2020 – What a year it’s been! A global pandemic that has changed our world, home and business. Daily items now include masks, hand sanitizer, face shields. We refer to events and stories as pre-COVID or during COVID-19. We are all looking forward to life post-COVID-19.
Franklin Bronze was deemed essential to the businesses we serve in industries such as defense, food, agriculture and transportation, and therefore has remained open and operating.
There is some good that has come out of this crisis. We secured re-shored manufacturing jobs that were overseas prior to COVID-19. COVID-19 highlighted the risks associated with overseas supply and the benefits that could be gained including close customer collaboration and responsiveness.
Work Environment
Following CDC guidelines, Franklin Bronze continues to provide a safe working environment to our employees. Work station dividers were installed near work stations where a 6-foot span of distance between operators was not possible. All employees are required to wear face masks to keep themselves and others safe. Daily cleaning of surfaces is completed before, during and after shifts.
Our team members have maintained a focus, dedication and commitment to support our customers and Franklin Bronze Precision Components mission. The health and well-being of our employees, customers and suppliers is of the utmost importance.
An Unprecedented Year of Investments
2020 marks the largest investment year at Franklin Bronze. Investments were made in equipment to improve, expand and modernize.
Continued investment in robotic automation – Robot Arm replacement and introduction of Laser Level Adjustment, the first of its kind for investment casting companies.
A new shell knockoff machine for stainless steel castings, a pre-heat furnace and furnace power supply re-hose project.
Installation of a new auto wax press to expand capacity and for faster production of wax parts and upgraded both wax rooms with new chiller stations.
New FBPC branded company van to deliver investment castings. Branding done using local company, Clark Graphics.
Laser SLA 3-D printer to quickly provide prototype parts and small runs in a much shorter time frame than the full production.
Replaced air compressor in shell room with a 5HP screw air compressor for more efficient processing.
Embracing Digital
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live and do business – much of our life is now online. In many ways, our digital presence has built stronger relationships with our partners. In-person technical support has moved to phone and video.
We poured and posted videos on our YouTube channel. We highlighted the benefits of investment castings with posts we did on Castings in our Everyday Lives, 10 Advantages of Investment Castings and an example of one customer who moved from a weldment to stainless steel investment casting. We extolled the benefits of copper’s virus killing properties and with that promoted our antimicrobial bronze door handles, knobs, brackets and fixtures.
We appreciate forging different relationships this year than we have in the past. Thank you for the trust and confidence you place in us and the opportunity to support your business.
And as always, we are forever indebted to the front-line health care professionals who are leading this fight against COVID-19.
We look forward to working with you in 2021!
