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QUICK FACTS: |
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Sales
Information:
Year Ended April 30,
2005: $24,400,000 up
2%
Employment:
Ironwood: 140
Two Rivers: 50
Total Employment: 190
Upcoming Trade
Shows:
SAE Show -
Detroit
April 03-06, 2006
MD&M Show -
Minneapolis October 25-26,
2006
Snowfall
Information:
2005-2006
Snowfall
36.2" To
Date
2004-2005
Snowfall
162.3"
2003-2004
Snowfall
200.3" | | |
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Ironwood Plastics,
Inc.
Ironwood
Division 1235 Wall
Street
Ironwood, MI 49938
Phone: (906) 932-5025
Two
Rivers Division 2800
18th Street
Two Rivers, WI 54241
Phone: (920)
793-3060
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NEW TECHNOLOGY -
"Foam-In-Place"
by Mark
Stephens, Vice President
A year ago, we had no
idea what the term "Foam-In-Place" meant. But, when a major customer, BorgWarner, called
and wanted us to take two machines over from a sister division
and it included the molding of several million parts, I
promptly hopped on an airplane and went to see it.
My first
impression was not good. The “good” machine was probably
10 years old and had seen better days. Basically, the
machine laid a bead of foam in the groove of a plastic part
using a six axis robot. The second machine was older and
was only good for two axis foam beads.
On the plane ride home, my mind was
racing. It seemed like the project needed a good dose
of TLC and our folks back at the plant are always after
a challenge. This certainly would be a challenge. I was
pleasantly surprised when the staff said to “bring it on,
we’ll make it work”.
The
machines arrived in April-2005. And now, seven months later,
BorgWarner is ecstatic with the quality of the parts; all
without missing a delivery. Furthermore, the machine has taken
on a new look and is running at a higher capacity than
previously thought possible, allowing us to mothball the
second machine.
Looking back, the acquisition of the
machine is typical of a growing trend we are seeing in the
industry. Our customers want to do what they do
best and want smaller, technical companies like IWP to take on
the specialty items. We are happy to
oblige!! |
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OUTDOOR TRADITION CONTINUES
by Scott Stephens,
Vice President Administration
Of
all the holidays on the calendar, we in the Northwoods look
forward to one in particular: Hunting Season. When
asked why we live in this cold and snowy locale, the answer
lies with these two special weeks each year.
So
valued is hunting season that schools close for part of
it. This year, 45 people from our Ironwood facility went
deer hunting. Fortunately we straddle the border of two
states and the seasons are staggered, so operations can
continue uninterrupted. Out at "Camp," generations of
family and friends are reunited and there is much camaraderie:
Old stories are retold over great food and drink as the
tradition is passed on. Truth be told, some people just
enjoy camp life and hardly venture out with a gun.
Others are up at 4 AM and at their post an hour before
sunrise.
Every year, several dandy bucks are harvested.
Joe Manzanares, our Manager of Technical Services, shot a
200 pound, ten-pointer with his bow. Joe is pictured
with his nephew, Cole. Jim Clement, Quality
Technician, took down a 366 pound bear with his bow. Jim
has been with Ironwood Plastics just over a year and leads our
Laser Scanning efforts. |
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