How to reduce the cost of your casting

A lack of casting knowledge is at the root of nearly every cost driver for large castings. To complicate matters, even if you have general knowledge or experience in casting, every foundry uses different processes. What works to reduce cost in one operation can drive the cost up in another. Even if you have general…

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EXPERT’S OPINION: Fill the Bench and Balance the Pyramid

The C.A. Lawton Co. periodically publishes input from professionals both within the foundry industry and outside the casting world. These Expert Opinions may be casting related, Continuous Improvement (CI / LEAN), Operational Excellence (Op-Ex), or just working through the challenges of today’s business environment. The goal is to present you with differing viewpoints of how…

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One-to-one meetings help employees succeed

At The C.A. Lawton Co., weekly one-to-one meetings with all employees have become a key element in cultivating remarkable people. Human resources manager Lori Goemans explains how they work, what makes them unique, and their power as a recruiting and retention tool in this interview. *This interview has been updated from its original publishing in…

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Lawton locations grow together

The C.A. Lawton Co. is dedicated to integrating the newly acquired Minster, OH foundry.  Employees from both locations have been working meticulously to create a cohesive and seamless process from start to finish. A LEAN Team LEAN Consultant, Cathlin Stuntz, goes into depth about the new projects happening in Minster. “The focus was to integrate…

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Lawton to be featured at Employee Retention Summit for Manufacturers

The C.A. Lawton Co. has been invited to share their success stories of retaining employees in a manufacturing environment November 9-11, 2020 during an exciting virtual event. Dana Syndergaard will present: LEANing into Engagement Andrew Mastalir will present: LEANing into Employee Retention About the Summit The Employee Retention Summit for Manufacturers is for you. In…

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How ISO 9001:2015 standards benefit our customers

In 2017, The C.A. Lawton Co. transitioned from ISO 9001:2008 to ISO 9001:2015. We achieved compliance on February 5, 2018. Earlier in 2020, we announced the achievement of Green Tier 2 and ISO 14001 designations. But we wanted to touch base on the ISO 9001:2015 quality standard so you understand what it is and why…

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From new hire to well-equipped foundry employee in two weeks

Lawton is proud of the training program they have continuously improved to ensure new hires have all the skills and resources needed to be successful in the workplace. In just two weeks, new employees will be fully equipped to perform their new job on the floor of the foundry or in the machine shop.  Our…

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In the midst of challenges, we face exceptional opportunities

During the last year, our industry has faced a whirlwind of challenges and opportunities. But rather than being buffeted by them, we have decided to face them head-on. Here’s what we’re up against, and how we’re proactively responding. For example, the last several years have shown us that the global supply chain is more fragile…

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New hires at Lawton

What happens after you are hired by Lawton and officially become part of our family? There are various steps to make sure new hires are welcomed and integrated with the company.  To start, all employees attend the Day One, Hour One meeting with President Barry Adamski and their assigned supervisor.  In this meeting, new hires…

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Technology and manufacturing

The C.A. Lawton Co. periodically publishes input from professionals both within the foundry industry as well as parties from outside the casting world. These Expert Opinions may be casting related, Continuous Improvement (CI / LEAN), Operational Excellence (Op Ex), or just working through the challenges of today’s business environment. The goal is to present you…

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With our foundries combined… Integrating Midwest Manufacturing & Logistics with The C.A. Lawton Co.

We interviewed Tim Horner, Operations Manager at The C.A. Lawton Co.’s new Minster, Ohio location in August 2020. In July, the private equity firm, Oakland Standard Company, expanded their iron foundries, by acquiring Midwest Manufacturing & Logistics. This foundry now operates under Oakland Standard’s specialty metals platform as a second location of The C.A. Lawton…

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