular customer's needs, he said.
"We do quality work," he said. "We give customers what they want. I guarantee my bits."
Overall, Leitz provides complete tool reconditioning and repair services which includes pickup and delivery of items.
Leitz sales and service people even make workplace visits.
"We try to work with the customer to get the right tool for them," Forquer said. "Knowledge is king. Obviously, we like to go to the customer and go with their recommendations to come up with the right decision. We have to go out there and find out the nuances of their particular operation."
The most challenging part of the business, he said, is not only continuing to service customers in a tough economy, but staying abreast of the changes in the industry.
Forquer feels the Williamsport area is a good location for the business.
It's near center city Williamsport, but close to the Beltway, he said.
