Our regional bus trip took us to the Macomb area today to check out two very different manufacturing facilities.
Our first stop was Vaughan Manufacturing facility, which has been designing and manufacturing hammers for over 135 years. Mike Havens gave us a short history of Vaughan, describing how they went from a small maker of hand tools to the world's largest manufacturer of striking tools.
It was exciting to see the huge forging machines in action, with the loud striking noise and sparks flying. We toured the plants watching the forging, grinding and polishing process. We also went to the fiberglass building to see that process demonstrated.
After a wonderful lunch in Macomb at the Red Ox, we headed for Pella Windows. Headquartered in Pella, Iowa and founded in 1925, Pella has plants in 13 U.S. cities, including Macomb, Illinois. The Macomb plant manufactures Pella’s wood windows and patio doors and is the most recent addition to Pella’s wood manufacturing sites.
After a big welcome to the facility, we sat down with one of the sales managers for a background and overview of the company. We then split into smaller groups to tour the shop floor and see the process from beginning to end.
It was such an interesting day to have the chance to visit these two outstanding, but very different facilities.
For more information, please visit www.vaughanmfg.com and www.pella.com.
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