AMERICAN MADE. DETROIT PROUD.

By Juana on April 27, 2011

MILTON MANUFACTURING launches the premier showing of our newly produced video: AMERICAN MADE … DETROIT PROUD!

It is with great pride and pleasure that we share, with the outside world, the exciting expansions taking place at MILTON MANUFACTURING’S Galactic Headquarters located in the heart of Motown.

We have recently expanded our production capacity with the addition of a Mitsubishi NX 5′ x 10′ 6000 Watt CO2 Laser Cutting System outfitted with Auto-Flex Material Handling for “lights out” operation capability.  The new Time Saver improves edge finish off the laser and improves surface preparation for improved paint adhesion.   The addition of several “Easy Packer” machines  for “Foam in Place” capabilities strengthens our kitting and packaging abilities.  Our production floor has expanded to encompass over 200,000 square feet!

With an outstanding MILTON Team and the award of a 2011 Hub Zone Certification… MILTON MANUFACTURING is looking to the future with great expectations!

So… ladies and gentlemen without further ado…click to view… AMERICAN MADE… DETROIT PROUD!!!

Thanks again for reading our MILTON Monday Morning Blog. To learn more about how we can work for you, contact us at (313) 366-2450

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Milton Manufacturing awarded HUBZone certification

By Juana on January 17, 2011

As of January 10, 2011 the US Small Business Administration has certified Milton Manufacturing as a HUBZone concern. This provides Milton Manufacturing with the opportunity to expand its government contracting growth plans and continue its track record of expansion. Milton Manufacturing President & CEO, Mr. Jim Green, states “we hope this (certification) will enable Milton Manufacturing to grow its workforce during the years to come.”

Both the Federal Government and Prime Contractors to the Federal Government have a HUBzone sourcing goal of 3%.  By obtaining this certification Milton manufacturing is helping their customers meet their subcontracting goals and consequently receive more contracts. This certification will also offer Milton Manufacturing opportunities in the federal marketplace.

The Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) Empowerment Contracting program promotes economic development and employment growth in designated urban areas with the goal of revitalizing them into sustainable communities.

While there are numerous qualifying factors in the certification application, the two key eligibility requirements state that the business must be located in a historically underutilized business zone (HUBZone) and at least 35 percent of the company employees must reside in a HUBZone. Milton has met both these requirements.

At Milton Manufacturing we take our role as a corporate citizen very seriously.

Our goal is to expand our manufacturing capabilities, provide the City with an expanded tax base and stay actively involved with various area businesses, organizations, and community groups.

The congratulatory letter that we received from the Office of the HUBZone Program ended with these words of encouragement: “We wish you the best of luck with your HUBZone certified concern – your success will help improve the economic future of the HUBZone in which you operate.”

If you would like to know more about HUBzone certification, Milton Capabilities and what Milton has to offer visit our web site and blog at www.miltonmfg.com or call us 313-366-2450.

Thanks again for being a part of our success.

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MILTON photo album:
A close-up view of the MRAP

By Juana on November 22, 2010

MILTON Manufacturing Group Photo

When was the last time your family gathered together for a family photo? We, at MILTON Manufacturing, had an opportunity to see an MRAP— up close and personal—and we marked the occasion with a MILTON family photo with all the members of our shop floor and administrative staff.

If you’ve been following our blog, you know that MILTON supports our brave men and women in the military by designing and manufacturing storage boxes, radio antenna brackets, DigiracksTM, litter support arms, integrated storage steps, latches, hinges, tie-downs, mirror brackets, tail light boxes, ammo storage trays, light bars, condenser covers and supports, ambulance components, and fenders—all of which are components for a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected military vehicle—better known as the MRAP.

Notice the two vehicles in the photograph. The vehicle at the left is an MRAP, which is currently in use in the Middle East. The vehicle at the right was used in the Vietnam War (1955-1975) and retired in the 1980’s. The MRAP vehicle was developed to provide more protection and survivability against IEDs (Improvised Explosive Device).

It was a great experience for the MILTON staff to see an MRAP vehicle in person. So, we marked the occasion with our “family photo.” Is it about time for you to take more pictures for your family photo album?

Thanks again for reading our MILTON Monday Morning Blog. To learn more about how we can work for you, contact us at (313) 366-2450.

Check out the time lapse video of the photo shoot…

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Drop Hammer Forming in Action

By Juana on July 19, 2010

DROP HAMMER FORMING is just one of the capabilities we offer our customers at MILTON Manufacturing. The process involves a pneumatic drop hammer with a matched male and female die set to form complex part contours and shapes.

At MILTON, when the dies of the drop hammer make contact, the vibration can be felt 100 yards away – it is one powerful machine! Notice how forming the part captured in the video takes multiple machine “hits” to bring the metal to its final shape.

At MILTON Manufacturing, we provide our customers with exceptional turnaround times and improved designs from concept through production. To see more of our capabilities or to learn how we can go to work for you, explore this blog and contact us today at (313) 366-2450.

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MILTON MANUFACTURING earns ITAR certification

By Juana on July 12, 2010

US Department of DefenseMILTON MANUFACTURING is proud to announce its certification as an ITAR supplier.

Never heard of ITAR? That’s understandable. Not many people are familiar with it. Nonetheless, it is an important achievement that we are very proud to have earned.

You may have read in our previous blogs that we have procured government contracts to manufacture parts for our U.S. military. The certification process is rigorous. Yet, simply put, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) is a set of U.S. government regulations to control the export and import of defense-related items and services.

During the certification process, we were required to demonstrate evidence of appropriate compliance competencies in day-to-day operations, employee training, recordkeeping, filing systems, and internal audit procedures, as well as an understanding of disciplinary actions or penalties for violations or other acts of non-compliance.

The goal of the regulations is to protect U.S. national security from the risk of illegal exports and transfers, as well as the unauthorized use of products of U.S. origin. Furthermore, the regulations support the provisions of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and are enforced by the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) of the U.S. Department of State.

We are proud to assure you that the defense-related articles that we manufacture to support our U.S. troops meet ITAR government standards.

We welcome your comments and ideas.  As always, come back each week to read another MILTON Monday Morning Blog!

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Have you been following us?
Milton’s blog recap

By Juana on May 17, 2010

Since the launch of our Milton Monday Morning Blog in the fall of 2009, we have covered a wide range of topics, including our manufacturing processes and equipment, business practices, customer service, community involvement and, of course, the talent and expertise of our employees.

We hope that you are following our blog each week. Just in case you may have missed a particular topic, here’s a quick summary:

MILTON Manufacturing Supports No Phone Zone
A reminder of the new national observance of “No Phone Zone Day,” along with eye-opening facts about the dangers of texting while driving.
MILTON Manufacturing Conforms to Michigan’s New Smoking Ban
The new Dr. Ron Davis Law, known as Michigan’s workplace smoking ban, went into effect May 1, 2010. This blog provides some interesting information about how businesses are affected, as well as how some residents are reacting to the ban.
The MILTON Manufacturing “Motor City” Turret Team—CNC Turret Punch Press
Featuring employees, Rick Goga and C.J. Millender, this blog explains how the turret punch press produces quality parts with significant cost savings.
MILTON Manufacturing … “greening” the way with urban farming
MILTON MANUFACTURING converts nearby vacant properties into bountiful urban food farms and flower gardens to yield support to the neighboring community.
Milton and Focus Hope working together in Detroit
Milton partners with Focus Hope in an educational and working relationship to train and employ city residents.
The Art of the Drop Hammer
Featuring employees, Jerry and Sam, who operate Milton’s large drop hammer machines for specialized, low volume production jobs for various industries, such as aerospace, defense, automotive, and more.
New Semi-Annual Newsletter
We are making plans to launch a new semi-annual newsletter.
You are a valued customer – and we are listening!
Look for an upcoming customer survey.
MILTON Manufacturing introduces Ron Taranto as Engineering Director
View a summary of our new engineering director’s work background.
Terrific Trio: 2 Men and a Robot
Featuring employees, Kenny J. and Akbar M, who program the robot to handle high-volume MIG (metal inert gas) welding jobs.
Customers, we want to hear from you!
In our continuous efforts to provide you with excellent products and quality service, we want to hear from you – our customers.
MILTON Manufacturing’s Master Mechanic Chuck Scott develops a new “Super Special” Murray Tensioner
Master mechanic, Chuck Scott, improves upon the already durable, powerful, dependable, and economical Murray tensioner.
Milton partners with Detroit Public Schools –
Milton welcomes LaQuita Wilcher.
MILTON Manufacturing provides facts on the 2010 Census
Read answers to key questions regarding the 2010 Census.

Lighting the American Way with MILTON Laser Capabilities

MILTON Manufacturing impacts the American way of life with its innovative laser capabilities.

Mother Earth: A MILTON environmental priority
Employee cell phone recycling program.
Milton’s Hero: The Inspirational Story of Steve B.
Read Steve’s story of helping a woman who had been attacked and abandoned in the trunk of her car.
The Why of the Milton Blog
We’re excited to tell the story of MILTON, because ours is a rich history—rooted in the Motor City and conceived as a family venture with a proud lineage that survives today.
The Milton Capabilities Video is now Live!
See video featuring Milton employees and equipment, including 3-D and 6-axis laser cutting, CNC milling, drop hammer forming, insert clinching, laser cutting, lathe turning, MIG and TIG welding, press brake forming, progressive die stamping, robotic welding, stretch forming, and turret punching.

Thanks again for following the blog. We welcome your ideas and topics for future postings. As always, come back each week to read another MILTON Monday Morning Blog!

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The Art of the Drop Hammer

By Juana on March 29, 2010

MILTON-DROP-HAMMER

One of two drop hammer forming machines at MILTON Manufacturing in Detroit, Michigan - specialized for low volume production jobs for various industries, such as aerospace, defense, automotive, and more.

Just as an artist takes a hard, lifeless stone and transforms it into a beautiful, breathtaking life-like sculpture, Jerry and Sam are highly-skilled drop hammer conductors whose talent and artistry are displayed in every part they produce at MILTON MANUFACTURING.

A large machine with a very heavy anvil, the strong iron body of the drop hammer looms high and wide on the manufacturing floor. In fact, the lower portion of this tall, imposing machine is installed deep below the surface of the Earth and rooted much like a tree.

Jerry and Sam operate the machine and set up the anvil to drop repeatedly on raw metal until it is transformed and reshaped into a desired part or product. When the drop hammer is in operation, the powerful effects from the pounding of the heavy anvil can be felt some 500 feet away.

MILTON has two drop hammers. Both weigh tons and are approximately 22 feet high, with a foundation of 6 feet under ground. One is 12 feet in length by 4.5 feet in width; the other, 9 feet long by 4.5 feet wide. At MILTON, the drop hammers are used for specialized, low volume production jobs for various industries, such as aerospace, defense, automotive, and more.

Jerry and Sam share 10 years of drop hammer experience combined at the MILTON facility here in Detroit. Jerry was a former plant manager of a now defunct stamping company.  Todd, formally a Jr. Mechanic, serves as an apprentice in Drop Hammer Forming. This talented group work together harmoniously and ensures the making of precise, MILTON made in the City of Detroit, quality parts for our customers.

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Terrific Trio: 2 Men and a Robot

By Juana on February 8, 2010

GensisRobotTransSys-caption-255x175MILTON MANUFACTURING aims to be the best in its industry, and our ability to achieve that goal rests largely on the suggestions and talents of our employees — as well as the capabilities of a robot!

Dynamic Duo: Kenny and Akbar

Akbar M. joined MILTON 12 years ago as a Detroit Public Schools (DPS) student in the Golightly vocational program. He became a full-time MILTON employee after graduating from Kettering High School. He also studied Business Administration at Wayne State University. Akbar is trained in Unigraphics, a computer-aided design software application.

Kenny J. joined the company 33 years ago under the founder, Mr. Milton. For the past 19 years, Kenny travels more than 150 miles a day to and from his job and home each day. Kenny works as a Welder Leader. When MILTON was faced with the demand for a high-volume repetitive welding job, we listened to Kenny’s suggestion to acquire a robotics system, which we purchased in 2008.

With more than 45 years of combined seniority at MILTON, Kenny and Akbar traveled in 2009 to Davenport, Iowa, where they attended a hands-on robotics training class presented by The Genesis Systems Group, the largest builder of robotic arc welding systems in North America. According to Genesis, a properly-trained operator can improve productivity, decrease downtime, reduce manufacturing cost, and enhance safety. After completing the strenuous weeklong training, Kenny and Akbar returned to MILTON as the “dynamic duo” — or perhaps we should include the robot, which would make them the “terrific trio”!

Kenny was pleased to know that his suggestion will make a lasting impact on the welding operations at MILTON MANUFACTURING. “I think that MILTON is a superior place to work,” Kenny noted.

MILTON’S Genesis Robot Transformation System CM3x

Our robot model is part of the Genesis Transformation Systems CM3x. The robot (which we named “Uncle MILTIE”) provides redeployable automation that can be programmed and configured to meet a customer’s project needs. The system is flexible; requires short lead time for faster delivery; and has the capacity to accommodate large platform specifications.

The robot is programmed and controlled from a computer to handle high-volume MIG (metal inert gas) welding jobs. After the programming is set and tested, the robotic welding is repeatable all day long – at the same pace, intensity, and consistency – and can be produced in a 24-hour turnaround time frame. By removing the chances for human error, this process brings about reliable, quality results every time.

MILTON’S primary use of the robot is on aluminum brackets used in the parts manufactured for the MRAP (mine resistant ambush protected) military vehicles.

If you require a medium/high-volume job with MIG welding capabilities, MILTON MANUFACTURING has the expertise and capability to get the job done!

Please come back next week for the release of another MILTON Monday Morning Blog!

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