Sunset Metal Works, Inc.

Saving American Manufacturing

2010-10-20T09:31:00.003-04:00

I recently came across an article in IndustryWeek: First Up: Saving American Manufacturing. The ideas hit a soft spot for me... coming from a small family-owned & operated manufacturing business which has just weathered another recession. The words in the 3rd paragraph are ones I should repeat. Actually, I think I will. We all need to make a concious effort for our businesses, industries and rebuilding America, sweet Land of Liberty.

http://www.industryweek.com/articles/first_up_saving_american_manufacturing_22779.aspx?Page=1

"If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman." I couldn't help reflecting on that quote of Margaret Thatcher recently as I read Michele Nash-Hoff's 2009 book, "Can American Manufacturing Be Saved? Why We Should and How We Can," while considering the backdrop of largely male politicians locked in ideological squabbling rather than rolling up their sleeves and working to solve our deadly serious economic crisis. I can't recall a sorrier time for American politics.

Nash-Hoff, president of ElectroFab Sales, a manufacturers' sales rep firm based in San Diego, has chosen to be an activist. In that vein, she wrote: "The American people have a choice to make. We can either accept the continued destruction of America's industrial base and allow all the gains achieved by America's industrial workers to be wiped out to compete with Third-World labor. Or, we can choose to secure a future for American industry and our industrial workers."

If this statement from the book sounds overly dramatic, consider her vantage point when she was writing it. Nash-Hoff saw 20% of her company's manufacturing database disappear during the six years prior to her starting the book. Nationally, tens of thousands of manufacturing facilities closed during that period and employment fell by 3 million. The picture has only worsened since she published the book.

When I caught up with her recently, Nash-Hoff reiterated her concerns that a weakened manufacturing sector will result in both fundamental economic and national security problems for the United States. She says without a vigorous manufacturing sector, the country risks losing its middle class and becoming a "Third-World nation exporting commodities while materials are turned into finished products in another country. We will become a nation of haves and have-nots."

She says China openly aspires to become the dominant superpower in the world and that it is practicing "predatory mercantilism" as an economic strategy for doing just that. "China is not a democracy. It is a communist country that practices a version of capitalism as part of its plan to become the No. 1 economy in the world," she warns.

Nash-Hoff also ponders what will happen if we lose more of our manufacturing base and "we can't produce the products we need to defend our country." Could a conflict with Chinese interests result in cutting off the U.S. military from Chinese-produced components needed for military equipment?

Asked how the country was faring under the Obama administration, Nash-Hoff says both the health care reform legislation and the impending rescission of the Bush tax cuts would increase costs for manufacturers and add to the uncertainty about the business climate. Regarding the tax cuts, she says, "That is really serious because 99% of all manufacturers are small businesses and many are not incorporated. It is going to affect people's personal incomes, not just corporate taxes. That is a big thing keeping people from hiring."

In her book, Nash-Hoff recounts a steady stream of recommendations from various organizations for promoting U.S. manufacturing. She says the problem has been that these reports come and go, but don't result in policies with traction. Nash-Hoff offers her own immediate and long-term remedies. At the top of her immediate list are tax issues: Cut the capital gains tax to 15%, reduce corporate taxes to 28% or 31%, increase and make permanent the R&D tax credit, and eliminate the estate tax. Right after that, she urges action to address foreign currency manipulation.

What would U.S. manufacturing look like in five years or so if her recommendations were followed? Nash-Hoff says the country could recoup half to two-thirds of the 5.5 million manufacturing jobs lost in the last 10 years. She says this recovery would be fueled in part byinnovators and entrepreneurs who can "regenerate and rejuvenate our American manufacturing."

As Nash-Hoff wrote, we have a choice to make if we are to save manufacturing. The November elections will be a good place to start.

SPRINGing back

2010-04-14T10:23:00.005-04:00

After a long recession and business downturn, Sunset Metal Works is happy to SPRINGing back into action. Many of our customers are experiencing an upswing in business and need parts... that's where we come in. During the down cycle, Sunset was able to focus on process improvements, personnel changes (adding a full-time inspector) and many other changes that will benefit our business as well as our customers.

Covered on the front page of the local newspaper, Public Opinion, Sunset Metal Works is looking forward to a better year in 2010!

http://www.publicopiniononline.com/search/ci_14865902?IADID=Search-www.publicopiniononline.com-www.publicopiniononline.com

Call us at 717.263.1550 or email us from our website (http://www.sunsetmetalworks.com/) for more information or for quotes on your parts fabrication.

Metal Art

2009-09-15T14:06:00.005-04:00

Over the past few weeks, Pete (Welding Engineer) has been designing & creating metal art. We have been selling the items directly and at local wine & craft festivals.

CLICK HERE to view the Metal Art!

EMAIL US for pricing or with your custom projects.

New Logo

2009-09-15T12:44:00.003-04:00

After many months, we were able to find a design that worked for our new corporate image. We wanted to blend the old and the new... the same way our shop runs. We have some old "tried & true" methods but we also integrate new technologies.

Represented in our logo is the anvil and a robotic arm. The anvil is iconic of metal working. Robotics are the future.

Our new logo represents what we do, graphically, and brings a clearer meaning to our business to customers unfamiliar with Sunset Metal Works.

Spirit of Shackleton

2009-08-10T09:14:00.005-04:00

OEM Off Highway is a market-specific national magazine. As a supplier to many OEMs in the industry, Sunset subscribed to the publication and later shared our story with the editors. The July issue features Sunset in the cover story, "In the Spirit of Shackelton".

OEM describes the story: There's an allegory in the story of Ernest Shackelton, whose crew survived for two years in Antartica against all odds. Companies todate can apply his leadership skills - surviving these times requires a good attitude and approach.

Click here to complete article.

Pop-A-Cork for The Capitol

2009-08-10T09:04:00.004-04:00

Join us Downtown Chambersburg on Saturday, August 29 from 12-8PM for the "Pop-A-Cork" wine festival for the Capitol Theatre.

There will be a number of wineries, entertainment indoor & out, and food & craft vendors. Sunset Metal Works will have a booth and be selling metal art. Pete, Taren & Laura Nicklas have been working on various projects, including:

- wine tiki torches

- wine garden lights

- letter artwork

- chandeliers

- much more!

For tickets & information, contact Laura Nicklas.

Hope to see you there! "Ting-Tang!"

ISO Registration

2009-06-11T14:14:00.004-04:00

Sunset Metal Works, Inc. is pleased to announce that our quality management system has been found to satisfy the requirements of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard 9001:2008.

Registration was achieved through QMI-SAI Global, a world leader in assessing business processes and products against internationally recognized standards. QMI-SAI Global emphasizes that ISO 9001:2008 focuses on processes and customer satisfaction as well as procedures.

Sunset Metal Works, Inc. is deeply focused on delivering our Quality Policy Statement: Sunset Metal Works is committed to continuously satisfy our customers' requirements through Detailed Driven Excellence. Every Part. Every Day. Every Customer.

Jim Nicklas, President and Owner, commented, "We are delighted to achieve accreditation, gaining recognition for our commitment to quality and to continuous improvement. This certification demonstrates and affirms Sunset's dedication to providing products that exceed our customer's expectations."

If you have any further questions regarding our quality management system, or our registration, please contact me.

Peter J.Nicklas Welding Engineer & Quality Manager

Chambersburg's Public Opinion

2009-06-01T08:58:00.005-04:00

A press release about the article in Vetrepreneur was sent to the media. Chambersburg's Public Opinion picked up the news... in a big way. Sunset was featured on the front page of the Sunday paper (5/31)! A web cast is also available.

To view the article, click here.

Webcast (see 2:00 minutes)

Sunset Featured in National Magazine

2009-05-29T08:35:00.007-04:00

Marine Veteran uses lessons he learned from a failed business to build a second enterprise into a million-dollar winner.

Sunset Metal Works, Inc. is featured in the June issue of Vetrepreneur Magazine, the official publication of the National Veteran Owned Business Association (NaVOB).

Vetrepreneur features the company president, Jim Nicklas. Nicklas has weathered 2 manufacturing recessions, including the present, and is pressing on to grow his family business and learning from his past. “Position your business to a place where it’s stable and able to thrive and grow in any economy,” Nicklas said. “We have worked hard to deliver to our customers, and tomorrow and the next day will be no different. Growth, even in slow markets, is how we plan to continue to expand our market presence.”

For the complete article, email Laura.

ISO stamp = PASS

2009-05-26T13:43:00.003-04:00

On May 14, Sunset Metal Works was audited (and APPROVED) by QMI/SAI Global for certification of ISO 9001:2008. The certification process will take a few weeks and no official announcements can be made until that time.

Peter Nicklas, Sunset’s Quality Auditor and Welding Engineer, spear-headed the lengthy and tedious process with the help of each employee, outside consultants and customer input.

Stay tuned for the official celebration and announcement!

To learn more about ISO, click: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_9000.

Maybe Fable. But, Flying Turtles?!

2009-04-29T23:50:00.000-04:00

Everyone knows the fable of the tortoise and the hare. The moral is: slow and steady wins the race.

In today's world, the hare can't rest on its laurels, squeezing in a quick slumber. Times'a changing. The Tortoise drank a Red Bull and grew wings, just as the bunny blinked. No hare in business is napping anymore. Its survival of the fittest. And, the fittest are fast-to-change and quick-to-contact.

"The world is changing very fast.
Big will not beat small anymore.
It will be the fast beating the slow."
-Rupert Murdoch

Training Schools and Platinum Rules

2009-04-29T22:24:00.004-04:00

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been working with a consultant, Don, to do some company training. We completed our DiSC profiles and learned a lot about each other, but mostly ourselves. Don related our self-explorations and revelations to the “Golden Rule” and upped the ante. Positive workplace communication requires the “Platinum Rule”… Communicate Unto Others The Way They Wish To Be Communicated To.

At work, home, or play… this rule is sometimes easier said than done, just like most things in life. But especially the advice consultants give. After all, isn't that why they “specialize” in specific fields or areas of expertise? If it all came this easy to us, there would be no reason to be consoled. In the ensuing weeks, I'm sure this information will fade into the shadows of our minds, but it will serve us well… when WE choose to call upon from our mental libraries.

Armed with knowledge of how to better communicate with my co-workers, family or friends, I believe it is ultimately our character that will aid in determining all outcomes. Conflict and resolution. Ups and downs. Successes and failures.

With that, I reflect on a quote that reminds me…

"Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

Marketing at "The Office"

2009-04-29T21:44:00.000-04:00

"Convergence. Viral marketing. We're going guerrilla. We're takin' it to the streets while keeping an eye on the street. Wall Street. I don't want to reinvent the wheel here. In other words, it is what it is.
Buyin' [metal] just became fun."
- paraphrased from Ryan, The Office

NBC’s hit comedy “The Office” is one of my favorite, weekly outlets for laughter. Not that I believe the show models a healthy work environment, but I will probably make reference to it often for the shear humor. And since blogging is for information and entertainment, that's what I'll make it.

After all, the Marketing Dept. at Sunset Metal Works hopes to head the Chair of the Fun Committee. Stay tuned… its still in its infancy stages of planning!

Welcome to Our Blog!

2009-03-06T12:44:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the official blog of Sunset Metal Works!
First, we'll explain a little more about who we are and what we do. And, as time continues, we'll update our blog with news, photos, and other interesting facts. Make sure to visit often!

Our Story
Sunset Metal Works, Inc., is located in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. We are in the business of producing some of the industry's highest quality weldments and fabrications, as a contract manufacturer. Our customers range from large corporations to local artisans, in a variety of industries. The majority of our work is for large original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the construction, agriculture, vertical transportation, and aerial work platforms markets. Sunset Metal Works also fabricates parts for the Dept. of Defense and other government contractors. We are a Veteran-owned small business and are dedicated to supporting our nation's armed forces.

We are a small business dedicated to mutual successes. We have more than 35 employees, from welding engineers to shop schedulers to welders to inspectors that are driven to deliver what we say we do. Every Part. Every Customer. Every Day. Detail Driven Excellence. Our employees provide more than 400 years of manufacturing experience. Sunset Metal Works is a phoenix of Greencastle Metal Works, both owned by Jim Nicklas. Two of his four children are active in the business.

Located within Sunset Commercial & Industrial Park (SCIP), we are conveniently located within a close proximity to major travel routes (I-81, 76, 70), making us easily accessible for deliveries and personal visits. We invite our customers and guests to plan a visit. Words are just words. Pictures say 1,000 of them. A visit, even more. We look forward to showing you around!

Call or email us today to learn more about partnering with Sunset Metal Works for all of your fabrication needs.
Location: 221 Sunset Blvd W - Chambersburg, PA 17202
Office: 717.263.1550
Email: lnicklas@sunsetmetalworks.com