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.

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

Custom is the New Fulfillment

OCTOBER 27, 2010 – CHARLOTTE, NC – The Internet is a marvelous thing. Having the ability to communicate immediately within a medium that allows for such an abundance of knowledge and information is really changing the way we live. One of the changes most often missed, but oh so affecting brought on by the information age is the impact on manufacturing.

We are quickly going from the age of mass production to a time of individualized production that meets the customer’s specific needs. No longer is it necessary to purchase 10,000 pieces of a standard part that will be useful to everybody and their uncle. Sure the product for everybody is still the proverbial pot of gold at the end of rainbow. But now the discerning consumer is no longer looking for something lined up by the thousands on the store shelf. They want the one of a kind - their own custom product.

And the fantastic thing about it is that because of the Internet the discerning customer is finding fulfillment in their quest. With the plethora of custom production resources like Shortrunpro.com, Spoonflower.com, Ustandard.com and others dealing with all major product categories, the online buyer has a custom selection that is almost endless.

We recently serviced a customer who purchased some plastic file holders that used magnetic strips to attach to metal surfaces. These file holders was purchased from the catalog of a nationwide office supply store. The holders were an imported product that was likely warehoused by the hundreds by the supply store. Unfortunately, after one night the adhesives used to attach the magnetic strip to the plastic container broke bond and the container fell to the floor. The issue results from poor engineering and a weak product made in mass.

Disappointed and frustrated since the plastic tabs broke off on the container making it useless, the customer began searching for a better mousetrap. What they found was more than a mousetrap. They realized after using Short Run Pro’s custom part design application that they could design the exact part that they needed and we could even place their logo on it in laser etching.

It really does not cost that much more to find fulfillment in buying opportunities. Our example customer paid just over 50% more for their custom products than they did for the cheap plastic file holders. But along with the 50% more they received a solid metal holder, self designed, personalized and made entirely in the USA. They learned something too - you get what you pay for and sometimes you don’t have to pay that much more to get exactly what you want, even with a little personalization! The Internet is a marvelous thing indeed.

Production is Coming Back to the USA

The primary reasons companies have their products manufactured in the USA has always been the higher quality products turned out of factories in the USA and a desire to support the manufacturing base with the United States. The corresponding reasons to order from companies not based in the U.S. is to obtain less expensive parts, thus making one's products more competitive within the market. It is a known factor in importing and a generally accepted principal that lower quality is to be expected in countries where factories depend upon their large populations for cheap labor and therefore produce lower cost parts.

While these opposing purchasing philosophies are still applicable, the manufacturing base in the United States is now realizing other reasons for recapturing production jobs within our production facilities. In recent months, Short Run Pro has seen a greater number of urgent requirements from OEM's and medium sized businesses that had previously sent their production jobs overseas. The explained cause of this shift back to U.S. manufacturing is based upon the following factors:

1. Inadequate Resources
Due to the lack of raw materials and operation supplies within developing foreign economies, production companies in these countries are experiencing significant shortages and higher costs related to these raw materials. This is having an impact on production time frames and in extreme cases is determining whether a company remains in business.

2. Inadequate Labor
The work force within some countries is being greatly affected as the standard of living increases within the respective countries. As workers traditionally exposed to poor and often dangerous working conditions, low wages and few benefits are being exposed to advances that come with booming economies and strong demand for experienced workers their expectations naturally rise. The workers begin to demand benefit and will frequently strike or all together quite. This causes a need to find and train a new workers, which in turn affects production lead times and the quality of the parts being produced. Each time a worker quits a new one needs trained. An unreliable work force makes for an unreliable supplier.

3. Escalating Shipping Cost
Shipping costs have see massive increases over the last 3 years. It seems that as the economy within the USA was hurting its worst, shipping of products from overseas was seeing its most significant increases. Cost of fuel, governmental influences and the decrease in "back hauling" has had great impact on shipping companies. The cost to ship from foreign countries is becoming a large percentage of the entire cost to buy the item. Now customers are finding it easier and more affordable to buy a higher quality, though slightly higher cost, product from a USA-based company, than to buy a cheap inferior product overseas and pay the extensive shipping costs.

All together, these factors make a possible buyer turn from the less expensive production of parts in overseas factories. These buyers, both inside and outside the United States, are finding an excellent alternative waiting for them. An alternative that has been here all along but has been overlooked due to desired lower costs and higher profits. The manufacturing base in the USA is waiting to produce the highest quality products available in the world just for you.

If you want to get pricing from a US based manufacturer contact Short Run Pro at 704-825-1599 or visit our website at http://www.shortrunpro.com.

Independence is Work

The word independence brings up visions of the stars and stripes waving majestically in the wind, of brave men and women risking their lives on foreign soil to preserve freedom for others and visionary leaders standing against powerful rulers in pursuit of happiness that only comes when one is free and a nation independent.

There are other illustrations of independence that do not come to mind as readily but still reflect the sense and the virtue of the word independence. In light of these other illustrations I would like to both thank and celebrate the American worker.

The workforce of the United States has been responsible for some of the most extraordinary accomplishments in man’s history. The imagination and diligent application of independence active in American workers has contributed to the betterment of life for populations all over the world. Consider the revolutionizing of mass production assembly lines that put out the Ford Model T at a price affordable for the “workingman”. Think about the awe inspiring increase in production during war time 1940’s when the USA increased Gross Domestic Product each year and produced more than all axis countries combined. Our great workforce has shown again and again the ability to both hunker down and rise to the occasion.

We have not stopped being independent and we will not stop working. Some may think that the workforce of the U.S. has taken the back seat to workers in other countries. The evidence contradicts this thinking. As continued advancements are made in all areas affecting the way people live, the independent spirit of the American worker continues to lead the way. We introduced the world to duct tape, made the air conditioner safe, affordable and portable, with NASA we accomplished the Space Shuttle system and continued to the successful development of the Mars Rover. The American workforce has been the power behind countless advancement and we will likely be in the lead of bringing the next great breakthroughs realized by man.
In my line of work I often have the opportunity to walk fabrication and metal machining production floors where I truly see the greatness of our country and the independence it nurtures displayed. It can be seen in the faces of the welders with blackened shirts that carry the residue of their trade. It is captured in the hands of the machinists who thoroughly inspect the finished part for imperfection before sending it down the production line. The actions of managers with rolled up sleeves getting in elbow deep on a project to assist in its completion show the character of every virtuous moment in our nation’s history.

There are countless other illustrations in the American workforce that shine with brilliant light on a grateful people that love the land in which they live. While celebrating our independence on the upcoming 4th of July, the 236th celebrated in this great nation of the United States of America, let’s remember to think of the American worker along with all the other heroic figures brought to memory. The building and sustaining of our great nation and its freedom is written indelibly in the words “Made in the USA”.