Starrett profiled on "Made in America" series

The L.S. Starrett Co., a supplier of precision measuring tools and equipment, is being featured on John Ratzenberger's "Made in America" series on the Travel Channel. The 10-minute episode presently is scheduled to air Jan. 9 at 9:30 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time).

Currently in its third season, the series celebrates the people, places, and products that are uniquely American, saluting the men and women who work with their hands to make the products that are the backbone of the U.S. economy.

Starrett was chosen because of its 125-year American tool-making heritage, its high quality products, and a skilled, dedicated work force, the company said. The company also said it is the last remaining full-line American precision tool company still manufacturing, selling, and servicing products in the U.S. and worldwide.

Ratzenberger (a former carpenter who owns a Starrett square) and his entourage spent a day at the company filming, touring the plant, and interviewing employees, while learning and observing tool manufacturing processes for products such as calipers, squares, indicators, and electronic precision tools. He also tried his hand at tool making.

Commenting on precision manufacturing, Ratzenberger said, "I grew up in Bridgeport, Conn., a manufacturing town, in and around machinists and machines. I've always thought of machinists as artists. When you're working with tolerances of one ten-thousandth of an inch, if you make a mistake on that piece, you have to throw it away. Leonardo da Vinci could paint over his mistakes and everyone knows who he is. It's my job to make the world aware that these are true artists."