In the demanding and ever-changing manufacturing industry, MFI is constantly remaining proactive to provide world-class services to our customers. Our new Tsune TK5M-90GL CNC Automatic Circular Saw allows us to do just that! This fully automated saw, from a renowned company, utilizes CNC control of all cutting parameters to produce nearly dry, repetitively close tolerance parts to maximize production. This will help cut the time and cost of producing parts, while continuing the excellent quality that we pride ourselves in.
MFI Awarded Technology Grant
Metal Forming Industries (MFI) has been awarded an $85,000 grant by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) in partnership with Conexus Indiana. Only 44 Indiana businesses were awarded funds to help them invest in advanced manufacturing. The awarded funds must be matched at least 1:1, and must be used for technology-based capital investments. MFI is investing in a new custom built 200-ton hydraulic forming press that will be used to make copper components for the utility industry with an extremely high level of positional accuracy, decreased cycle times, and more. MFI is honored to be one of the few companies awarded a grant for the purpose of advancing Indiana’s manufacturing industry. MFI specializes in Cold Forming and Impact Extrusion for a diverse range of industries and applications. Cold Formed Parts save companies money by having little to no waste, and requiring minimal additional machining. Contact us today to see how we can reduce your manufacturing costs!
MFI Works With Ivy Tech Students to Improve Manufacturing
Metal Forming Industries (MFI) often works with Indiana schools and universities to both increase the awareness of manufacturing and machining jobs, and advance manufacturing technology, while helping students increase their hands-on knowledge. In a current project, students from Ivy Tech Community College’s Manufacturing Engineering Technology department worked on a system and process for separating metal shavings from machined parts. Currently, parts must be manually inspected and cleaned, so being able to automate this process would be very beneficial. Students visited MFI, studied the problem, and created a design for a new device. Students in the following semester will now build and test this innovative new system. MFI enjoys working with students, and we are excited to see the results of this project.
MFI Adds New 200-Ton Forming Press
Beckwood Press Company, a leading manufacturer of custom hydraulic and servo-electric presses, automation systems, and the Triform line of precision forming equipment, was recently awarded a contract by Metal Forming Industries to manufacture a 200-ton hydraulic forming press. Scheduled for delivery later this year, the press will be used to make copper components used in the utility industry.
Metal Forming Industries invested in a new electric resistance welding unit to assemble a wide range of parts and components for our customers. This is a unique type of resistance welder designed specifically to join copper and bronze components together. Resistance welding is an important operation at MFI and is used for diverse list of parts, customers, and industries.
MFI Receives Rebates, Support From Local Electric Co-op to Lower Energy Costs
Metal Forming Industries received more than $6,000 in Power Moves® rebates from Parke County REMC, its electric cooperative, for upgrading to LED lighting in its Russellville, Ind., facility. The company also received a free commercial energy audit from Parke County REMC. The audit, in partnership with Purdue University, included a review of the facility and analysis of the structure’s energy use to create an action list for the company to reduce long-term energy use and save money.
MFI Invests in Holophane’s Phuzion™ Highbay LED Lighting
MFI Invests in Holophane’s Phuzion™ Highbay LED Lighting as part of its on-going commitment to the environment. MFI partnered with Parke County REMC located in Rockville, Indiana, and KirbyRisk Electrical Supply located in Crawfordsville, Indiana, to select the Holophane Phuzion™ Generic Highbay Luminaire for its Russellville, Indiana factory. Mr. Jeremy Montgomery of Parke Count REMC and Ms. Kathy Kelly of KibyRisk were instrumental in working with Diane Fordice, MFI Plant Manager, to secure a significant rebate from Parke County REMC’s PowerMoves program to help finance the lighting project. The result for MFI is a well-lit workplace that consumes less energy.
MFI Invests in New Haas ST-20 CNC Lathe
MFI invests in a new Haas ST-20 CNC Lathe to increase its 3-shift production capacity. MFI partnered with Haas Factory Outlet, A Division of HFO Chicago, LLC and Machinery Finance Resources to select the latest CNC lathe and then finance the project. Mr. Coby Smith from Haas worked closely with MFI’s Chief Engineer, Mark Easterling to assure the ST-20 was the correct machine for our needs. Once MFI selected the Haas lathe, Mr. Kevin Schaefer from Machinery Finance Resources worked closely with Haas to assure a smooth delivery of the machine. The addition of this fourth Haas CNC lathe will increase MFI’s turning production capacity by 33%.
Metal Forming Industries Continues Tradition and Provides Thanksgiving Turkey to Its Associates
MFI continued the tradition of providing Thanksgiving Turkeys to the entire team. We are very thankful for the exceptional manufacturing group we have in Russellville, Indiana. Additional turkeys were donated to families in need around Putnam County, where MFI is located. MFI is proud to be a part of this Indiana community. Happy Holidays.
North Putnam High School Advanced Manufacturing Students visit MFI
Metal Forming Industries welcomed Jim Hess, a teacher at North Putnam High School, and his Advanced Manufacturing Students to our first event as a Conexus A+ Partner. Mr. Hess and his students visited our facility to observe today's modern manufacturing environment outside of the classroom. The Conexus A+ Partner Program is designed to team companies with 'Dream It. Do It.' Champion high schools in order to educate students, faculty, parents and communities about the value of a career in manufacturing. The second part of the site visit included a presentation discussing educational paths beyond the traditional university experience, including the explanation of many career options within the manufacturing segment, such as engineering, accounting, sales, management, etc. The final portion of the event included a question and answer session where students had access to Metal Forming Industries' President & CEO, Plant Manager, Customer Service Manager, and the Sales & Marketing Manager. MFI is committed to helping redevelop the manufacturing sector in the United States, through continuing education, advanced technology, and continuous improvement. If you have questions about this program, please contact Diane Fordice at 765-435-3091 or Jim Hess at 765-522-6282, ext. 498.
MFI Receives “Supplier Excellence Award” from Major Customer
During the Open House celebration of the 2nd anniversary of the St. Clair Group acquisition of Metal Forming Industries, one of the company's largest clients honored us with a “Supplier Excellence Award”! Dave Penzera, with Powerex, made a 6-hour drive to our facility in Russellville, Indiana to present this award to Metal Forming Industries in person. This award demonstrates the strength of our long-term relationships with our clients and further emphasizes the importance of sustaining our continuous improvement program. In an address to all the Open House attendees, Penzera noted how pleased he was with our improvements, and explained his level of confidence in MFI as a globally capable supplier. He also noted that he was proud and honored to be able to deliver his message personally. This award is a testament to the hard work, investments and accomplishments achieved over the past 2 years. The St. Clair Group is committed to building a “Globally Competitive and Made in America” manufacturing base in Central Indiana. Pictured in the photo, from left to right, are Dave Penzera, Diane Fordice, Ron St. Clair and Pollard Staley.
MFI Open House Celebrates Continuous Improvement
The 2nd anniversary of the St. Clair Group acquisition of Metal Forming Industries was celebrated with an Open House. Our guests included associates, their families, local business leaders, community members, and current customers from near and far. One customer even drove 6 hours to honor us in person with a “Supplier Excellence Award.” The culmination of two years of successful business systems foundation building has produced the following accomplishments:
ISO 9001:2008 Quality System Certification
Implementation of a Cloud-based Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System
Lean Manufacturing Program focused on Continuous Improvement
The St. Clair Group is committed to building a “Globally Competitive and Made in America” manufacturing base in Central Indiana.
Bethany Wiatt, MFI Intern, is the 2014 Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce Student Athlete of the Year
Metal Forming Industries is proud to announce that Bethany Wiatt, MFI intern and daughter of Cindy Wiatt (MFI Customer Service Manager), has been honored by the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce as the Female Student Athlete of the Year. Bethany is being honored for her academic performance coupled with success in volleyball, basketball, and track over four years. Teachers Credit Union provided a $250.00 scholarship with this award. We congratulate Bethany Wiatt for graduating from high school with this honor, and we wish her the very best of luck as she starts her college career.
MFI Quality Procedures Become ISO 9001:2008 Certified
Diane Fordice, Plant Manager, and her team at Metal Forming Industries in Russellville, Indiana have achieved ISO 9001:2008 certification. ISO 9001:2008 is an international quality standard comprised of principles developed based on a need in the market, global expert opinion, a multi-stakeholder process, and consensus of technical committees*. The eight ISO 9001:2008 guiding principles are:
Metal Forming Industries Saves 1,380 lbs. of Waste
Metal Forming Industries has been recognized by AbsorbTech for one of its achievements in waste reduction. After converting to the SorbIts® waste free absorbent system, MFI has eliminated 1,380 lbs. of waste oil absorbents. This system combines launderable, reusable textiles and a managed service program to enhance our sustainability programs. Please visit our website often to track our progress.
Inaugural Advisa Leadership Academy Cohort
Metal Forming Industries elected Jason Nicolaou, Sales & Marketing Manager, to be part of the first Leadership Academy cohort developed by Heather Haas with Advisa in Carmel, Indiana, USA. This program develops the people skills required to make the leap beyond a manager to a true leader.
Class of 2014 - ADVISA Leadership Academy (Pictured above L to R): Heather Jangraw - ADVISA; Keith Schuetter - ESCO Communications; Cory Edwards - Purity Zinc Metals; Derek Cantrell - Goodman, Campbell Brain & Spine; Stephanie Murphy - ADVISA; Jason Nicolaou - Metal Forming Industries; Fredricka Joyner - ADVISA; Mike Harmon - ESCO Comm.; John Moeller - Goodman Campbell Brain & Spine; (not pictured: Toni Shostak - Versa Products)
New Company Video Highlights Metal Forming Industries' Capabilities
Metal Forming Industries has produced a professional video presentation that features the key capabilities of the company and shows off the recently upgraded facility. In just a few minutes, the viewer can take a virtual tour of the plant, from design, to all the major production operations (cold heading, progressive cold heading, impact extrusion, thread rolling, brazing & sintering, and CNC turning & milling), through quality control and testing.
Metal Forming Industries Supports the Socius Day of Giving 2013 Event
The Wingspan Care Group benefited from this event that utilized multiple social media channels to raise money for this not-for-profit organization that provides mental health care services to children, youth, and their families. Congratulations to Jason Nicolaou, who engaged with us on Facebook and YouTube on the 18th and was randomly drawn to win a Microsoft Surface!
Metal Forming Industries Recognized with 2013 Customer Quality Rating
MFI receives the highest supplier quality rating from Microsemi Corporation for 2013. We look forward to continuing to provide high quality products to all of our customers.
St. Clair Group Opens Its Lebanon, Indiana Office on the Courthouse Square
St. Clair Group, parent company of Metal Forming Industries, opens its corporate and sales headquarters at 101 West Main Street in Lebanon, Indiana. We are excited to become part of the Boone County Community.
MFI Saves Customer 30% on Material Costs
MFI combines cold forming and precision machining that delivered sustained customer material cost savings of 30% over the previous method. This U.S. manufacturer of industrial components reduced purchased costs from a total of $3.00 per part to $2.13 per part by using MFI's unique processes.
Metal Forming Industries Launches New Web Site
Specialty cold forming, precision CNC machining, controlled atmosphere brazing, and electrolytic nickel plating content is being added regularly.
