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Seattle, WA, June 22, 2012 –(PR.com)– MFGpartners.net and its machine shop network is getting the attention of the Washington business community today as it continues it drive nationwide to assist US-based manufacturers in generating more business. Wednesday morning the company announced a number of sheet metal fabricators joining the rapidly growing network as well as other craftsman specializing in precision CNC machined parts, custom-made components and metal machining services at http://mfgpartners.net/metal-machining.

According to AMSN spokesman Dean Espinosa, the state of Washington has been the network’s primary focus recently as it reaches out to businesses in Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Spokane, Federal Way, Tacoma, Bellingham, Vancouver, Yakima, Everett, and other cities in the Evergreen State. Espinosa said the American Machine Shops Network members are capable of meeting the needs of Washington companies in all industries and sectors requiring precision machining, fabrication design, press work, large 5-axis machining, mold making, large metrology, and CNC machined parts at http://mfgpartners.net/precision-cnc-machined-parts.

“Manufacturers, engineers, power plants, aerospace, military, telecommunications, medical, agricultural, wind hydroelectric, electronics electrical, precision tooling, construction equipment, RD, general manufacturing and other industries have all been served by AMSN approved vendors within the state of Washington as well as across the nation,” said Espinsoa. He explained, “The Evergreen State is a marketplace of high technology with enormous potential to increase production and industrial output, which is why MFGpartners.net decided to bring its ‘Buy American’ movement to the region.” Additional information on machined and fabricated metal parts provided by the company is available at http://mfgpartners.net/fabricated-metal-parts.

About MFGpartners / AMSN

MFGpartners.net (http://www.MFGpartners.net) is owned and operated by American Machine Shops Network (AMSN). The company specializes in promoting US-based manufacturers of machined parts, fabricated components, precision products and molds. AMSN is the largest network of custom manufacturers in the USA designed to help companies, engineers and others find the most suitable vendors specializing in CNC machining, fabrication, molding, prototyping and other contract manufacturing services.

Washington companies in need of precision CNC machined parts, fabricated components or metal machining services can submit an RFQ to U.S. machine shops http://www.MFGpartners.net/rfq.html.

This news release was distributed by IndustrialPR.net

Article source: http://www.pr.com/press-release/421928

WESTBURY, N.Y. (WorkersCompensation.com) – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Simtek Inc. for alleged repeat and serious violations of workplace safety standards as well as failing to correct eight hazardous conditions cited during a 2011 OSHA inspection that was prompted by a worker injury. The Amityville metal fabrication shop faces a total of $138,765 in proposed fines based on the latest inspection for new, recurring and uncorrected hazards.

“This employer was required to correct all hazards cited during our last inspection and had ample opportunity to do so, yet almost half of the violations were never corrected while others were allowed to recur,” said Anthony Ciuffo, director of OSHA’s Long Island Area Office, which is located in Westbury. “The sizable fines proposed here reflect both the severity of these hazards – which expose workers to potential amputation and crushing injuries, and electrocution – as well as this employer’s unacceptable failure to effectively correct them.”

OSHA originally cited Simtek in June 2011 for 20 violations of workplace safety standards, including missing or incomplete energy control procedures and various electrical hazards. The proposed penalties from that inspection total $60,600.

The agency initiated a follow-up inspection in January of this year to verify whether the cited hazards had been abated. Inspectors found that Simtek still had not developed and put into use energy control procedures to lock out machines’ power sources to prevent them from starting up during maintenance, nor had the company provided training and tools to workers who perform the maintenance. It also had failed to correct several electrical hazards such as misused electrical equipment, unused electrical openings, uncovered electrical cabinets and electrical cords that were spliced and lacked strain relief.

These uncorrected hazards have resulted in notices issued for failing to abate eight violations. The notices carry $109,725 in fines. A failure-to-abate violation is one committed when an employer fails to fix or address previously cited hazardous conditions, practices or noncompliant equipment.

Additionally, citations with $26,400 in fines have been issued for four repeat violations involving hazards similar to those cited during the previous inspection. These include a locked exit door, misused electrical equipment and unprotected power cords. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years.

Finally, a citation with a $2,640 fine has been issued for one serious violation involving circuit breakers blocked by a gas tank and a welding machine. A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

“An effective illness and injury prevention program in which workers and managers work together to identify and eliminate hazardous conditions can prevent injuries from occurring in the first place,” said Robert Kulick, OSHA’s regional administrator in New York.

Due to the failure-to-abate and repeat violations as well as the nature of the hazards, OSHA has placed Simtek in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which mandates targeted follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with the law. The program focuses on recalcitrant employers that endanger workers by committing certain willful, repeat or failure-to-abate violations. For more information on the program, visit http://s.dol.gov/J3.

The current citations can be viewed at http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/SimtekFTA315204974.pdf* and http://www.osha.gov/ooc/citations/Simtek315996355.pdf*.

Simtek has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA’s area director or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Article source: http://www.workerscompensation.com/compnewsnetwork/news/14675-osha-cites-long-island-ny-machine-shop-for-failing-to-correct-previously-cited-hazards.html

by John Callegari
Published: July 5, 2012
Tags: Amityville, injury, Long Island, OSHA, Ronkonkoma, Simtek, U.S. Department of Labor

One year after hitting Amityville-based Simtek with 20 workplace safety violations totaling more than $60,000 in fines, the U.S. Department of Labor said the Amityville metal fabrication shop failed to correct several unsafe conditions and now faces nearly $139,000 in new penalties as a result.

In June 2011, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted an investigation of Simtek, prompted by an incident that occurred at Simtek in which an employee lost five fingers when his hand became caught in an operating roller machine. The owner of Simtek said at the time the accident was the first the 40-plus-year-old company had ever experienced.

OSHA uncovered 20 workplace safety violations at the time, proposing $60,600 in penalties for Simtek.

The agency conducted a follow-up inspection in January and found that 12 of the violations were not remedied, including a locked exit door, unprotected power cords, uncovered electrical cabinets and cords and the failure to implement measures to prevent machines from starting during maintenance. In total, the new proposed fines amount to $138,765.

“This employer was required to correct all hazards cited during our last inspection and had ample opportunity to do so, yet almost half of the violations were never corrected while others were allowed to recur,” said Anthony Ciuffo, director of OSHA’s Westbury-based Long Island-area office. “The sizable fines proposed here reflect both the severity of these hazards – which expose workers to potential amputation and crushing injuries, and electrocution – as well as this employer’s unacceptable failure to effectively correct them.”

Due to the failure-to-abate and repeat violations as well as the nature of the hazards, OSHA has placed Simtek in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which mandates targeted follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with the law.

Calls to Simtek went unanswered Thursday.

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Article source: http://libn.com/2012/07/05/simtek-facing-139k-in-fines-from-osha/

Houston, TX, June 17, 2012 –(PR.com)– Manufacturing companies in Texas are taking notice of a grassroots movement established by Donald LaBelle, founder of the American Machine Shops Network (AMSN) to promote U.S. made machined products and components at http://mfgpartners.net/precision-cnc-machining-services. The movement, according to MFGpartners.net is spreading rapidly throughout Texas as companies all over the state show their support for AMSN and its members of CNC machining, metal fabrication, casting, plastic mold making and other contract manufacturing facilities.

According to AMSN spokeswoman Kimberly Evans, the company is attracting businesses in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, El Paso, Plano, Fort Worth, Garland, Corpus Christi, Arlington and businesses in other cities throughout the proud Lone Star state in need of made-to-order parts, machines, components and precision metal machining services at http://mfgpartners.net/precision-metal-machining-services. According to Ms. Evans, the American Machine Shops Network has grown from a few dozen vendors to over 2,100 approved job shops and contract manufacturers nationwide with 36 of them being from state of Texas.

“Texas is one of the states where the Buy American movement created by Don LaBelle has really begun to take shape and spread throughout the country within the manufacturing community from state-to-state, business-to-business, and person-to-person,” said Evans. She concluded, “MFGpartners.net is proud of its accomplishment growing into the largest network online focusing on the U.S. manufacturing community and one of the most popular resources today for finding, comparing and developing trading partnerships with quality-focused manufacturers of custom precision machined parts.” Additional information is available on the AMSN website at http://mfgpartners.net/custom-precision-machined-parts

About MFGpartners / AMSN

MFGpartners.net (http://www.MFGpartners.net) is owned and operated by American Machine Shops Network (AMSN). The company specializes in promoting US-based manufacturers of machined parts, fabricated components, precision products and molds. AMSN is the largest network of custom manufacturers in the USA designed to help companies, engineers and others find the most suitable vendors specializing in CNC machining, fabrication, molding, prototyping and other contract manufacturing services.

This news release was distributed by IndustrialPR.net

Article source: http://www.pr.com/press-release/420857

The Last Frontier is not known for its metal fabrication, plastic molding or CNC precision, but the American Machine Shops Network wants to change that by bringing its manufacturers of custom machined parts to the state at http://mfgpartners.net/custom-machined-parts. The company announced plans Tuesday to help businesses all over Alaska find a suitable jobbing shop that can meet the needs of all industries across the state, from fishing and marine, to outdoor sports, construction, exploration, oil gas, drilling as well as other markets.

The American Machine Shops Networks said it has been making a modest but noticeable progress attracting business to Alaska by ensuring companies the ability to have made-to-order products produced by local machining and fabrication shops serving beautiful Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks and other cities throughout the “Land of the Midnight Son.” According to AMSN, the vendors are capable of producing plastic molded items, machined components made from all types of materials as well as customized thin metal parts for various applications at http://mfgpartners.net/thin-metal-parts.

“AMSN is pleased to be the first and only machine shop trade association and network bringing business opportunities to Alaska by utilizing its large database of engineers, fabricators, craftsman, machinists, small and mid-sized job shops, foundries, plastic molders and steel fabricators at http://mfgpartners.net/steel-fabricators,” said John Sterling, spokesperson for MFGpartners.net. He concluded, “Many businesses nationwide still believe in American quality, and the founding principles of the United States, which is the very essence AMSN was built upon, and the reason for its continued growth.”

Alaska companies looking for custom machined parts, thin metal parts or steel fabricators can submit an RFQ to U.S. machine shops at http://www.MFGpartners.net/rfq.html.

About MFGpartners / AMSN

MFGpartners.net (http://www.MFGpartners.net) is owned and operated by American Machine Shops Network (AMSN). The company specializes in promoting US-based manufacturers of machined parts, fabricated components, precision products and molds. AMSN is the largest network of custom manufacturers in the USA designed to help companies, engineers and others find the most suitable vendors specializing in CNC machining, fabrication, molding, prototyping and other contract manufacturing services.

This news release was distributed by IndustrialPR.net

Article source: http://www.melodika.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=322299&Itemid=55

View Industrial Laser Solutions articles by topic, A-Z

Article source: http://www.industrial-lasers.com/articles/2012/06/pa-job-shop-smucker-adds-trumpf-laser-cutter.html

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Steven Lane/The Columbian

Fabricators work on hand rails.

Steven Lane/The Columbian

Shawn Mickelson welds hand rails.

Business name: Hi-Tech Metal Fabrication, Inc.

Owners: Timo and Cristy Toristoja.

Address: 2301 S.E. Hidden Way, No. 100.

What the business does: Hi-Tech Metal Fabrication Inc. is a full-service structural steel fabrication and erection shop. The shop fabricates miscellaneous structural steel packages including on-site erection of the finished product, said Cristy Toristoja. It offers on-site structural revisions and tenant improvements for buildings and structures. Hi-Tech also provides occasional marine vessel repair.

Steps to build the business as the economy recovers: The company has adapted by diversifying and moving toward other types of structural packages, Cristy Toristoja said. It has worked on several mixed-use projects and is seeing an upturn in that kind of work. Hi-Tech is also pursuing more industrial construction.

DO YOU HAVE A SUGGESTION?

• Each week, The Columbian offers a brief snapshot of an interesting Clark County business. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.

Greatest challenge: Toristoja said it is difficult to find qualified, long-term employees. She also said she struggles to get quality affordable health care for her employees.

What is your favorite part of the job: Because of the multiple types of projects Hi-Tech does, Toristoja said she is constantly learning something new every day. She said it is an honor to have grown so much from the small shop the couple started in Battle Ground 12 years ago. She enjoys watching the projects from bid process to the finished product.

How did she get in the business: She and her husband, Timo, who has a marine industry background, wanted a business of their own. After acquiring equipment from someone who was retiring, they rented his shop in Battle Ground and opened the doors. While running the business has been challenging, she is pleased that they have managed to grow.

What’s ahead: The Toristojas look forward to continuing their place in the community while steadily obtaining new projects. They want to help stimulate growth and continue to provide employment.

Year established in Clark County: July 2001.

Employees: 25.

Telephone: 360-750-1200.

Fax: 360-750-1203.

Website: http://www.htmfi.com.

Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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Article source: http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/jun/24/hi-tech-metal-fabrication-inc/

Seattle, WA, June 22, 2012 –(PR.com)– MFGpartners.net and its machine shop network is getting the attention of the Washington business community today as it continues it drive nationwide to assist US-based manufacturers in generating more business. Wednesday morning the company announced a number of sheet metal fabricators joining the rapidly growing network as well as other craftsman specializing in precision CNC machined parts, custom-made components and metal machining services at http://mfgpartners.net/metal-machining.

According to AMSN spokesman Dean Espinosa, the state of Washington has been the network’s primary focus recently as it reaches out to businesses in Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Spokane, Federal Way, Tacoma, Bellingham, Vancouver, Yakima, Everett, and other cities in the Evergreen State. Espinosa said the American Machine Shops Network members are capable of meeting the needs of Washington companies in all industries and sectors requiring precision machining, fabrication design, press work, large 5-axis machining, mold making, large metrology, and CNC machined parts at http://mfgpartners.net/precision-cnc-machined-parts.

“Manufacturers, engineers, power plants, aerospace, military, telecommunications, medical, agricultural, wind hydroelectric, electronics electrical, precision tooling, construction equipment, RD, general manufacturing and other industries have all been served by AMSN approved vendors within the state of Washington as well as across the nation,” said Espinsoa. He explained, “The Evergreen State is a marketplace of high technology with enormous potential to increase production and industrial output, which is why MFGpartners.net decided to bring its ‘Buy American’ movement to the region.” Additional information on machined and fabricated metal parts provided by the company is available at http://mfgpartners.net/fabricated-metal-parts.

About MFGpartners / AMSN

MFGpartners.net (http://www.MFGpartners.net) is owned and operated by American Machine Shops Network (AMSN). The company specializes in promoting US-based manufacturers of machined parts, fabricated components, precision products and molds. AMSN is the largest network of custom manufacturers in the USA designed to help companies, engineers and others find the most suitable vendors specializing in CNC machining, fabrication, molding, prototyping and other contract manufacturing services.

Washington companies in need of precision CNC machined parts, fabricated components or metal machining services can submit an RFQ to U.S. machine shops http://www.MFGpartners.net/rfq.html.

This news release was distributed by IndustrialPR.net

Article source: http://www.pr.com/press-release/421928

Richland — Parsons Technology Development and Fabrication Complex in Pasco plans to lay off 103 workers starting Aug. 19, it notified the state of Washington today.

The layoffs will continue through Sept. 28.

“The entire facility will be closed,” said Mark Breer, Parsons vice president, in a letter to the Hanford Atomic Metal Trades Council (HAMTC).

“This action is expected to be permanent,” the letter said.

In 2004 the Hanford fabrication shop was transferred from Hanford to the Parsons shop at the Port of Pasco’s Big Pasco complex.

Then Parsons Hanford Fabricators was given a contract worth at least $9 million to do cutting, welding and assembling of metals for Hanford pumps, small tanks and sampling systems.

At the time at least 45 Hanford workers were transferred off Hanford to the shop.

The shop also has supported Department of Defense work to eliminate chemical weapons stockpiles, designing, testing and fabricating process components for pilot plants for destroying military chemical weapons in Colorado and Kentucky.

Among the employees who will be laid off are 13 HAMTC workers.

Those workers will be allowed to take the jobs of other HAMTC workers at Hanford with less experience in a “bump and roll.”

Article source: http://www.thenewstribune.com/2012/06/20/2188538/parsons-to-close-pasco-shop-lay.html

Houston, TX, June 17, 2012 –(PR.com)– Manufacturing companies in Texas are taking notice of a grassroots movement established by Donald LaBelle, founder of the American Machine Shops Network (AMSN) to promote U.S. made machined products and components at http://mfgpartners.net/precision-cnc-machining-services. The movement, according to MFGpartners.net is spreading rapidly throughout Texas as companies all over the state show their support for AMSN and its members of CNC machining, metal fabrication, casting, plastic mold making and other contract manufacturing facilities.

According to AMSN spokeswoman Kimberly Evans, the company is attracting businesses in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, El Paso, Plano, Fort Worth, Garland, Corpus Christi, Arlington and businesses in other cities throughout the proud Lone Star state in need of made-to-order parts, machines, components and precision metal machining services at http://mfgpartners.net/precision-metal-machining-services. According to Ms. Evans, the American Machine Shops Network has grown from a few dozen vendors to over 2,100 approved job shops and contract manufacturers nationwide with 36 of them being from state of Texas.

“Texas is one of the states where the Buy American movement created by Don LaBelle has really begun to take shape and spread throughout the country within the manufacturing community from state-to-state, business-to-business, and person-to-person,” said Evans. She concluded, “MFGpartners.net is proud of its accomplishment growing into the largest network online focusing on the U.S. manufacturing community and one of the most popular resources today for finding, comparing and developing trading partnerships with quality-focused manufacturers of custom precision machined parts.” Additional information is available on the AMSN website at http://mfgpartners.net/custom-precision-machined-parts

About MFGpartners / AMSN

MFGpartners.net (http://www.MFGpartners.net) is owned and operated by American Machine Shops Network (AMSN). The company specializes in promoting US-based manufacturers of machined parts, fabricated components, precision products and molds. AMSN is the largest network of custom manufacturers in the USA designed to help companies, engineers and others find the most suitable vendors specializing in CNC machining, fabrication, molding, prototyping and other contract manufacturing services.

This news release was distributed by IndustrialPR.net

Article source: http://www.pr.com/press-release/420857