Posts by C.A. Lawton
The next best thing to being there
Ever since little red school houses dotted the country, field trips have been an awesome way to make learning memorable. But today’s rich multimedia technology has given the old-fashioned field trip a major upgrade: It’s now possible to virtually tour a facility to learn about it. A case in point: Students from the Ashwaubenon School…
Read MoreHow continuous improvement streamlines contract reviews at Lawton
Continuous improvement affects every part of our operations at The C.A. Lawton Co. – not just manufacturing, but front office processes, too. An excellent example is the contract review process that helps our company achieve remarkable results for our customers. The contract review is an interdepartmental review of each order to ensure all details are…
Read MoreKaizen inspires a world of change at Lawton
Kaizen is a Japanese expression meaning “change for better” or continuous improvement – whatever you are doing, you can do it better. Here at The C.A. Lawton Co., we strive for continuous improvement every day. Through kaizen, it is achieved. The first part of the word, kai, means “to break apart,” and zen means “to…
Read MoreEmployees’ view of Lawton’s culture is not the least bit “clouded”
As part of a recent employee survey, Lori Goemans decided to try something new. She got more than she expected – in a remarkable way. Goemans, who is the human resources manager at The C.A. Lawton Co., was looking for a new way to ask employees how they would describe the company’s culture. So she…
Read MoreHow to optimize the cost of your castings
Cost Drivers for Casting from an Engineering and Design Perspective Let’s say you were in need of a vehicle and had a family of 5, were living on a single income, and had a budget of $20,000. Would you start by going to the local Chevrolet dealership and start pricing a new Corvette ZR1? On…
Read MoreWhy Do “Boomerang” Customers Return to Lawton?
When a customer has moved on to another source for the products you once provided, how do you bring them back? Identifying the reasons why a customer has changed suppliers is critical. The C.A. Lawton Co. has been working hard to answer these questions and develop strategies to win these customers back. Recent returns of…
Read MoreHow to make sure your castings measure up
One of the basic principles used in reviewing a casting design is Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T). This is a system for defining and communicating engineering tolerances through the use a symbolic language on engineering drawings. It explicitly describes the part geometry and its allowable variations. Using GD&T is one of the best ways for…
Read MoreWe’re hiring: Join us at the Manufacturing First job fair on October 24th
At The C.A. Lawton Co., we’re hiring remarkable people. If you’re committed to growing your skills and making a difference in your work, we’d love to talk to you at the Manufacturing First Expo & Conference on October 24 in booth #546 at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay, WI. We’ve been creating remarkable…
Read MoreLawton’s healthy attitude toward wellness
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, wellness is defined as “the quality or state of being in good health, especially as an actively sought goal.” The C.A. Lawton Co. encourages employees to strive to reach their individual wellness goals, no matter what they are. This includes mental, financial and overall well-being, not just physical health. For…
Read MoreRemarkable people get remarkable training at Lawton
Not surprisingly, training is a foundational element of the progressive culture at The C.A. Lawton Co. In this interview, Continuous Improvement LEAN Coach Randy Thyrion explains the company’s enlightened approach to it. What is a standard work initiative, and how does it help employees to retain new knowledge and skills? Thyrion: It’s a tool created…
Read MoreHow to optimize the design of pattern tooling
Designing a pattern can be quite a challenge, especially if you don’t have a well-defined process. At The C.A. Lawton Co., the design review process begins when the customer and the foundry’s casting engineer review the required casting shape. It consists of drawings or models of a casting-friendly pattern and one or more core boxes.…
Read MoreTraining for the future
In partnership with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC), The C.A. Lawton Co. was recently awarded a Workforce Advancement Training (WAT) grant. WAT grants provide funds from the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS). They are aimed at developing workers, improving productivity and competitiveness and expanding the partnerships between Wisconsin’s technical colleges and businesses. Grants are awarded…
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