a beautiful Gypsy!

Here is a photo of a 1974 MFG boat! It is a "Gypsy" model and is in original and beatiful condition. The boat was made by MFG in Union City, PA, and I happend to be General Manager at that time.

Many thanks to Ken Ralyon for sending us the photo. Great job, Ken. Bringing back some nice memories. 35 years old never looked so good!

Mt Hood

Here is a photo of Mt Hood (from the north), that I snapped from an airplane. This is a beautiful mountain that sits 50 miles east of Portland, OR. By mountaineeeing standards, Hood is a short, relatively easy climb. By my standards, it was pretty tough! Several years ago my daughter Hilary and I, along with two nephews, hired guides and made the summit. The last part was steep, about 40 degress, but the sense on top was well worth the effort.
Hiking in the mountains is great therapy, something we could all use from time to time.

a beautiful new truck manufacturing plant

One of the most interesting aspects of being a manufacturer that supplies to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM's), is that we visit our customers, both at their purchasing/engineering offices, and at their manufacturing plants. Many of these manufacturing plants are very impressive and interesting. For example, the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, KY, is very stimulating to see. Another very impressive plant is the new Daimler Truck plant located in Saltillo, MX. This plant is over 1.2 million square feet, and contains the latest in truck manufacturing equipment and technology. MFG supplies composites parts to Saltillo as well as DTNA plants in Oregon, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

In the photo above, I have the privilege of standing by Mark Hernandez, Plant Manager. We are quite impressed with Mark and his Team!

A beautiful truck (and hood)!

MFG, in addition to manufacturing automotive parts, has for decades produced composite parts and assemblies for the world's leading truck manufacturers. The photo at the left shows a Daimler class 6/7 truck, displayed in DTNA's North American headquarters (Portland, OR). It is a beautiful and successful truck and possesses a composite hood using MFG's unique PRIME process. The hood is molded and assembled in MFG's North Carolina facility, and is shipped to DTNA truck assembly plants in NC and Mexico.

Admittedly, I am a little partial, but if I may, this is one of the most beautiful truck hoods anywhere. Certainly to me, and hopefully to the many thousands of customers who drive this outstanding vehicle.

Hollywood goes to Ashtabula

We have recently made two DVD's, one describing our new materials entity,"iCOM", and the other introducing our new commercial process, named "PRIME". Both of these DVD's were written, directed, and produced by Media Magic Productions of Jeffersson, OH. Much of the video was shot in Ashtabula, and the remainder shot in Linesville, PA, and Morganton, NC.

Producing a quality DVD demands the dilgent work of professionals, plus the "work" of amateurs, who must do their lines over and over. One of these amateurs is shown rehearsing in the photo on the left.

We wore makeup! Hollywood look out.

The most beautiful fiber glass boat in the world!

To me, at least. Here is a photo of a 15 foot MFG boat still in operation and in great condition. The photo was sent to us by its owner in the Buffalo, NY area. This fiber glass beauty is over 50 years old!

MFG pioneered fiber glass boats beginning in 1955. While we no longer make boats, the use of fiber glass reinforced plastic still remains the main stream material for boat building throughout the world.

My Running Career

In March, 1976, I decided that I was not in good shape physically, so I took up running. At first I could not run a half mile, but I kept working at it. I remember the painful shin splints, and waking up stiff as an over-starched shirt.

In September of that year, I entered the Presque Isle Marathon and completed the 26.2 mile course in 3 hours and 33 minutes. I was delighted and somewhat amazed that I could run that far. The next few days were very painful, particularly going down stairs.

As you can see from the photo, lots of running can help you lose lots of pounds! I lost 50 pounds in the process, and Mom was convinced that I was starving. During my "running career", I completed 33 marathons, including New York City and Los Angeles, and managed to run a few 50 milers as well. Met lots of nice people and ate lots of good pasta!