Metal Wine Racks: Durability and Life

So many choices, when looking to invest in wine you can get confused. The primary concern in a wine investment is picking out a wine. Do you want a red or white or both? Looking at chilling or serving at room temperature? Blend or single blend? Aged (Vintage) or Fresh? These are the important questions one must ask when searching and purchasing for this enjoyable luxury, we call, wine.

An important addition to your wine investment is the purchase of a wine rack in which to store your wine bottles. There are many options on materials to use for a wine rack - wood, plastic or metal. In wine storage is important to preserve the wine that you intend to use in the future. Bottles being as fragile as they are need a durable holder rack. When properly designed a metal wine rack can have both the durability and stylish look you seek.

Have you searched for a “certain look” and can’t find it? Do you feel like being creative and creating your own style of metal wine rack to match your interior designs? Why not submit your creative ideas and drawings to Short Run Pro and design your own, one-of-a-kind metal wine rack with everything you seek, from the design, size and number of bottle holding positions? Submit your ideas to www.ShortRunPro.com today and fulfill your desires of possessing the wine rack you always have wanted to showcase the wine bottles you spend so much time choosing.

Thanksgiving for What?

In horrible times of economic recession and lack of income, job loss and instability it seems hard to find stuff for which to be thankful. But a quick review of the origins of Thanksgiving Day in the United States and its official establishment will give insight into the real meaning of the act of giving thanks.

The original Thanksgiving celebration is traditionally thought to be a three-day feast held by the pilgrims and Native Americans to give thanks for a bountiful harvest in 1621. The same people who had bravely sailed to a new world with nothing but what was carried in their ship held the feast in Plymouth suffered through the hardship of the climate of New England with little or no food and with the help of the local Indians and a good growing season they saw another winter with better provisions.

Thanksgiving was a tradition that the pilgrims carried from their native countries. It was common to give thanks for bountiful provision and success in battle. These people knew the hardships of life in a way that we in a modern age are not accustomed. For them death, hunger, plague and pestilence were everyday fears and to be free from those fears was a reason to be thankful.

The establishment of the official Thanksgiving Day observance in the United States happened in 1863 when Abraham Lincoln set the last Thursday of November as the day that U.S. citizens would give thanks and praise to our “beneficent Father” in heaven. In his own words, President Lincoln summed up the purpose of Thanksgiving:

“No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”

It was during the time of the greatest struggle in U.S. history, when brother was fighting brother and American sons were dying by the thousands that Thanksgiving Day was established as an official celebration within the U.S. President Lincoln was a man who carried the weight of the Union that he loved on his shoulders and led through the darkest days of our countries history. Yet it was this same president that had the vision to see the goodness of God through it all and establish a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to God.

There is a connection between hardship and thanksgiving. There is a bond between feeling loss and remembering that which you have been giving. It is in times of despair that people realize all that they have and how grateful they should be for having it. Remember to give thanks this year. Shut off the T.V. Don’t listen to the talking heads. No worries about what the celebrities are doing. Think about what you have been given and give thanks for it.

Patriots Day & the USS Constitution

Last Sunday was Patriots Day, a day to commemorate the anniversary of the first battle of the American Revolutionary War. Patriotism is something that we would like to blog about here at Short Run Pro, although possibly from a slightly different angle. True patriotism is what has infused America, its people and the things we make with the highest quality craftsmanship in the world. We believe that if you love something you will invest your best into it. That is what a patriot does for his country.

As an example of the affects of patriotism on craftsmanship we submit the USS Constitution. This Warship was built and put into service by the United States in 1797 with the Naval Armament Act signed by George Washington. It was listed among six frigates commissioned in the act as the initial step toward a U.S. Navy. The USS Constitution went to work quickly and won all her engagements in the both the Quasi War and the Barbary War. But her most formidable test was to come in 1812 when President James Madison declared war on then Super Naval Power – England. During that war, the USS Constitution, fewer than 3 different captains, defeated five English warships.

It was during the battle with the HMS Guerriere that our warship received her nickname, Old Ironsides. During this engagement it was reported that the British saw their cannon fire bounce off the Constitution’s hull leaving little or no damage. It was thought by the enemy sailors that the boat was constructed with iron sides and hence the nickname. The condition of the two ships may have supported the enemy’s conclusions as the Guerriere was left a smoldering; dismasted hull while the Constitution was intact and sailing. The sides may not have had iron in them but they had a lot of patriotism!

The success of the USS Constitution no doubt surprised the British naval commanders, and it surely came as a bit of a surprised to many U.S. naval commanders as well. But it is far less likely to have surprised the men in the Boston shipyard where Old Ironsides was built. If we go back to that patriotism being connected to workmanship thing you should know that the USS Constitution was built with so much patriotism that she could have floated above the waves if necessary. In a time when being free from tyranny meant something, when that freedom was threatened in what was called the Second War of Independence, the men who built the USS Constitution invested their patriotism in a ship that would defend and uphold their freedom. They built a warship that would not be defeated.

Now at the ripe age of 214 years, Old Ironsides is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat in the world. That is long lasting, quality workmanship. That is made in the USA craftsmanship. We at Short Run Pro believe that the same patriotic craftsmanship that built the USS Constitution and keeps her afloat for over 200 years is alive and well in the hearts of the American worker today. Let the patriot in you be seen today.

For more information on Patriots Day -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriots'_Day

For more information on the USS Constitution -

http://www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution/

For more information on Short Run Pro –

http://www.shortrunpro.com

Honoring The Railroad and what it has meant to the USA.

At Short Run Pro we love the USA. We love its past. We love it now and we love its future! Sometimes it is beneficial to remember some of the great accomplishments the people of the United States did to make our country great. In this blog we want to remember the railroad!

Pictured is a steam locomotive from the Seaboard Air Line Railroad Company. This particular engine was donated to Charlotte, NC after its permanent retirement in 1959. Locomotives of this type played a critical role in the development of our country and particularly the south and western area of the USA. The service engine pictured was built in 1920. It was retired off of the Gainesville Midland Railroad in Georgia. It was one of the last steam engines in service in the south.

Whether it was the connecting of the Transamerica rail system or the regional duties performed, the railroad has contributed to making our country great. Transportation of equipment and people, moving mountains of building materials, conducting wars, and expanding into new territories has all been part of the railroad’s resume. So we honor the great achievements made by the railroad companies, the workers who ran those companies and the pioneers who laid the tracks that extended this countries opportunities and its people's dreams.

How Much Cash Do You Have locked down in Inventory?

In these times when cash can be hard to come by for most businesses it is as important as ever to have an inventory program that gives you as much cash flexibility as possible. Still many companies continue to operate on the “got to buy volume to get best price” mentality. This purchasing path takes a company into Cell Block NEOC – Not Enough Operating Capital.



Why be prisoner to vendors that make you produce in volumes equal to your annual uses? Have you considered your cash is locked into parts sitting on shelves at your facility? What about the parts that you don’ t sell? You know a discounted sale is coming for those bad boys.

When you take into consideration all the expenses related to mass production or high volume buying the payoff really does not make any sense. I mean, if you can buy high volume and move the product that is great. But too many companies are buying too much product because of the imaginary pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Think about it – so you pay 25% more per part on a $5 part because you bought 500 pieces instead of 2,500 pieces. That is an extra $625 over the 500-piece lot. Now let’s say that you move 500 pieces in 3 months so it would take you 15 months to move the 2,500. If you purchase the 2,500 pieces then you will lock up $2500 for an extra 3 months, $2500 for an extra 6 months, $2500 for an extra 9 months and $2500 for an extra 12 months. Total cash lock down over the initial 3 months is $10,000. Total lock down over the 1-year period is $5,000. All for $625 per quarter?

How much is it worth to have cash available when you need it? Good night sleeps for 3 months is way more valuable than $625. So what is the solution? Buy in lower quantities. Buy from a trusted supplier that speaks your language and can be reached when you need them. Buy where you are making the greatest impact for your own company and your neighbors. Buy right Here – in the USA. It is the best place to buy!

If you want to get started on your freedom program contact Short Run Pro today and let us show you how short run production can make your business smoother and cash happy. Contact us at sales@shortrunpro.com or 877-829-9293.

A Tribute to the Fab Shop of America

A fab shop is a shop that specializes in fabrication style metal working processes. In other words a fab shop takes metal and cuts it, bends it, forms it, drills it, welds it and finishes it. Traditionally, the term fab shop brings up thoughts of a dark, smoky place where an occasional spark from a welder can be seen out of the corner of your eye. While there may be this type of shop around, the term fab shop should not be exclusively considered in this manner.


In fact, we deal with fab shops on a daily basis. We know the processes, the facilities and people that operate them. It has been our experience at Short Run Pro that fab shops are the seedbeds of ¬creativity and innovation in metal working and manufacturing. Dealing with thousands of fabricated metal parts has allowed us to work with manufacturing on the most intricate level. While working with these fab shops we have experienced times of brilliant discussion on how a part can be modified to improve performance or capacity or even save money.


Obviously we don't see fab shops with the outsiders view. You can't take that Dante's Inferno view once you have been exposed to the fab shop environs. Once you’re in it the fab shop becomes a place where craftsmanship lives and pride abounds. We love the fab shop!

FLAG DUTY: Second Lieutenant Van T. Barfoot's Story. A proud service-man and true American.

Thank you, Russell, for sending this to us and letting us know about this fine American. Here is Second Lieutenant Van T. Barfoot's story...

On June 15, 1919, Van T. Barfoot was born in Edinburg -- probably didn't make much news back then. Twenty-five years later, on May 23, 1944, near Carano , Italy, Van T. Barfoot, who had enlisted in the Army in 1940, set out to flank German machine gun positions from which fire was coming down on his fellow soldiers. He advanced through a minefield, took out three enemy machine gun positions and returned with 17 prisoners of war.




















If that wasn't enough for a day's work, he later took on and destroyed three German tanks sent to retake the machine gun positions.

















That probably didn't make much news either, given the scope of the war, but it did earn Van T. Barfoot, who retired as a colonel after also serving in Korea and Vietnam, a Congressional Medal of Honor.
















What did make news last week was a neighborhood association's quibble with how the 90-year-old veteran chose to fly the American flag outside his suburban Virginia home. Seems the rules said a flag could be flown on a house-mounted bracket, but, for decorum, items such as Barfoot's 21-foot flagpole were unsuitable.















He had been denied a permit for the pole, erected it anyway and was facing court action if he didn't take it down. Since the story made national TV, the neighborhood association has rethought its position and agreed to indulge this old hero who dwells among them.














"In the time I have left I plan to continue to fly the American flag without interference," Barfoot told The Associated Press.

As well he should.And if any of his neighbors still takes a notion to contest him, they might want to read his Medal of Honor citation. It indicates he's not real good at backing down.


Van T. Barfoot's Medal of Honor citation:

This 1944 Medal of Honor citation, listed with the National Medal of Honor Society, is for Second Lieutenant Van T. Barfoot, 157th Infantry, 45th Infantry:
"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 23 May 1944, near Carano , Italy . With his platoon heavily engaged during an assault against forces well entrenched on commanding ground, 2d Lt. Barfoot moved off alone upon the enemy left flank. He crawled to the proximity of 1 machinegun nest and made a direct hit on it with a hand grenade, killing 2 and wounding 3 Germans. He continued along the German defense line to another machinegun emplacement, and with his tommygun killed 2 and captured 3 soldiers. Members of another enemy machinegun crew then abandoned their position and gave themselves up to Sgt. Barfoot. Leaving the prisoners for his support squad to pick up, he proceeded to mop up positions in the immediate area, capturing more prisoners and bringing his total count to 17. Later that day, after he had reorganized his men and consolidated the newly captured ground, the enemy launched a fierce armored counterattack directly at his platoon positions. Securing a bazooka, Sgt. Barfoot took up an exposed position directly in front of 3 advancing Mark VI tanks. From a distance of 75 yards his first shot destroyed the track of the leading tank, effectively disabling it, while the other 2 changed direction toward the flank. As the crew of the disabled tank dismounted, Sgt. Barfoot killed 3 of them with his tommygun. He continued onward into enemy terrain and destroyed a recently abandoned German field piece with a demolition charge placed in the breech. While returning to his platoon position, Sgt. Barfoot, though greatly fatigued by his Herculean efforts, assisted 2 of his seriously wounded men 1,700 yards to a position of safety. Sgt. Barfoot's extraordinary heroism, demonstration of magnificent valor, and aggressive determination in the face of point blank fire are a perpetual inspiration to his fellow soldiers."











WE LIVE IN THE LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE!
IN GOD WE TRUST!

Why Short Run Pro is Thankful for US Steel.

US Steel has been instrumental to the world’s industrial economy since 1850. Before that decade, steel was too expensive to produce and was only used where nothing else would do. It is great for projects that require high strength and durability. It is less expensive than aluminum, titanium and other metals with a high strength to weight ratio. It is great for projects that require high electrical or conductivity or that require high resistance to corrosion.

By 1900’s the U.S. was the largest producer and also the lowest cost producer, output had tripled since 1890 and customers benefited the most. Productivity-enhancing technology encouraged faster and faster rates of investment in new plants. In the United States the central figure was Andrew Carnegie, who made Pittsburgh the center of the industry. He sold his operations to US Steel, Inc. in 1901. That company went on to become the dominant steel corporation for decades to come.

During the 70’ s US Steel could no longer compete with low-wage producers. Imports and mini-mills undercut the industry. After decades of losing out to foreign investments, US Steel, Inc reemerged in 2002 with plants in three American locations, over taking mass producers in Japan, China and India.

As a leader in the increasingly competitive global steel industry, the United States Steel Corporation is dedicated to delivering high-quality products to customers and building value for all of their stakeholders, funding American made steel and American made parts which benefit Americans.

At Federal Brace and Short Run Pro we wanted to take a minute and relive the benefits and history of American made US Steel and the comeback story that is currently ongoing. Steel is the backbone of both companies and this country. You can rest assured that we are using American made US Steel and will continue to make US Steel parts.