PMPA Member Profile: Fischer Special Manufacturing
Fischer Special Manufacturing celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The company was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio by brothers Charles and Frederick Fischer. In the early days, the pair primarily manufactured spark coils for the emerging automotive industry.
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Fischer Special Manufacturing celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. The company was founded in Cincinnati, Ohio by brothers Charles and Frederick Fischer. In the early days, the pair primarily manufactured spark coils for the emerging automotive industry.
The family's second generation of ownership, cousins Fred and Pete Fischer, expanded the company's capabilities by manufacturing nuts, fasteners and other high-volume products. They also moved the business into a larger facility to accommodate the growing number of multi-spindle screw machines. In 1980, the cousins built a new plant and relocated the company across the Ohio River from Cincinnati to Cold Spring, Kentucky.
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Today, the founders' grandsons, Fred and Steve Fischer, run the operation. The facility houses 40 Davenport multi-spindle machines, 12 single-spindle machines and a secondary department that includes CNC and toolmaking capabilities. The shop is certified to ISO 9002 and QS 9000 standards.
With more than 50 employees, Fischer now produces precision parts, nuts and inserts for a range of industries. "Probably 40 percent of our market is third-tier automotive," says Steve Fischer, vice president and treasurer of the company. "The rest of our customers' products vary, from toys to medical to electronics." Steve Fischer manages the company's sales and administration, while company president, Fred Fischer, oversees the engineering and manufacturing.
A member of PMPA since the association's founding in 1933, the company has been involved extensively in the association's board and committee activities over the past 70 years. "PMPA does a lot for us," Fred Fischer says. "Networking with people in our industry and exchanging ideas and problems with other members is the number one benefit.
"PMPA is unique among trade associations," he continues. "It does a tremendous amount of technical sharing, which is something you don't see in a lot of other organizations."
Both of the Fischers speak highly of the association's meetings and conferences. "The Technical Conference is very important to us. We send our people to it every year," Fred explains. "The Management Update is probably even more important to me personally in order to be exposed to new ideas on managing a business."
Steve Fischer noted the value of information available to members. "We take advantage of PMPA's programs and services," he says. "We use everything from the statistical reports to training tools."
Fischer is planning a 100th anniversary party this summer for past and current employees. "Most screw machine manufacturers started around World War II, so we were a generation ahead of them," Fred states. "We're very proud of our history."
Fischer Special Manufacturing Inc. is located at 1188 Industrial Road, Cold Spring, Kentucky 41076. Telephone: (859) 781-1400. Web site: www.fischerspecial.com
