Hexagon Closes Fond du Lac Plant

Citing excess capacity and efficiency as the key reasons, Hexagon Metrology is closing its plant in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. During the past year, the plant, which assembled Sheffield brand products, has been shifting operations to Hexagon’s new facility in North Kingstown, Rhode Island. The move was part of an overall operational consolidation effort, and to take advantage of the superior assembly capabilities of the Rhode Island facility, according to William Fetter, director of marketing and communications for Hexagon Metrology.

“Since the Rhode Island facility opened in 2006, its purpose-built design, efficient manufacturing flow, and advanced process techniques have allowed Hexagon Metrology to reduce the manufacturing time on the average machine by approximately 75 percent, and reduce energy consumption by 50 percent,” Fetter explains. “These efficiency improvements had the effect of creating greater overall capacity in the single new Rhode Island facility than the old Rhode Island factory plus Fond du Lac combined. Many of the key parts for the machines are also machined in the Rhode Island, so the reduction of shipping costs was also a benefit.”

The Fond du Lac site was also a logistics center for spare parts. That function was moved to Miamisburg, Ohio, a site that placed it closer to customers.

When the facility was purchased by Hexagon Metrology in 2004, there were 85 employees, including remotely based personnel in sales and service. According to Fetter, many of those original 85 employees continue to be employed by Hexagon Metrology in their original or different roles. “It’s always a difficult decision to close any facility, but in light of the advantages of Rhode Island, this is a decision that was coming irrespective of the economy,” says Fetter.

About The Author

Dirk Dusharme @ Quality Digest

Dirk Dusharme is Quality Digest’s editor in chief.