We Have Moved!

We just wanted to let you know that we haven't forgotten about you!

 If you were wondering why we haven't posted recently, don't worry... You can still see all of your favorite Short Run Pro USA blog posts in Tumblr! 

So follow us at http://shortrunpro.tumblr.com/.

As always, thank you for reading and have a great day!!

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 we should be thankful this holiday season.

CHARLOTTE, NC – In rough economic times it is sometimes hard to find things for which to be thankful and those things to look forward to accomplishing. At Short Run Pro, we feel the crush of an economic downturn just like most other companies in the U.S.

However, we also refuse to overlook the things that put the smile on our faces. This year we had the wonderful opportunity to work with thousands of customers across this great country. Our solutions for custom metal manufacturing helped homeowners and small and large businesses. It is humbling and gratifying at the same time to consider this.

This year we saw many of our manufacturing partners grow while their industry floundered. We have established new production facilities and increased production right here in the USA! Many jobs were kept because of our efforts and for that we can only say – “ thank God!”

We also had the opportunity to grow as a company. The growth extends over the full extent of our company, but the most significant growth is the new faces that we see. New individuals have entered our business and our lives. They bring with them valuable talents that help Short Run Pro help our customers. We are thankful for each one!

All of us here at Short Run Pro, wish you and yours a happy and prosperous New Year. And looking at the last 12 months we can say Bring on 2011, Baby! We hope we will have the opportunity to serve your metal parts needs in the upcoming year. Know that we will continue to push hard to bring more work to the production floors of the United States and to bring to our customer the highest quality products available in the world! ~ www.shortrunpro.com