Infrastructure Informative

Infrastructure Informative BRINGING IT HOME – CORDLESS T&D LINE ASSEMBLED IN THE USA When STANLEY Infrastructure launched the Cordless T&D line of crimping tools last October at ICUEE , we were excited for many reasons. Not only was the weather resistant design revolutionary, but the release marked our commitment to the new corporate initia- tive, “Make Where We Sell” – a company-wide pledge from our parent, Stanley Black & Decker, to invest in the communities we serve. At home and abroad, STANLEY Infrastructure is fo- cused on making our tools in the markets where they will ultimately be used. The Cordless T&D weather-re- sistant crimping tool is primarily sold in North Ameri- ca, so we thought it should be made in North America. After careful consideration, our production facility in Portland, Oregon, was selected to be the hub for our new Cordless T&D line. The Portland plant has been building STANLEY hydraulic tools and attachments for years, by bringing the manufacturing of the cordless T&D line in house we can focus on revolutionizing how electric utility tools are used. Since making this major announcement, they’ve been busy in Portland. A “clean room” had to be construct- ed for assembling the crimper and other high-perfor- mance tools. The room is designed to keep out dust, dirt, and grit, and access requires authorization and training. Plus, new machinery was installed includ- ing CNC milling machines and fixtures, new assembly tools, and more. To perform this important new job, internal workers were promoted and additional personnel added. Ev- eryone working on the crimpers received special train- ing – because even though the assembly is automated it involves more complicated mechanical tasks. From the circuit board, to battery controllers, to program- ming the firmware, a higher degree of technical skill is needed to deliver the end product. All workers have been specially trained to combine automation and complex electrical assembly to ensure the highest quality. The end result will be tools which are extremely high quality and of exceptional value. It’s an exciting time at STANLEY Infrastructure. We have over 50 years of accumulated knowledge to build on, and what we are building are the tools of the future. And with this new initiative, we see more and more of those tools being built right here at home.