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Laystrom Manufacturing Co.

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Full metal service — laser cutting, stamping, forming, welding, assembly, painting, plating, brass, CRS, HRPO, SS — all in a day's work!

Laystrom Manufacturing Co.
3900 W. Palmer St.
Chicago, IL 60647
773-342-4800
www.laystrom.com
laystrommanufacturing.blogspot.com

By Colin Cosgrove

OPENED: 1951

WHY:
The Laystrom family has been in manufacturing forever.

CAPABILITIES:
Full metal processing: laser cutting, stamping, forming, welding, and assembly

SHOP WORKHORSE(S):
Amada Gemini flexible manufacturing System (4,000-W laser with lights-out automation), Amada 130-ton press brake, Minster 250-ton straight side stamping press with full sensor protection, and Panasonic welding robot.

MOST UNUSUAL OR MEMORABLE PROJECT:
Remember those black pay phones that lined conference halls, train stations, and were on every corner? We made them. In fact, production was moved from Mexico to Laystrom! In a transition not uncommon in manufacturing, we now make parts for cell phone towers for around the globe.

GREATEST CHALLENGE:
The challenges of metal prices, trade agreements, customer cost-cutting tactics, and changing engineering specifications will always come and go. Our greatest challenge and greatest reward is always people — developing skills and relationships and understanding personal motivations — whether within the company or externally with suppliers and customers. 

LOOKING AHEAD:
Just as with Mark Twain, the reports of the death of manufacturing are greatly exaggerated. The strength of the industrial and manufacturing economy is critical to the overall strength of the U.S. economy, and manufacturing has been leading the way out of the recent recession. We expect continued growth; however, our crystal ball is somewhat cloudy, and the pace of that growth is unclear!  

ADVICE FOR WOULD-BE SHOP OWNERS:
Hire good people, treat them well, hold them accountable — and let them do their jobs!

CONTACT
Colin Cosgrove
Laystrom Manufacturing Co.