The company has been manufacturing production parts for a number of years. Clayton says, “We make complete roller lifters for aftermarket high performance automobiles. There are less than a handful of shops located throughout the United States who manufacture this product.” Josh says that Roy secured this business years ago through his connections in the drag racing world. Roy was a chassis builder in the early 1960’s at Frank Huzsar’s Race Car Specialties and a partner in the exotic Herbert, Hampshire & Steen dual-F85-powered fuel dragster - the first in a long series of projects for the Herbert family, which further included Chet’s four engine, 6,000HP streamliner (nicknamed the “Herbertliner”).
Roy and Clayton were drag racers, and Clayton’s two sons, Alex (16 years old) and Chandler, at 12 years of age, are now 3rd generation racers. Clayton says that so far, the 3rd generation is the most successful in terms of race wins. Josh’s daughters, one who is 5 and the second who is 8 years old, are still too young yet to become racecar drivers.
Range in Part Sizes and Quantities |
While the company supports production runs in the quantities of up to 50,000 parts per year, they also regularly support custom designs with engineering and machining of prototypes. Clayton finds the prototypes especially exciting because it challenges his product design expertise.
Josh says, “Our part sizes range from very small, of the size where you could fit hundreds into your hand, to cylinder heads and other large parts for the nuclear industry that weigh thousands of pounds.”
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Roy purchased superior equipment early on, and his purchase choices were largely determined by the honesty, fair terms and “after-the-sale” support his company would receive from their machine tool dealer (Smith Machinery). Josh says, “Roy started buying equipment from Smith Machinery nearly 40 years ago, and whenever we can, we purchase from them.”
Clayton continued, “During the 1980s, when the economy faced a downturn and Roy suffered from an illness, the company was struggling with bills. Smith Machinery was one of a few of our suppliers who really worked with Roy to help get the debt paid off. Josh and I will never forget the companies who helped us when we needed it.”
The company really values Mazak machine tools, and this is evident from the number of machines they own today. Their turning machines include a Mazak QT-8N, QT-15N, QT-6G and QT-30 plus two multi-tasking, twin spindle, turn/mill centers a QTN-100II-MSY and the Multiplex-6200Y. They also have several Mazak machining centers, a VTC-16C and two Nexus Vertical Machining centers, a VCN-410A and the popular VCN-510CII.
Clayton says, “Our Mazaks have enabled our ability to run lights out 24x7. We do this for our production runs, and it really enables us to be very competitive in our pricing. Plus, we are living in a low cost of living area, and this too makes our pricing outstanding.”
To learn more about how Steen & Sons
can provide high quality, superior parts at a fair price, call them at 208-522-7341. Article courtesy of A2Z Metalworker |