News
Keeping you up-to-date on all Fabrico News
Fabrico Forms Relationships with Local Trade Schools
Fabrico is forging relationships with the local trade schools in an effort to develop experienced machinists and metal fabricators.
The company has developed a new Co-op program that will further educate students and prepare them for the working world. The redesigned curriculum has increased the appeal of the Co-op program while still maintaining its original technical education. The program is rotational and therefore, allows students gain experience in all areas of metal fabrication and machining including machine programming and operation, welding, laser cutting, and inspection. The program uses a hands-on approach with students working one-on-one with Fabrico employees to further develop their skills. Top performing Co-op students receive job offers upon completion of the program. Currently, Fabrico employs one Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School graduate and four co-op students.
To give young men and women an inside look at a manufacturing plant, Fabrico invites students from local trade schools to visit their facility. In the fall, nineteen students from the Metal Fabrication trade at Bay Path visited Fabrico where they were able to see how a plant operates and observe the different processes included in creating a given part.
This December, Fabrico donated $20,000 of material to Bay Path's Metal Fabrication Shop and $5,000 to Worcester Technical High School's Welding Shop. The commitment of resources to local trade schools is part of Fabrico's initiative to develop the next generation of skilled metal workers and therefore help to grow the Massachusetts economy well into the future.
Fabrico, Inc. Acquires Johnson Tool And Manufacturing
Enhances One-Stop Approach To Complex Machined
And Fabricated Assemblies of Precision Metal Parts
OXFORD, MA, October 21, 2011 - Fabrico, Inc. announced today that it has acquired Johnson Tool & Manufacturing, Inc., located in Charlton, MA. Johnson Tool specializes in the short-to-medium run manufacture of high-tolerance components, assemblies, tools, and gages. The acquisition adds precision machining, prototyping, wire EDM, grinding, and CNC milling and turning to Fabrico's contract metal manufacturing capabilities.
"I am thrilled to add Johnson to the Fabrico team. Johnson Tool and Manufacturing has built a reputation as a first rate machine shop doing high quality work for marquee customers," said Patrick Mullane, President and CEO, Fabrico, Inc. Ray Johnson, owner and President of Johnson added, "We believe that the expertise Johnson has developed in precision machining and the culture we have nurtured fits perfectly with Fabrico's culture and goals."
The addition of Johnson's employees and capabilities will enable Fabrico to significantly shorten lead times to its global customer base by allowing it to control more of the processes it uses to manufacture quality parts with short lead times. "This acquisition will extend and increase Fabrico's capabilities and bring us closer to providing customers with a truly one-stop-shop solution for complex machined and fabricated assemblies," said Patrick Mullane. Johnson personnel and equipment will remain at their location in Charlton, MA and the facility will be led by the owner's son, Ray Johnson.
Founded in 1985, Fabrico, Inc. is a contract manufacturer and engineering services provider that supplies complex components to the land-based gas turbine, semiconductor, steam turbine, and aviation markets. Known for its use of specialty alloys, including Hastelloy and Inconel, Fabrico brings a level of precision, quality assurance, and engineering service that is unique in the manufacturing world.
Fabrico Builds Lasting Relationships with its Employees
While it may sound cliché, what's true for many companies is what's true for Fabrico: Its most valuable assets are its employees. Fabrico has always understood that success is only achieved by having the right people. Therefore, a great deal of effort is placed on recruiting and retaining talented, enthusiastic people. Fabrico provides an environment where employees can grow alongside the company. In fact, several of Fabrico's earliest employees still work there today.
When long-serving employees (called 10+ employees) were asked what had compelled them to stay a part of the Fabrico team for so long, there were several common themes: relationships, challenging work, opportunity for growth, dedication, and the environment and atmosphere.
On the manufacturing floor the bond among the 10+ employees is strong; they came in together and they will retire together, stated one employee. They have grown to have a profound respect for one another and each other's talents. Employees Tony Leone, Herbert Vicaire, and Hib Koo say Fabrico is a great place to work because everyone is friendly, they don't let small problems bother them, and they openly communicate with each other.
Open communication is a big part of Fabrico's success. Walking through the building you will see machinist, welders, and other operators working with engineers, estimators, and top management to develop ways to solve problems. Estimating Manager, Michael Cenedella, says his favorite part about working at Fabrico is the team-oriented environment. He said that "everyone feels as though they can contribute something to the mix, and not just by ‘doing their job'."
A major factor in job satisfaction is challenging work. Yefim Pozdniakov, CNC Punch Operator, says that working with the most sophisticated machinery to produce precision parts from high temperature alloys keeps his day interesting, which keeps him at Fabrico. Hib Koo, Welding Supervisor, said "there is precision in what we do, most people cannot do it -our guys are talented." He went on to say that the specialized talent needed to produce the quality parts Fabrico is known for keeps him motivated. He compared Fabrico's welders to artists saying they must be good with their hands and minds. Bogdan Lachcik, Tooling and Design Engineer, began working at Fabrico as one of two engineers in the engineering department. He stated that as Fabrico grew it faced various obstacles, but that motivated him to find efficient solutions in tooling and machinery designs.
Fabrico provides its employees with the opportunity for growth and exploration. Michael Cenedella has played several roles at Fabrico before settling down as Estimating Manager. He began his career as a mechanic where he was given the opportunity to guide the work flow of parts. Years later he moved into estimating where he was able to gain experience in inside sales. Later, he served for several years as Engineering Manager.
John Sweet, Sheet Metal Mechanic, has been at Fabrico for almost 13 years. He says that what motivates him is working a flat piece of material into a useful shape. CEO Patrick Mullane appreciates the same thing John does: "Since joining the company," Patrick commented, "I have been in awe of the intricate pieces our folks are able to make from a piece of flat metal." The breadth of what Fabrico can do with its raw material has grown over the years as more equipment with different capabilities was added to the plant. Kane Phomphithak, sheet metal mechanic, noted that this inventory of capabilities has allowed him to become immersed in the sheet metal industry, something he thrives on.
Employees say that they aren't the only ones who are dedicated; they feel Fabrico is dedicated to them, as well. In hard economic times Fabrico finds ways to flourish, keeping all of their employees jobs secure. And those jobs are housed in a new manufacturing plant that Fabrico built from scratch five years ago. Unlike many metal fabrication and machining locations throughout New England, the plant is spacious, modern, and well lit. The environment is one that not only helps employees perform better but also impresses customers, helping drive Fabrico sales.
The longevity of many Fabrico employees is a testament to the environment those same employees have fostered at the company. It is one where coworkers are friends and mentors, where difficult challenges are met every day, and where pride in workmanship is evident in the quality products it delivers to a global customer base each and every year. It is the reason Fabrico has become an employer of choice in Central Massachusetts.
Fabrico Employees Enjoy Annual Company Party 
On August 5, Fabrico Inc., Oxford, MA, held their annual company party to celebrate the hard work and efforts of everyone at the company. The party was opened by President and CEO, Patrick Mullane, who delivered a short message that can be summed up in two words, Thank you.
The party had a fun, light-hearted atmosphere. Employees enjoyed the company of their co-workers and family while they dined on traditional barbeque style food. As the party centered around family, it was only right that there be pony rides, an all-you-can-eat ice cream truck, and a clown. But the highlight of the party for all who attended was a dunk tank. The first in the hot seat was owner Patrick Mullane who was dunked too many times to count, and all with a smile on his face. Quality Manager, Kent Spencer was next to be dunked. Kent, who is usually seen as serious, seemed to have more fun than the people dunking him. The reason for this could have been that each timed they were dunked $10 was donated to Veterans, Inc. the total donation amount was $300.
Overall, the party was a success. Employees were able to let loose and have fun. And management was able to show their appreciation for their employee's hard work and dedication.
VP of Operations, Scott Healy, Recognized as Life Member in the American Welding Society
Scott Healy, Fabrico's Vice President of Operations has just marked his 35th year as an American Welding Society (AWS) Member. The American Welding Society is a nonprofit organization designed to advance the science, technology and application of welding and related joining disciplines. Members are given the opportunity to enhance their professional development through educational and career resources.
Although Scott is now VP of Operations at Fabrico, he began his career as a welder. Scott was a welder and fitter from 1976 to 1984 and used his membership in the American Welding Society to help him excel and further his career.
Scott now holds the Life Member status in the American Welding Society due to his continued support of the organization. He has been invited to a ceremony in Chicago, Illinois at this year's FABTECH Show to recognize his commitment to the American Welding Society.
Fabrico's Joe Godzik Races to Help Cure Cancer
The Pan-Mass Challenge is the nation's original fundraising bike-a-thon and raises more money than any other athletic fundraising event in the country. It donates 100% of every rider-raised dollar directly to cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. To date, the PMC has contributed $303 million to lifesaving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Thousands of riders from all over the world travel to Sturbridge or Wellesley, MA on the first Saturday of August to ride together to Bourne, MA with one common goal in mind, a cure for cancer. The race is approximately 142 miles long and takes several days to complete. Here at Fabrico, we are proud to say we are home to one of those riders, Joe Godzik, Quality Assurance Inspector.
Since 2006, Joe has participated in what he calls "the greatest cancer fundraising event in the world," the Pan-Mass Challenge. It seemed natural for Joe to take part in this fundraiser as it involves one of his greatest pleasures, riding his bike. He says that knowing that he can ride for such a worthy cause only makes the trip more enjoyable. With the help of family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors Joe has raised over $17,000 which was donated to the Dana- Farber Cancer Institute.
Fabrico Executives Serve as Board Members
Fabrico, Inc. CEO and President, Patrick Mullane, and CFO, Amanda Magee, place great emphasis on community involvement. As board members they share their vast knowledge to help ensure the success of the community.
Patrick Mullane, Nichols College Board of Advisors.
The Nichols College Board of Advisors was established in 2007 and is comprised of distinguished alumni, educators, business leaders, and scholars. The board meets annually to discuss the college and special matters and is currently placing an emphasis on developing a more robust recruitment and internship pipeline for Nichols College students and graduates. Additionally, the board seeks ways to enhance the reputation of Nichols College both regionally and nationally.
Patrick Mullane, President and CEO of Fabrico, Inc., was named to the board in the spring of 2011. Patrick was appointed after becoming involved in the recruitment of Nichols College students and serving as a guest speaker in the school's Professional Development Seminar program. In addition to numerous general management roles in businesses throughout his career, Patrick has also been involved in a number of educational institutions (the University of Notre Dame, Golden Gate University, and the Harvard Business School) as a student and spent two years running a business that assisted college students prepare for graduate school programs.
Amanda Magee, Board of Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation.
In 2010, the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) was created with $35 million of new capital. Establishment of the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation involved consolidating the Massachusetts Community Development Finance Corporation (CDFC) and the Economic Stabilization Trust (EST).
The mission of the MGCC is to create and preserve jobs at small businesses, women and minority owned businesses, and to promote economic development in underserved, gateway municipalities and low and moderate income communities. Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation provides a centralized resource at the state level that offers working capital, loan guarantees, and targeted technical assistance to solve specific financial and operational problems.
Amanda Magee, CFO of Fabrico, was appointed to the board in 2011. Amanda brings to the board over two decades of experience in entrepreneurial companies in a number of industries. Her tenure in these firms has given her a unique perspective on issues related to the capital needs of small and midsized companies.
Building a Global Company One Part at a Time
Fabrico was featured in the Protector Group Insurance Agency Newsletter. The article highlights Fabrico's humble beginnings of a 5,000 square foot facility to its growing success and move to an 80,000 square foot facility. Also showcased is Fabrico's contract manufacturing expertise, experience in high temperate alloys, prototyping department, and community involvement.
Read the full article, Building a Global Company One Part at a Time.
10 Old Webster Road, Oxford, MA 01540-0701 | Phone (508) 987-5900
