BF History Part 8:

C

ontinual Improvement is a phrase that is overused and underappreciated, but at Benton it is a way of life. The objective is simple…. keep moving forward. Know your starting point. Focus on value. Progress will likely be iterative. Collaborate. Think and work holistically. Keep it simple and practical. Optimize and automate. Repeat.

A foundry is a transportation model. The less you move things, the more efficient you are. Yet, when visiting foundries and other manufacturers, you’ll often find that historical expansions and improvements resulted in a patchwork of buildings and processes. The product does not flow. There are multiple floor elevations, building columns are in the way, etc. Fritz’s view was that if you’re going to invest, then do it the right way. If a column is in the way, then move it. It may cost a bit more up-front, but there is no sense working around it for the rest of your life. The objectives have always been to invest in the plant and equipment to not only increase capacity, but streamline the process, improve process control, and expand your capabilities, while standardizing on the most apropos equipment. Benton Foundry’s facility reflects this mindset. We are in our 9th consecutive five-year capital expenditure plan with over 90% of our profits reinvested during our 45+ year history.

This view and a continual improvement philosophy carries through to other aspects of the operation that have not been previously discussed. Consider the extensive sustainability efforts, including the Benton Foundry Farm, LLC with over 200 acres of managed forest, planting trees to reach carbon neutrality in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Or, consider employee development, with training hours representing roughly 10-12% of all hours worked annually, plus the robust tuition reimbursement program partially funded through a $500,000 endowment at the Pennsylvania College of Technology. As a result of this program, we have an experienced, highly technical staff. Benton Foundry employs over 10 employees with associate’s degrees, over 20 employees with bachelor’s degrees and 7 employees with master’s degrees. In terms of seniority, we have 39 employees with over 20 years of experience PLUS another 40 employees with over 10 years of experience.

The point is that these initiatives are focused on more than just plant and equipment. They relate to sustainability, energy efficiency, information technology, employee development, and succession planning.

This leads us to one of the next exciting steps being taken. Benton Foundry is grooming the next generation. Jeff’s son, Kyle, is the 4th generation and has been with the company for 3-½ years. He has completed a job rotation performing every job in the foundry and is currently on the second shift melt department in a supervisory role. He also recently completed his master’s degree in engineering management from Wilkes University. As the 4th generation, this makes over 100 years that the Hall family has been in the iron foundry industry.

Benton Foundry is not just progress, it’s stability.

Benton Foundry is financially secure, has the technical staff and tools to make complex parts and has equipment and systems that are second to none. And, we continue to think long term as we groom the next generation.

A

s an alternative to a Holiday gift for our President, Jeff Hall this year, the office personnel at Benton Foundry decided to donate to a local charity.
Rescue Pets Serving Vets, Inc. is located in Benton, PA just a few miles from Benton Foundry. They are a non-profit organization focused on rescuing shelter pets, abandoned pets and special needs pets. They work on providing necessary medical care, training and love in their foster homes. Their ultimate goal is to home these pets with the right owner, in either the general public or with veterans that need a special companion as a service or emotional support animal.
Volunteer support and tax-deductible contributions enable them to continue to save animals; give them critical medical care, training and eventually the loving homes they deserve. These pets, in turn, help heal the hearts of our veterans, those with special needs and families in our communities.
Here are just a few of their current dogs ready to be adopted or fostered! Check out their website rescuepetsservingvets.org for further details or to make a donation.

D

uring the 4th quarter of 2024, Benton Foundry’s community outreach included the following activities:

• • Benton Area School District HOSA (Health Occupations Student America) Program – Donor
  • Benton Area School District Twenty-First Annual Holiday Meal for Senior Citizens – Donor
  • Benton Area School District and Central Columbia High School Spring Sports – Sponsor

• Benton Lions Club Halloween Parade – Donor
• Fishing Creek Watershed Association – Donor
• Northern Columbia County Community Center – Donor
• Wounded Warrior Project – Donor
• Benton Area School District Future Farmers of America – Donor
• Columbia/Montour SWAT Team – Donor
• Penn State University Industrial Engineering Advisory Member

Back Row: Paul Simko (Army), Kenny O’Brecht (Army), Jim Lamoreaux (Navy), Eric Piatt (Navy), Bob Houser (Army).

Front Row: Dave Hetler (Army), Randy Kadtke (Air Force), Bob Little (Army).

WHAT IS REAL ID?

Passed by Congress in 2005, the REAL ID Act enacted the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the Federal Government “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses.” The Act established minimum security standards for state-issued driver’s licenses and identification cards and prohibits certain federal agencies from accepting for official purposes licenses and identification cards from states that do not meet these standards.

These purposes are:

• Accessing certain federal facilities
• Boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft
• Entering nuclear power plants

The deadline for REAL ID enforcement is May 7, 2025.

How do I get a REAL ID?

Visit your state’s driver’s licensing agency website to find out exactly what documentation is required to obtain a REAL ID. At a minimum, you must provide documentation showing: 1) Full Legal Name; 2) Date of Birth; 3) Social Security Number; 4) Two Proofs of Address of Principal Residence; and 5) Lawful Status. States may impose additional requirements, so check with your state’s driver’s licensing agency website, before visiting them in person, for additional guidance and assistance.

Dept. of Homeland Security Website https://www.dhs.gov/

T

he story of Maine’s native wild turkeys is one of triumphant recovery following extirpation in the early 1800s. We are thankful for successful reintroduction in the 1980s and the healthy population we have today.

• Wild turkeys have numerous distinct vocalizations beyond gobble gobble. Their vocabulary includes cackles, clucks, purrs, putts and more!
• Wild turkeys are impressive triathletes. They can run 18 miles per hour on foot, fly nearly 60 miles per hour for a short sprint and are surprisingly powerful swimmers!
• The bare head and neck of a wild turkey are composed of a wattle, caruncles and a snood that expands, contracts and changes color with their mood!
• It takes more than a single handprint to draw a wild turkey. There can be over 5,000 feathers on a single bird!
• Young turkeys are called “poults.”
• You can tell the sex of the turkey by the shape of their scat—female scat is curly and male scat is a “J” shape.

~ mefishwildlife.com