FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — State Rep. R. Lee James visited with staff at Franklin Industries on April 23, where he and his team eagerly toured the entire plant.
[Pictured above: (foreground, L-R) Becky Hedglin, Kim Scott, Lee James, FI Farm Post Supervisor Josh Scarbrough.]
Among the various departments, James and his team visited were the highway post-production, the rolling mill, and the farm post-production department. Leading the tour were COO Don Smith and CEO Nathan Kovalchick. Smith explained that by improving housekeeping, organization and process structure, and by focusing on employee training, new production records had been set without significant capital investment. Representative James noted the impressive level of engagement among all workers, with the supervisors attentive and alert alongside their teams, out on the floor.
James marveled at the efficiency of Franklin Industries’ process, which converts scrap railroad track into a quality product. This process, in turn, generates additional scrap which is then sold to other manufacturers as a raw material used in their processes. Franklin Industries’ efficiency-conscious approach assures that nothing is wasted at any stage, during or after the manufacturing process.
After the tour, Representative James said he carried an increased respect and understanding of the work involved, as he continues to travel throughout the region to see Franklin Industries’ products along with Pennsylvania’s highways and farmers’ fields.