MILTON Manufacturing’s Master Mechanic
Chuck Scott develops a new “Super Special” Murray Tensioner

By Juana on January 25, 2010

Chuck Scott MILTON ManufacturingMILTON Manufacturing‘s 33-year master mechanic, Chuck Scott, is improving upon the already durable, powerful, dependable, and economical Murray tensioner. Help us name Chuck’s new design.

What is a Murray tensioner?
Murray tensioners have been in the marketplace for 40+ years. There are more than 40 varieties of Murray tensioners. The function of the Murray tensioner is to improve drive performance by eliminating whipping and slipping of loose drive chains and belts. The tensioner can be adjusted manually or automatically.

Why choose the MILTON Murray Tensioner?

Manufactured in the Motor City (made in the USA) by MILTON Manufacturing for the past seven years, our Murray tensioners are sold to distributors and builders of industrial machinery throughout the United States. adjscrewThe catalog MILTON Murray tensioners have shafts ranging from 1/2 to 2-1/2 inches in diameter.  The small tensioners can weigh as little as one pound, while the larger tensioners may weigh up to 50 lbs.  MILTON can also produce custom-built Murray tensioners according to customer specifications

The simple straightforward design of the MILTON Murray tensioner allows the product to be used in a variety of applications to stop chains from stretching. The MILTON version extends the life of chain-driven equipment while reducing vibration, noise and maintenance.

Our competitors use cast iron in their tensioners. While cast iron is strong, it can be brittle.  However, the structural steel in the MILTON version puts our product in a class of its own. You never have to worry about the MILTON Murray tensioner breaking!

MILTON’s effective lean manufacturing practices.

In the past, an 8,000 sq. ft. facility was used to house and manufacture the complete line of Murray tensioners. Through lean manufacturing practices, MILTON dedicates less than 500 sq. ft. of manufacturing space to the line; and can fabricate and ship the same day.  Submit a purchase order before noon and the Murray part can be shipped the same day!

The MILTON Murray Adjusto-Screw Tensioner.

For safety reasons, many drive systems are enclosed.  With conventional tensioners, the MILTON Manufacturing - Murray Tensionerenclosure must be removed for drive adjustment. Yet, the MILTON Murray Adjusto-Screw, which is “slack-side” mounted, uses a screw to provide precise and easily-adjustable tension. The screw adjustment enables the user to set the precise tension necessary to provide maximum life for the sprocket and chain or belt. Adjusto-screw tensioners are useful on vertical drives, preventing lower sprocket disengagement. This patented tensioner is available in a wide range of capacities capable of handling up to RC 240 roller chain.

Now that you’ve learned something about Murray tensioners, let’s get back to our master mechanic, Chuck Scott.

Chuck Scott develops a “super special” tensioner.

As mentioned earlier, Chuck has developed a new and improved version of the Murray tensioner. It is an automatic adjustment type and will weigh six to seven pounds. Furthermore, it can be mounted in twice as many ways as other versions! This newly-designed and much-improved tensioner is expected to be ready for market in about 30 days.

Can you give the new tensioner an official name?

Chuck has yet to name his new design. Share your suggestions for the new name in the Comment section below. Read the results in a future MILTON Monday Morning Blog.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MILTON MURRAY TENSIONERS

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MILTON partners with Detroit Public Schools

By Juana on January 18, 2010

detroit-public-schools-logoMILTON Welcomes LaQuita Wilcher

For more than 60 years, MILTON Manufacturing has focused its attention on providing quality products and services to our customers. We are also proud to serve as a corporate co-op sponsor with the Detroit Public Schools and provide its young people with mentoring from our highly-skilled and talented employees—many of whom have more than 15 years of experience.

We welcomed LaQuita Wilcher, a Detroit Public Schools co-op student, at MILTON in the fall of 2009. This is her story in her own words:

My name is LaQuita Wilcher, and I’m currently a Co-Op student/employee here at MILTON Manufacturing, Inc.  My journey here at MILTON began on Thursday, October 15, 2009. As someone who has always dreamed of having my own office, handling the phones, and satisfying the customer’s needs, I’ve enjoyed every moment.

The first things I learned were the job’s basic requirements, which I picked up swiftly. On October 19, 2009—having spent only four short days as a MILTON employee and not quite having a firm handle on the job—I was scheduled to work alone which, as frightening as it was, taught me to be independent in my approach to problem-solving and to draw from my internal strengths.

I helped those who needed it, and no one was even aware that I was experiencing any uncertainty. In fact, I boldly proclaimed to my manager, “It felt as though I’d been working here all of my days.”

My goal was to find employment in a place where I felt accepted. MILTON is just that place! The staff is very friendly and genuinely helpful at all times, and the environment is peaceful, joyful, and most of all—cheerful! I am not only grateful—but feel blessed to be part of the MILTON family.

It feels wonderful to be part of the MILTON team; and while my journey has only begun, I pledge to put forth my best efforts when completing tasks and taking care of MILTON’S customers. I welcome the responsibility of ensuring that our customers, vendors, clients and guests are made to feel comfortable and welcome.

That being said, I’m really looking forward to completing this journey with both grace and success!

LaQuita, we wish you much success at MILTON and throughout your professional journey.

To all of you, remember to come back every week to the MILTON Monday Morning Blog.

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MILTON’S Hero…
The Inspirational Story of Steve B.

By Juana on November 29, 2009

Super SteveMILTON’S Hero… the Inspirational Story of Steve B., MILTON’s Manufacturing Manager

BREAKING NEWS…. The making of a MILTON hero…in his own words! Allow us to interrupt the regularly scheduled MILTON Monday Morning Blog to present the story of our own Steve B. The very capable manufacturing manager here at MILTON by day…and the super hero who assisted with the recent police story of: The Madison Heights Woman Who Escaped from the Trunk of Her Abandoned Car in Detroit. The story, which broke November 10, 2009, as a WDIV Channel 4 Evening News story and November 11, 2009, in the Detroit Free Press, and most recently as a Macomb Daily News item, is yet another heart-wrenching story with the Motor City as its backdrop!

Learn first about the man who helped the young woman by thinking of her as one of his own four daughters and how he would hope, that if one of them were in dire need such as this young woman, someone pure of heart would reach out and help! Just as he did, by first inviting the young woman, found walking across the Canadian National Railroad tracks, a safe haven inside of MILTON and then listening to her harrowing story of being choked to the point of unconsciousness and left for dead then abducted and placed in the truck of her own 1998 Chevrolet Lumina and driven to the vicinity of I-75 & Seven Mile Road. The young woman regained consciousness and kicked out the back seat of the car to escape and walk to nearby MILTON Manufacturing, Inc…whereby, due to the choking and injuries that she sustained,  according to the Detroit Free Press, she “look(ed) like something out of a horror show.”

According to Steve, his personal story began when…

In 1949, Mrs. Bago had a “darling little boy” that weighed 7 lbs. and 8 oz. and measured 20 inches long. He only had a little hair, but it eventually grew in to be light brown. He was the apple of his Daddy’s eye.

Steve goes on to say, “We were living on Seyburn Street in the lovely city of Detroit. My baptism took place at St. Anthony’s Church near Grand Boulevard and Gratiot Avenue.  When I was two-years-old, we moved to a small 3-bedroom bungalow on Annott Avenue near Hoover and Eight Mile Road. It was a lovely little house in a neighborhood full of World War II veterans. These homes were affordable for the veterans. Growing up on Detroit’s East Side was great. There wasn’t a lot of money, but we didn’t know that we were broke. Our home was full of love, and that made us rich. Mom somehow managed to have a tasty and filling dinner on the table every night. Every Thursday night was special because Dad got paid and brought home a half gallon of ice cream. We all waited in anticipation while the ice cream softened up so Mom could scoop it out without bending the spoon.”

Continuing his story, Steve explains how the “darling little boy” grew into a successful strong and disciplined man who served his country in the Vietnam War and returned to garner an impressive background.

His past experiences include, but are not limited to, serving as a production manufacturing manager for several successful multi-national corporations. Having been a team member of four high-volume, high sales Tier-One automotive suppliers throughout his illustrious manufacturing career, he garnered the experience he demonstrates and utilizes daily at MILTON. Steve has managed more than 1,500 employees and over 3,000 different part numbers throughout his career.

Here at MILTON, he is responsible for our 65 employees and ensures that the properly trained personnel are placed in an environment and position to succeed. From design to shear, laser, press brake, welding, machining, stamping, tumbling, and assembly, he and his team of skilled employees ship a quality part, on time and efficiently to our many diversified customers.

Finally, Steve added, “I was glad to be able to help that young woman in her time of need.”

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