Dutchman Manufacturing Receives Patent
Traverse City, MI, May 2, 2023 – Dutchman Manufacturing Company, LLC (DMC) has received a patent on one of the products they have designed and manufactured.
Dutchman Manufacturing which focuses on the fire protection industry, received a patent last month for their Storz-Type Fluid Coupling used on fire hydrants, emergency service vehicles and building fire protection systems. This new design reduces the number of components in the assembly while providing a stronger, higher quality, interface.
Thomas Van Fossen, inventor/CEO, explains, “The new design reduces assembly piece count by 50% and eliminates the majority of the subassembly labor requirements. By using advanced manufacturing equipment, we able to provide our customers a lighter, stronger Storz coupling while improving it’s performance.” Since it is designed, forged and manufactured entirely in the State of Michigan, DMC is able to effectively compete with those providing offshore variants or using a global supply chain.
“We’re extremely proud that our whole supply chain is within hours of our manufacturing plant in Traverse City,” noted Van Fossen. Being able to respond to customers needs without the global disruptions experienced over the last few years, has proven to be attractive to fire protection OEM’s (Original Equipment Manufacturers). “The market has taken notice.” Van Fossen reflected, “The fact we’re competitive on a global basis ensures that customers do not have to pay a premium for a superior product.”
The Storz-Type Fluid Coupling is of the highest quality as each component is machined in one operation using robotic gantry equipped turn/mill centers located within a temperature-controlled environment. This precision machining ensures product, fit, and long-term function uniformity. The low profile design is less protruding than traditional OEM designs and provides a compact envelope while allowing additional clearance for ease of use. This fluid coupling system is less prone to vandalism, and the Hydrant Storz-Type connections eliminate the use of the bronze nozzle, significantly reducing the incentive to be removed.
DMC specializes in the mid-to-high volume machining of non-ferrous components for the waterworks industry. ISO 9001 certified since its inception in 2011, DMC has grown steadily and now offers a patented line of Storz fittings targeting the emergency services market.
Dutchman Manufacturing Celebrates 10th Anniversary and Expands Facility Capabilities
Traverse City, MI, September 27, 2021 – Dutchman Manufacturing Company, LLC (DMC) is celebrating its 10th anniversary and is expanding its production capacity for machining operations.
Dutchman Manufacturing was founded in August 2011 and began with leasing one 4,608′ sq ft building. In 2012, the first manufacturing machine arrived (Mazak MPX 6300Y). In 2014, a new addition was built, an additional 4,608 sq ft to be used as cold storage. In 2015, a second machine (Mazak MPX 6300 Y) was delivered to meet product demand.
In March 2021, DMC purchased the property of Centurn Machine & Tool, which included two additional buildings. DMC has recently purchased a third machine (Mazak MPX W-300 Y), which will offer the same capability, and add production capacity. The former cold storage addition has been converted to production space, and new power is being brought in to service the entire facility.
“We feel very fortunate that our customers have continually rewarded our efforts with new opportunities,” states Tom Van Fossen, DMC’s Founder. “This loyality has allowed us to grow our facility, increase output, and add additional staff.”
DMC specializes in the mid-to-high volume machining of non-ferrous components for the waterworks industry. Since its inception, it has grown steadily and offers a patent-pending line of Storz fittings targeting the emergency services market.
For more information, visit www.dutchmanmfg.com or call 734-922-5803
Making it in Northern Michigan – DMC Highlighted by Grand Traverse Area Manufacturers Council
Dutchman Manufacturing Company recently doubled its workforce. Since founding the company in 2011, Tom Van Fossen has relied solely on just two very special “employees.” Both of them work tirelessly, accurately and profitably – and without pay…READ FULL ARTICLE
Dutchman Manufacturing Company, LLC (DMC) expanded its production capacity, hiring senior machinists Adam Zeigler to join the robotic machining department and Tom Johnson to oversee its manual machining operations.
Zeigler, a graduate of TBA’s machining program/Glen Lake High School, has over 22 years of CNC machining experience serving various industries from medical to machine tools, including five-axis multitasking machining. Zeigler will oversee the operation and scheduling of DMC’s eight-axis robotic gantry-equipped production cells.
Johnson, who graduated from Benzie High School, has over twelve years of machining experience and shop floor management. His role will include the supervision of the manual machining department and interfacing with DMC’s local customer base. Johnson’s background includes producing machine tool work, including robotic material handling and precision custom-engineered components for the local market.
In a related move, DMC announced the acquisition of the land and buildings on the former site of Centurn Machine & Tool, located on East Traverse Highway in Traverse City. The expansion is the second since DMC was founded in 2011, and provides additional infrastructure and facilities to continue to address the needs of its customers. “We are very fortunate that our customers have continually rewarded our efforts with new opportunities,” states Tom Van Fossen, DMC’s Founder. DMC, which specializes in the mid-to-high volume machining of non-ferrous components for the waterworks industry, has grown steadily since its inception and offers a patent-pending line of Storz fittings targeting the emergency services market.