A different side of COVID-19 pandemic

[Lisa Starr]

As some you you may be aware, I'm involved in a small (tiny) machine shop. We closed per the PA order, and were immediately taken to task by several of our customers. With their support, we applied for and obtained permission to re-open to produce their critical component parts. Let me say, it is a challenge. Firstly, we are trying desperately to keep all of our employees safe and healthy. All office personnel are working either staggered shifts or from home, depending on their duties. Shop floor employees are practicing social distancing and are not permitted in the break room, restrooms or other common areas at the same time. Outside delivery personnel may not enter the building. Too this end, everyone is being cooperative and supportive of the goal.

Our customers are placing orders for triple and quadruple the normal quantities and we are running lots of overtime trying to meet their needs. Unfortunately, it is very difficult obtaining raw materials, specialized secondary operations etc, as many of those businesses and/or their suppliers did not obtain waivers to continue operating. Additionally, as other vendors to these customers are closed, we're receiving purchase orders for parts we haven't produced for years. All of this is good . . . but oh the stress.

Just thought maybe others would like to see a different side of COVID-19.

Be Safe.

[Mike Henderson]

"It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good."

Good luck and stay healthy.

Mike

[Ronald Blue]

Sounds like a situation where business is to good. Hope that you can keep the raw materials coming that you need to keep operating. Seems like suppliers not applying for a waiver to continue operating aren't interested in continuing in business. Understandably not every business is essential but it seems evident which ones would be. Each state has set it's own rules which is okay I guess. Nothing has changed for my work. Critical infrastructure so I continue to go do my job as I did in normal times. Most businesses are still open here. Who knew marijuana dispensaries were essential? Hope things continue to work out for you Lisa. Stay safe and most of all healthy.

[Wade Lippman]

Beats the heck out of the alternative(s).

[Bill McNiel]

Who knew marijuana dispensaries were essential?

I'd rather people took CBD vs opiates, it has certainly proven to be a better choice for me.
In my years in the construction industry it was commonly agreed we would rather have workers that got high in their leisure time as opposed to drinkers (hungover workers are dangerous)

[Dave Anderson NH]

I understand Lisa. My wife is working 10-12 hours a day and sometimes 6 days a week right now as the admin and office manager of a plastic machine shop. They are busier than ever being 50% military subcontract and 25% medical. They have people spread out and there is plenty of liquid soap and hand sanitizer around. Every effort is being made to keep everyone safe but I still worry since all it takes is one person being less than diligent in their contacts and personal habits. They too are having raw material and hardware supply problems.

[Rod Sheridan]

Very true Dave, and you don’t have to be careless, simply asymptomatic.

That’s what happened where my daughter works as a nurse, one asymptomatic nurse infected half of the department...Regards, Rod

[Darcy Warner]

I repair equipment, lots of stuff has been dropped off at my door with a note on it. Materials/tooling/supplies are a bit harder to find right now, but stuff is getting done.

[Art Mann]

I am glad to hear that some of the SMC community has work to do. I hope it continues. My prediction is that when this whole thing is over, there will be at least as much suffering caused by the failed economy as there was from the actual disease. The closest thing we have ever seen to what we see now is the great depression starting in 1929. Those who have studied this time period will know what I mean.

[Darcy Warner]

I am glad to hear that some of the SMC community has work to do. I hope it continues. My prediction is that when this whole thing is over, there will be at least as much suffering caused by the failed economy as there was from the actual disease. The closest thing we have ever seen to what we see now is the great depression starting in 1929. Those who have studied this time period will know what I mean.

I believe we will see a manufacturing shift with even more being done in house (this country). Another lesson in being self sufficient and not relying on other countries for all your goods.

It will thin out those who only survived because of prosperous times, some people have no business being in business

[Art Mann]

I hope you are right about bringing manufacturing back home.

[Ronald Blue]

I'd rather people took CBD vs opiates, it has certainly proven to be a better choice for me.
In my years in the construction industry it was commonly agreed we would rather have workers that got high in their leisure time as opposed to drinkers (hungover workers are dangerous)

To be clear this is recreational and not medical. To add to that I don't want a high or drunk co-worker. To many ways in this job to die without having people whose actions can't be trusted. To that end either will get you removed from service if you fail a drug test. One get out of jail free card and the second time you won't have a job any longer.

[Jim Koepke]

Our customers are placing orders for triple and quadruple the normal quantities and we are running lots of overtime trying to meet their needs.

Hopefully the triple and quadruple orders won't turn into a lack of orders when this is over and your customers, "have enough on hand for a while."


Who knew marijuana dispensaries were essential?

If liquor stores are essential, then MJ dispensaries are essential. At least most people whether drinking or smoking will have enough sense to stay home.

jtk

[mike holden]

The trickle down effect of what essential businesses need to stay open reminds me of the "for want of a nail" poem. Like any physics problem, everything is related to everything else. To top it off the whole world is playing 'six degrees of Kevin Bacon" with who was in Wuhan and then who did they come near, and so on.
So, like Red Green said: we're pulling for you, we're all in this together

Mike

[Perry Hilbert Jr]

When the governor of PA said that candy factories are essential, I started looking for Rod Serling. Grocery runs are being made by some 2 and 3 times a day just to get out of the house. Yet when Rode Island stops New Yorkers at the state line and demands to know what essential travel they are on, Governor Cuomo threatens to sue. You can visit Hawaii, if you stay in your hotel room for 14 days before sight seeing.

[Mark Daily]

As some you you may be aware, I'm involved in a small (tiny) machine shop. We closed per the PA order, and were immediately taken to task by several of our customers. With their support, we applied for and obtained permission to re-open to produce their critical component parts. Let me say, it is a challenge. Firstly, we are trying desperately to keep all of our employees safe and healthy. All office personnel are working either staggered shifts or from home, depending on their duties. Shop floor employees are practicing social distancing and are not permitted in the break room, restrooms or other common areas at the same time. Outside delivery personnel may not enter the building. Too this end, everyone is being cooperative and supportive of the goal.

Our customers are placing orders for triple and quadruple the normal quantities and we are running lots of overtime trying to meet their needs. Unfortunately, it is very difficult obtaining raw materials, specialized secondary operations etc, as many of those businesses and/or their suppliers did not obtain waivers to continue operating. Additionally, as other vendors to these customers are closed, we're receiving purchase orders for parts we haven't produced for years. All of this is good . . . but oh the stress.

Just thought maybe others would like to see a different side of COVID-19.

Be Safe.
Lisa, what kinds of things do you make that people are ordering double & triple?

[Jim Koepke]

To top it off the whole world is playing 'six degrees of Kevin Bacon" with who was in Wuhan and then who did they come near, and so on.

That is part of the problem here. Not here as in my current state of residence, Washington. In the Seattle area contact tracking was put into effect. In the rest of the country, not so much.

In China the infection rate is now below the recovery rate.

Here is a bit of good news from China > https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/coronavirus-latest-103-year-old-woman-recovers-wuhan-hubei-china-a9393991.html

Stay home, stay safe & stay back if you must go out.

jtk

[Lisa Starr]

Mark, We run CNC Lathes primarily making parts from higher grade Stainless Steels and exotic metals such as Monel, Inconel, Titanium and others. The products are components of medical, hydraulic, check valve and energy sector products.

As mentioned earlier, this economic down turn will weed out some of our competitors. We've been weathering the storms since 1962 and know what it takes to survive. It will be uncomfortable, but doable.

Some of the work we're seeing right now are parts that were outsourced to India about 10 years ago. Now, in a crisis, the parts are going to be made in the US again, and at much greater cost, as all the casting patterns are in India. We'll be producing the parts from solid bar stock.

Lastly, on the lack of material availability. One of our customers shipped a semi load of material from one of their plants to us halfway across the country. It is all oversize, making the production of their parts take longer. This morning I had a machinist sent up one of our older CNC lathes that can't hold tight tolerances anymore and I spent the day hogging pieces down to rough size. I'm no machinist, but I can load parts and push the "go" button. At least then my real machinists aren't tied up longer making the actual parts.

None of this is complaining. It is just the way the industry is...boom or bust. We'll do whatever it takes to service our customers and later we'll take some time off while they deplete the over buying.

[Mark Daily]

Mark, We run CNC Lathes primarily making parts from higher grade Stainless Steels and exotic metals such as Monel, Inconel, Titanium and others. The products are components of medical, hydraulic, check valve and energy sector products.

As mentioned earlier, this economic down turn will weed out some of our competitors. We've been weathering the storms since 1962 and know what it takes to survive. It will be uncomfortable, but doable.

Some of the work we're seeing right now are parts that were outsourced to India about 10 years ago. Now, in a crisis, the parts are going to be made in the US again, and at much greater cost, as all the casting patterns are in India. We'll be producing the parts from solid bar stock.

Lastly, on the lack of material availability. One of our customers shipped a semi load of material from one of their plants to us halfway across the country. It is all oversize, making the production of their parts take longer. This morning I had a machinist sent up one of our older CNC lathes that can't hold tight tolerances anymore and I spent the day hogging pieces down to rough size. I'm no machinist, but I can load parts and push the "go" button. At least then my real machinists aren't tied up longer making the actual parts.

None of this is complaining. It is just the way the industry is...boom or bust. We'll do whatever it takes to service our customers and later we'll take some time off while they deplete the over buying.
Wow-sounds very cool! Best of luck to you, I hope things get better for you and everybody else quickly.:)