140+ year old foundry still learning new tricks with LEAN

Several years ago, The C.A. Lawton Co. made a complete commitment to LEAN. LEAN methodology emphasizes simplifying and accelerating work processes while simultaneously improving product quality. Today, we’re a LEAN-centered company, not just doing some LEAN manufacturing techniques, we’re all in. “Historically, we always made good castings and served customers relatively well. But as a…

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Happy 4th

As we celebrate the 4th of July and our 244th birthday as a country, it is important to remember those who made sacrifices for us. Especially during these hard and difficult times, we are thankful for the people who selflessly put others first.  At The C.A. Lawton Co., we are very proud to live and…

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Continuous Improvement double take: the shakeout in shakeout

Continuous Improvement is, by definition, a never-ending process.  At The C.A. Lawton Co., as with all CI organizations, the mindset of this philosophy becomes part of the culture.  Every team member is trained and prepared to participate in improvement events.  The week of May 18-22, 2020, the Lawton team embarked on a very ambitious kaizen…

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Lawton & World War II

Lawton has been very versatile and sensitive to the changes happening in the world around them.  They are doing it currently as they have in the past, such as designing and manufacturing products for World War II. When the United States entered World War II in 1941, Lawton, like most other companies at this time,…

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The Culture of Lawton

I know it’s going to be a good day when I walk into Lawton and there are various bags of cheese curds on the front desk.  Such a small and simple gesture can change the atmosphere of the workplace.  Every employee has this similar attitude which creates a family oriented environment.  Lawton exemplifies this family…

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Life during COVID-19

Lawton has instituted new safety precautions and changes to minimize social contact amid the coronavirus pandemic.  Social distance is being practiced by the employees who have to be in the building.  Everyone who enters is required to wear respirators and masks.  During meetings of on-site personnel, respirators and social distancing are practiced. Visitors need appointments…

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The First Four Months of my Lawton Internship

I have never had the role as an intern before, so I had no idea what to expect going into this marketing position.  Although I had taken various classes at St. Norbert College, the real marketing world was intimidating. To start my experience, I had an awesome mentor, Andy Mastalir, who is head of the…

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Making buying easier

At The C.A. Lawton Co., we are proud of our reputation; a reputation for quality, on-time iron casting solutions alongside high-touch customer service. How does Lawton make the difficult task of procuring castings easier for buyers? We accomplish this through integrated offerings, dedicated customer advocates, a culture of flexibility and urgency, and a focus on quality and on-time…

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Lawton’s power of perseverance

Through all the past struggles Lawton has faced, it is important to look back on everything they have overcome.  From the Great Depression or even the Recession of 2008, Lawton continues to persevere through hard times. In 1886, Jones Bank ran into financial difficulty, and as a result, closed its doors. This caused a great…

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Back to our Roots

Lawton has come a long way since their journey started in 1879.  It is almost so long ago that one could forget how Lawton came to be the industry leading company it is today.  In 1879, Civil War Veteran Charles Lawton and his uncle E.W. Arndt made their place among De Pere, Wisconsin’s profitable manufacturing…

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Lawton and Temperform sales meeting is a success

On February 12, 2020, key members of Lawton and Temperform teams met at the C.A. Lawton Co. to get better acquainted and plan how to serve their customers best. The day started with introductions and orientations, including a safety discussion. Then the group discussed each location’s capabilities and how they complement each other. They also…

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