Ellwood Texas Forge - News -
Welcome to the ETF website. We have designed this site for ease of navigation and to emphasize the products we forge. If you have a shape which is complex and want to investigate forging as a route to manufacture, please contact us from any page via e-mail or call and talk to one of our knowledgeable and experienced sales professionals.
Markets As we review 1999, we encountered many challenges and opportunities. The Oil and Gas
markets and most of our Industrial markets were still depressed from the "Asia crisis". The good news is that things seemed to bottom out for us in the second quarter of 1999 and we expect steady improvement in 2000. We appreciate
the support of our owners, employees and suppliers during the past 18 months of low activity and thank our customers for their efforts to live up to prior agreements and share marketing information with us. Our company grew rapidly in 1995
through the early 1998 period and we look forward to getting back on the same growth track. 2000 should see an improved Oil and Gas market with Western Canada leading the way. Our Military business will also be strong
as we ship forgings for the Tomahawk Cruise Missile. Likewise our Industrial Products business should pick up as we continue to ship new products for land-based gas turbines and off-road vehicles. In 2000 we will continue to seek
new applications for our forging technology and equipment. New Equipment Our new 6,000 ton press complex came on stream this month. This closed die press will make slightly smaller forgings than our 11,000 ton
press and will make them much faster. Phase 1 of this project, which we have just completed, was an $8 million investment. People We have several Human Resource activities underway. Several years ago we
instituted the E.I. duPont safety program - STOP (Safety Training Observation Program) and this continues to be an active program for us. During the first two years we trained all levels of management and starting in 1999 all
plant workers are receiving extensive classroom training. An ETF Safety video was also created. In 1999 we started a "Wellness Program" for all employees on a voluntary basis. This program will increase employee awareness of
health issues and provide financial incentives for employees who meet certain health criteria. In 1998, Ellwood Texas Forge was proud to be the first forging company in North America to receive ISO 14001 for its Environmental System and we
made progress on several waste reduction objectives in 1999. Also in 1999 we began a renewed emphasis on Quality and Process Improvement (we were ISO 9001 Certified in 1992). This will continue through 2000 as we involve all
employees in continuous improvement and customer satisfaction. Thank you again for visiting our website.
1999 Review
January 1, 2000