Fort Worth Gasket & Supply (FWG) is based in Fort Worth, Texas, with more than a century of experience producing high-quality gaskets, fluid sealing components, and hardware for defense, aerospace, and industrial applications. As a long-standing supplier to the Department of Defense and major prime contractors, FWG plays a critical role in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB)—ensuring readiness and reliability across a range of mission-critical platforms.
Certified as a small business, FWG serves federal agencies, OEMs, and defense contractors nationwide. The company has earned national recognition from the Defense Logistics Agency and the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City for its operational excellence and contributions to strengthening the U.S. supply chain.
The Situation
FWG identified an opportunity to modernize its internal processes with a focus on increasing operational efficiency, improving accuracy, and minimizing errors. By eliminating redundancies and automating repetitive tasks, the company aimed to streamline daily workflows, improve team productivity, and enhance responsiveness to customers. This transformation effort was designed not only to support long-term scalability but also to maintain the high standards expected by defense and government clients.
The Solution
FWG’s collaboration with TMAC highlights the power of the MEP National Network in assisting small, legacy manufacturers with the adoption of emerging technologies. Together, they have launched a series of innovation initiatives with tangible operational benefits:
AI Chatbot Prototype: TMAC is assisting FWG in developing a secure, on-premise AI-powered chatbot that enables staff to quickly retrieve technical data from internal sources—including purchase orders, MIL-SPECs, and inspection reports. This tool accelerates RFQ response times and significantly reduces time spent on manual data retrieval.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA): TMAC built an RPA proof-of-concept using Microsoft Power Automate to streamline back-office tasks. The solution pulls data from FWG’s internal SQL database to automatically generate accounts receivable updates and delivery reminders—reducing administrative burden and human error.
Descriptive Data Analytics: Two custom Microsoft Power BI dashboards provide FWG’s leadership with real-time visibility into key operational metrics, such as historical sales and order status. These tools support faster, evidence-based decision-making across departments.
The Results
FWG is becoming a model for how small manufacturers in the DIB can strategically integrate digital tools like AI, automation, and business intelligence to remain competitive and agile. Their use of a secure, in-house AI chatbot exemplifies alignment with the federal government’s goal to lead in artificial intelligence adoption. Innovation at FWG is not aspirational—it is active, measurable, and results-driven. With support from TMAC and the MEP National Network, FWG is blending tradition with transformation to strengthen national supply chain resilience.
