Local Manufacturers Host Congressman LoBiondo

Compass Wire Cloth Corporation in Vineland and Friedrich & Dimmock Inc. in Millville hosted visits by US Representative for District 2, Frank LoBiondo. New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program, Inc. (NJMEP) worked with the manufacturers and Congressional staff to schedule the visits. NJMEP has long standing relationships with these manufacturers and as a result was able to assist Congressman LoBiondo schedule visits to his manufacturing constituents.

Compass Wire Cloth Corporation is an ISO 9001:2008 certified fabricator of wire cloth screens and specialty products. The company employs 60 people in its state-of-the-art facility. Owner Mike McGrath and Director of Human Resources Eileen Duffy welcomed the Congressman, his chief of Staff Mary Annie Harper and NJMEP Senior Account Manager Karen Evanko. Co Owner Bob Abate took them through the facility. Chris Toppi VP of Operations explained how the company had become so successful… through sustainable sales.

The Congressman, who had previously visited the company, said. “Upon my return visit I was pleased to see that the company had continued to grow, investing locally and adding new employees. Compass prides themselves on meeting the demands of a changing industry and is widely respected for its top rate customer service.”

Along with the dedication and expertise of management and employees, Compass Wire Cloth has benefited from New Jersey Department of Labor Workforce training grants that enabled them to work with NJMEP to train its employees in lean manufacturing, quality, change management, sales and welding. The company also invested in a marketing research project that helped them expand their market by diversifying.

Following the Compass Wire Cloth visit Congressman LoBiondo, Ms. Harper and Ms. Evanko visited Friedrich & Dimmock, Inc., an ISO certified manufacturer of borosilicate glass tubing. Friedrich & Dimmock, also through a DOL grant, worked with NJMEP to secure their ISO certification and implement Lean manufacturing tools and techniques within their organization.

Congressman LoBiondo pointed out, “With over 100 years in business, Friedrich continues to grow and adapt in a global market. Joe (Plumbo) continues the family tradition of innovation and meeting the changing times. Their in-house expertise keeps them in the forefront of servicing their clients.” Mr. Plumbo explained the manufacturing process and how Lean, ISO certification and using continuous improvement has grown the company. Friedrich & Dimmock is a global player exporting their unique products to China, Australia and many other countries.

Both Congressional and State Legislators are actively engaging their manufacturing constituents to hear how they can assist this important sector compete in the global marketplace.

Congressman LoBiondo visits Compass Wire Cloth (pictured below)

Congressman LoBiondo visits Friedrich & Dimmock, Inc. (pictured below)