Year in Review
While celebrating our centennial year was our top highlight this year, the following list summarizes other key developments at Barron Industries in 2023:
Major Technological Advancements:
- Acquired ProCast (by ESI) casting simulation software to reduce production costs and time-to-market
- Installed metallurgical sample polisher to evaluate metal microstructures
- Added a 2nd high-temperature furnace for complex hot straightening operations
- Integrated cobots (collaborative robots) into CNC machining operations to optimize workflow and reduce downtime
- Acquired an additional Makino a81nx high-performance horizontal machining center
Partnerships and Collaborations:
- Sponsor of the 2nd annual Defense and Advanced Manufacturing Conference hosted by Oakland County, Michigan’s Department of Economic Development and Community Affairs.
- Received Michigan Industry 4.0 Grant to implement cobot CNC machine tending
- Exhibited at AeroOne 2023, an Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan (AIAM) event for aerospace OEMs, suppliers and thought leaders.
- Partnered with Oakland County Michigan Works! to provide on-the-job training and professional development to 40 new and current employees, including a new CNC Machining apprenticeship.
- One of 8 foundries in the US participating with the Investment Casting Institute in the America Makes grant project to commercialize 3D-printed ceramic shells to rapidly produce parts with no tooling
- Participated in Michigan Economic Development Corporation Trade Mission to Aeromart Montreal
- Exibited at the National Defense Industry Association (NDIA) GVSETS and MDEX events
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives:
- Sponsor of the 2nd annual Michigan Girls Future Flight Challenge hosted by the Women of Aerospace Industry Association of Michigan (WAIAM)
- Gifted emergency training kits to the Oxford Fire Department
- Sponsor of the Oxford High School Football coverage on Oxford Community Television
- Funded development of the Helen Smith Park in Oxford, Michigan
- Reduced energy consumption by installing lower cost high-efficiency LED lights super high efficiency HVAC units
- Coordinated a workplace Christmas Giving Tree initiative in which our team members donated gifts and essentials to a local family in need
Leadership Changes:
- Appointment of new Production Planner/Expeditor to manage the flow of material (parts in process) and increase speed of production process
- Retained a dedicated CMMC Compliance representative to achieve full Level 2 CMMC compliance by January 2024
- We welcomed our new Controller and bid farewell to our retired CFO of 15 years.
Recognition and Achievements:
- Named “Exceptional Small Business Supplier” by Lockheed Martin
- Achieved Boeing certification for Non-destructive testing and welding of stainless steel/nickel/cobalt alloys and aluminum
- Achieved full Level 1 CMMC compliance
- Received Michigan Works! Impact Award for dedication to workforce development
- Celebrated 100 years as a family-owned metal casting company