Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

It Was A Bad Week Last Week When I Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Employees Because Of Lake Of Work. After 30 Years Of Machining It's Getting Pretty Tuff To Keep The Doors Open.if Anyone Can Help I Have A Sizable Screw Machine Shop. With Multi Spindle Acme And Brown & Sharp Screw Machines. 20,000 Square Feet Of Them. We Can Do Long Or Short Runs. I Would Like A Chance To Quote Some More Outside Jobs. We Can't Work For The Price Of Rice Like A Lot Of People In China Can. Just Pm Me And Ill Get In Touch.
Thanks Ron Bender 216-390-1330

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

Damn Ron....hope things get better for ya. :(

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

I hope that some day soon we start to want quality again. I will pay a lot more for things if I know that they are quality over cheap. I am proud that my foundation in Maine was built like it was going to have a sky scraper put on it. I like nice things and get so PISSED when things break. I wish that the rest of the people would come in line and we would see some changes.

My buddy has a machine shop and he had to down size as well. It is just him now with a lathe and a bridgeport. He is one tallented SOB but the work is not easy to come by.

Jon

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

I can vouch for Ronnies work.....it's top of the line. The guy knows his sh*t... He's quoted a couple of jobs for me and he is very competitive....

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

This is happening everywhere and especially in the automotive market, it is probably one of the biggest reasons for Dephi's problems. China is really starting to take a big bite out of the component market.

Between so much computer and customer service jobs going to India and the manufacturing stuff going to China I think we are going to be in for some hard times.

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

I just found a use for all those subs the US has :)
sink all the cargo ships headed from China/Tawain. Can't sell what you can't get to market :D

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

I can call around to see if anyones looking but need some information
What diameters do you run? Lot size or productions runs that you would prefer? What quality system do you have in place QS or ISO?
Certain materials you alot of (low carbon, stainless, alum.)

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

Sorry to hear this Ron...
I fowarded your post to a friend that owns Durite Machine, he does the same stuff you do, he might have some for you.
His name is Ed Nowak
Hang in there.

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

Boy, if all industries are not somehow affected by our latest manufacturing and electronics trends. We are on a one way road here...what gives. I also believe we are in for some tough times. We are in southwest Michigan and industry is just closing up or moving away. I try to shrug it off, but every night when you turn on the TV...Wow. My .02

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

that sux Ron, do you have a salesperson out beating the pavement?

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

Taz, I feel your pain....My lumber manufacturing company just lost a several million dollar contract to China...the product was going into one of the big box stores...they don't care where they get their products from as long as it's cheaper...pretty soon it won't matter how much they lower the price to the consumers...there aren't going to be any jobs to pay for products

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

Don't worry, in an article published today, congress is going to place tariffs on all China imports. Who benefits? Our government! All the tariff goes right into their general fund.


The U.S. trade deficit with China reached $162 billion last year, an all-time high with any country.

The U.S. Congress has reacted to the trade gap with calls for more forceful action. One measure with widespread support would impose 27.5 percent tariffs on all Chinese imports unless Beijing allows its currency to rise further in value against the dollar.

Sen. Charles Schumer (news, bio, voting record), D-N.Y., said if China does not begin letting the yuan rise in value, the bill's co-sponsors will demand a vote before Congress adjourns next month.

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

Ill pass this on to our purchasing peoples. We outsource most of the screwmachine work locally. Bettcher Industries.

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

I feel your pain Ron,My transmission business is dead right now too. I usually gross 10-15$ k a month,the last 2 months I been doing 2-3$k a month. My suppliers are calling wondering if I'm mad at them and took My business somewhere else.Our area is pretty dependent on GM and Delphi,now with their bankruptcy looming NO ONE is spending any money. Ive been selling off some spare boat parts and stuff I no longer need to help my cash flow.This economy is here to stay for a while too so we all have to tighten up and support our local businesses,Smitty

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

NO I DO NOT HAVE SALESMEN ON THE ROAD. MY ONLY PRODUCT IS MY OWN. WE MANUFACTURE AFTER MARKET OEM REPLACEMENT PARTS TO FIT HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTORCYCLES. I AM THE LARGEST MANUFACTURER IN THE MARKET. WITH OVER 700 PART NUMBERS. WE NOW HAVE TO START QUOTING OUTSIDE WORK. WE HAVE A MACHINE LIST OF

7- 1 1/4 ACME 6 SPINDLE AUTOMATIC SCREW MACHINES
2- 2 5/8 ACME 6 SPINDLE AUTOMATIC SCREW MACHINES
1- 3/4 ACME 8 SPINDLE AUTOMATIC SCREW MACHINE
7- 1 5/8 BROWN & SHARP ULTRAMATIC RAM SLIDE SINGLE SPINDLES
1- 3/4 " " " " " " "
10- 1 1/4 2G BROWN & SHARP AUTOMATIC SCREW MACHINE
8 3/4 OG " " " " "
2 CINNCI CENTER LESS GRINDERS
1 BLANCHARD GRINDER
2 26" NORTON HYPROLAP'S
7 MILLING MACHINES
2 SUNNEN HONES
2 HARDINGE SECONDARY LATHES
1 18 x36 BETWEEN CENTER GRINDER
1 NORTON ID GRINDER
2 SNOW TAPPERS
1 15 KVA INDUCTION MACHINE

WITH THIS LIST YOU CAN SEE WE ARE ABLE TO PRODUCE ABOUT ANYTHING IN SCREW MACHINE PRODUCTS. WE ARE NOT ISO CERTIFED
BUT HAVE A COMPLETE INSPECTION ROOM. WITH ALL MICS, PLUG GAUGES, THREAD GAUGES, OPTICAL COMPARATOR, JOE BLOCKS, ROCKWELL TESTER, ECT.

BENDER CYCLE & MACHINE CORP.
1476 E. 359th STREET
EASTLAKE, OHIO 44095

PHONE 440-946-0681 FAX 440-946-5248 CELL 216-390-1330

WE WILL QUOTE LONG OR SHORT RUNS AT THIS TIME WE CAN'T BE PICKY IN THESE TIMES!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANKS RON BENDER

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

Not to hijack - but - formula31's account won't accept PMs.
Formula31 - Bettcher Industries - the company manufacturing Whizzard Knives and AirSheerz?

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

Yup, thats me. Do all the field research and development.

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

Same thing is happening in the Information Technology business. Everything is being outsourced to India and now China is getting into the game and I heard was going to eventually (very soon) will be undercutting India. If this trend continues, our middle class will disapear. Things are getting pretty bad folks.

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

My wife's company has a fab in China, their costs are increasing now. there is more work than workers (almost any ways) and it takes more and more for companies to compete for labor. just wait til they unionize :eek:

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

Wildthing,

Your machinery list sounds like so many other auction listings I get every week. No CNC equip? I'm in OH tonight travelling from IL at 3:30 am Mon to provide tech support in Dayton. I heard about the Delphi situation constantly Mon am. Given your equip. listing, can you honestly say that you have remained competitive in the marketplace? I'd love to have a newer boat, but instead elect to "stay hungry" with a lesser boat. Our competion (China) do not have our "distractions" and will continue to make inroads as long as we permit.

Regards,

Mark S.

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

Also, I've been seeing alot of good quality out of China. Hate to admit it, but it's true. Those people don't work to live, they live to work. Our unions and demands for medical insurance, special considerations for workers with kids, etc. are our downfall. My company has no fewer than 5 starting hours: 5am,6 am, 7:30 am, 8:30 am 10 am, for all those who need special consideration for their kids. It's really disruptive when, Mon. am (5-10am) everyone must spin their yarn regarding sports, soccer, gymnastics, cheerleading, etc. USA will never be a leader again until we get back to basics.

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

China has slave labor,no enviromental laws,no trillion
doller social programs. Translation...low cost goods.
They are the new Japan. Remember when the cheap
$hit all came from Japan?? Then the Japanese people
wanted to live like humans. Now they are like us. 30
years from know China will be traveling the same road.
Problem is our government needs to negotiate fairer
trade pacts,but as usual they dont do whats good for
our people,just themselves. I still think there are alot
opertunities in the U.S. You have to stay on the cutting
edge though.

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

epeek,

You are absolutely correct! At least powerboating has very few Chinese components!

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

NO I NEVER GOT INTO CNC'S IM TO OLD TO PAY THE PRICE AND THE COST OF LEARNING ISN'T CHEAP. PRODUCEING A PRODUCT LINE AS I DO WE HAVE DONE PRETTY GOOD OVER THE YEARS. BUT THE ECONOMY IS NOW KILLING US. I TURNED FIFTY ON THE 3rd AND THANK GOD IM NOT 25. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT MY KIDS ARE GOING TO DO. BUT WE CAN RUN FOR A LITTLE LESS BECAUSE WE ARE STILL PRODUCING OUR PRODUCT LINE. WHICH DOES MAKE A FEW DOLLARS MORE THAN THE AVERAGE JOB SHOP. IV BEEN DOING THIS WORK SINCE I WAS 12 WORKING FOR MY FATHER. WITH SOME OUTSIDE WORK RUNNING FOR A LITTLE LESS & PRODUCT LINE FOR A LITTLE MORE IT SHOULD AVERAGE OUT. RB

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

Thanks for the update I'll see if there something out there. As far as not being "CNC", depending on the product the multi spindle screw machine can produce a part alot faster and a better price than a CNC lathe just need a certain product niche

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

We all need to stop blaming everyone else for our economic problems, they are our own fualt. WE buy the overseas product, WE shop at wallmart who is one fo the driving forces of our economic dowfall, WE don't support American buissneses. We all need to stop crying and fix the problem ourselves, I don't want our government to fix it for us, I don't want to depend on them for anything, it's not their job if you ask me it's ours. We have all the power in the world to fix these problems yet we can't go out of our way to do it. I primarlily buy American products, ther are some things like dirt bikes, electronics, guns and so on that are better made in other countries and I am willing to buy them. I would never coonsider buying a tool or part that was not made in America unless there is no alternantive and then I may just make it myself if I can. I have not shopped at Wallmart in over 3 years and refuse to step foot on their property. I don't deal with companys that out source their tech support or anything elese if I can help it. This takes alot of time and research on my part prior to making a purchase but I think it what we all need to start doing if this is going to get better any time soon.

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

Hang in there buddy,

Been there and done it but we bounced back .
America has had it better than the UK , and our manufacturing in the last two years has declined by 20% , but the tide is turning. China has problems , and deliveries are late and the quality poor. I know I have worked there.
A supplier of ours imported 2,000,000 brass washers , only problem was that they had no hole in the middle. We all make mistakes ( we Do) but not on this scale. The list goes on.

we have a shop of CNC machines 8 to be exact. They are great but i can tell you that thay cannot do what an auto can do. We have now bought manual capstans because they are versatile.And in a down turn in the market you can react fatser for small batches and people will pay a premium for this. Talk to your customers or new ones find out thier problems and create a service package to help them you will be surprised.

Try adding value with finishes etc. Why not adapt your fasteners for the marine industry and sell handy multi packs for boating uses at sensible prices. All you need to do is put an advert on this site. Just ideas but you never know

If you get a common theme from your customers ,send out flyers to any and everyone you will be suprised what comes from it. The KPM group of companies supply to the marine and high quality sports car market . Because of the lack of skills in machinists we have bought people out of retirement to train younger apprentices.

Dont worry about the ISO 9000 , your customers dont when they buy from china.The system does not stop rubbish being made , it only tells you when the rubbish was made.???

I know what you are feeling but stay strong and keep your eyes open an opportunity will come along. KPM always ensure that its products are sourced from the US or UK. If we have this policy I am sure that others will as well in the USA

KPM are trying to increase its US content in its products you may be able to help us. Please email me and we can see if we can help
jules morgan
CEO KPM

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

Hate to say it but this is not the case, you will be surprised. Many parts that you think are made in the usa are not. If a company subcontracts a part then that subcontractor will find the most profitable method of making it and then pass it on to a chinese or indian subcontractor. We see this all the time when parts dont fit
jules

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

I am in agreement with hillbilly. Ive felt this way for a long time. I wont buy a foriegn car, If it isnt american like i am i dont want it. This same stuff is going on in the trucking industrie. The younger generations dont understand what it means to be american or be a patriot. Brian

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

The most american car made with american made parts is a chrysler with 28% being made in the usa. Our goverment over the years has sold us out little by little. I don't blame the ceo of the companys that out source. I blame the goverment for not penalizing them when the product is shipped back in. The ceos job is to make the share holders money not rebuild america. If I'm the ceo of a company and my bean counters tell me that I can double my profit by out sourcing to another country and I don't do it, than I should be fired! It is up to our goverment to step in and say , not so fast. When you ship your product back in to the usa, you will pay DEARLY.

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

I have to agree with Hillbilly, we must buy from the United States companies to keep this from happening.

Also I am going to say this, the US companies need to get their act together. We just purchased a G35 Coupe for my better half and the service that we have gotten after the sale has been stellar. The Corvette which was very close in price just did not have the service(before the sale), or quality.

Come on American Companies get your act together. I currently drive a Suburban, but if the quality does not improve I will be going foreign next time, and I am a small business owner.

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

As a business owner I will buy American made products first, but you can get some interesting choices. Do you buy a Caterpillar forklift built in Korea or a Nissan built in Kentucky?

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

To buy American just because we THINK it is built in the US or it is a US held company is ludicrous. Why should I accept mediocrity? If a BMW is the best car for me then I am going to buy a BMW. Why should I buy a Ford, GMC, or Dodge, pay the same money or slightly less and be treated like crap at the dealer if I have a service issue, then when you take it up with Ford, GMC, or Dodge then you get the same old story, "Sorry each dealer is independently owned and operated and we have no control over them" When I had a issue with my Saab it was a TOTALLY different experience. They gave me a Saab to drive around in (when my f350 crew cab dually is in for service they did not want to give me anything but then finally gave me a compact car). When my Saab goes in for service it is out that day or the next for the most part but I really do not care as I am driving an equivalent car. When my Truck goes in at the dealer I can be assured not to see it for at least 7 days. :mad: :mad: They do not deserve my business so they do not get it plain and simple. I will NEVER accept mediocrity from people it makes me so mad when people do not put out their best effort.

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

WE as Americans have set a very high standard for business
and its employees in this country. We have very strict
employment laws,enviromental laws,extremly high taxes
and are expected to give our employees retirement and
tons of benefits. These are all good things and has raised
our standard of living well above anyone else in the world.
It also,in a large determines the price of our goods.
Call it what you want,but I think that any country that
doesnt have to live by the same standards as we expect
for ourselves,shouldnt be able to sell their product in
our country. Some call it protectionism. I call it a
level playing field.
By the same token,alot of countrys do live up to these
standards, and I see no problem buying their products.
AS for what hillbilly said,buy only American,I say
just try and find American product. ITS IMPOSSIBLE.
90% of what you think is American, AINT.
Also you have to be realistic of what people can afford.
Example, I own an auto repair shop. Every mechanic I have
would love to have nothing but Snap-On tools, But at $75.00
for a 3/8 drive ratchet or $275 for a set of wrenches that
get lost every other day,they simply cannot afford it!!

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

I agree 100%. I am not gonna buy an american car because it is American, I would buy it because it is the best car for me, reason being that what I do isn't going to change anything. I would like to think that the American people could change the economy by themselves, but its just not going to happen. Go to the projects by me and see if they care if they are buying from Walmart because the sh*t there is Chinese...some of them don't even know where China is. Some of you guys are talking like everyone in America is a good ol' boy, a patriot that would be willing to jump up and buy American made products. Half of my state is Puerto Rican becuase we have the highest Welfare in the country, that being said...do you think they would buy American made products to help the American economy??...please. I wish we could change it, but its just not that easy. I hate talking about stuff like this but just had to comment. Sorry.

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

Bingo...we have a Corvette also. If that is the flagship car of GM/Chevy, then it's just a matter of time before that stupid corporation goes out of business :mad: The service at the dealership is sub-par at best.

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

Well I work in marketing for a major semiconductor company, needless to say which has many people enthusiastic about the economic climate for China.

But I have a personal feeling, just an opinion, that China
is an economic "time bomb" that is going to blow up. It
may make life tough for us when it happens, but I don't think
it will really hurt us, and in the end we'll do better as stuff
comes back over here.

Do your research and see what I mean. They are pouring money into, and building up a such a tremendous rate, a still communist country where over 80% of the population will be impoverished for a long time to come. China is a big bubble
that it going to burst. In my humble opinion. Doesn't help for now, but I had to say something.

Pesky Varmint

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

Let's see, our plants in Mexico provide on site health care, food and transportation. I believe we do the same thing at our design centers in India.

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

I agree with you Audio, when I am looking at luxury cars they are never American, but when I buy work trucks, ussually, F550's and 650's I wouldn't look at anything that wasn't American. I aint driving A HINO that looks like an elephants aZZ and rattles down the road, al be it for 1.2 million miles. They run like krap from day one but they run that way forever for some reason. I own several German made Firearms and Lots of Asain electronics, what my point was is that there are some products that Americans make better and when we are buying those items we should do our research and spend a little more money to buy American. I would never buy a tool that was not made in America, I have on several occasions payed as much as 10 times as much for soemthing that was made here versus one made over seas, but you know what when the seals let loose in my 1000 dollar air jack's I can rebuild them instead of throwing them away and they only need seal about every 2 years where the asiain krap goen in the trach 2 twice a year.

And BB725, next time you need a forklift you can buy it from me, they are made in American and by an American owned Family company that has been around and kickin since 1948, Wiggins Lift.

Taz I will talk to our engineering and purchasing departments and see what we have that is going out for bid soon, we use alot of specialty fasteners and hydrualic fittings whcih from what I have read about your shop seems right up your alley. You can give me a call if you want (805) 732 8375 and tell me exactly what kind of things you are best setup for.

Re: Had To Lay Off 1/2 Of My Crew Last Week
 

Hillbilly Ill Give You A Call Tomorrow Afternoon. Thanks Ron