Member Profile: Curtis Screw Company

Curtis Screw Company LLC is marking 100 years in business this year. By coincidence, the Buffalo, New York-based manufacturer is also moving its headquarters to a larger, more modern building. The company recently began relocating most of its operations to a 150,000 square-foot facility in Buffalo, leaving a building that it had occupied since 1908. The move is expected to be complete this fall.

On the weekend of July 9, Curtis Screw dedicated the new headquarters and held a barbecue for employees and their families. The new building, which was constructed in 1991 for another manufacturer, not only gives the company more space, but it has also enabled the manufacturer to streamline production and improve productivity. Additionally, there is an adjoining piece of property that the company can build on when needed.

Curtis Screw Company was founded in 1905 by Frank O. Curtis. The company started out producing a five-spindle screw machine that Mr. Curtis' father had patented. The business gradually changed from producing screw machines to manufacturing parts on those machines.

Through the years, Curtis Screw expanded to become a leading manufacturer of precision machined metal components for a range of industries. While the majority of the company's parts are used in the automotive market, Curtis Screw also produces components for the medical, military, electrical/electronic, appliance and machinery markets.

With annual sales at more than $68 million, Curtis Screw occupies more than 300,000 square-feet of space and has more than 450 employees. In addition to the new Buffalo facility, the company has plants in North Carolina and Connecticut. It has invested heavily in new technology in its drive to stay competitive and to meet the highest quality standards. Curtis Screw is currently certified to ISO 14001 and TS 16949 standards.

"Curtis Screw has evolved into a sought-after source for high-volume, high value-added components and assemblies," says Paul Hojnacki, the sixth president in the company's century-old history. "We are set up for high-volume output of parts and assemblies, yet we're also flexible enough to do smaller runs and prototype work."

According to John Hoskins Jr., business development manager and son of company chairman John T. Hoskins, "We're known for meeting our customers' requirements for precision manufacturing, dependable service, on-time delivery and value. Curtis Screw has survived and thrived by innovating and expanding its capabilities. We attribute our company's success to our highly skilled work force and its commitment to meeting the highest standards of quality and continuous improvement."

A longtime PMPA member, Curtis Screw is involved in many PMPA activities. One area where the company is playing an active role is advocacy. The younger Mr. Hoskins is a member of the PMPA Government Affairs Committee, which works to support legislation that is favorable to the precision machining industry. The committee has visited Washington, D.C. on lobbying trips to present members' concerns to the U.S. Congress and to President Bush's administration.

"Right now, one of the most valuable benefits of PMPA is to help us better communicate with our government," says Mr. Hoskins. "PMPA works closely with other metalworking associations so that, together, we all have a stronger voice." Mr. Hoskins' main concerns are those that are beyond his company's control. "We're confident that we can handle issues that happen inside our plant and within our supply chain. However, we need help with issues that are outside of our control, such as overseas competition and rising healthcare costs."

Mr. Hoskins points out the continuing problems caused by China's failure to adhere to the regulations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). "There are a lot of legislators, both Democrats and Republicans, that have introduced bills and proposals to address the issue. However, the administration and Treasury Department seem to be more interested in satisfying major multi-national corporations that have invested billions of dollars in China."

As Curtis Screw begins its second century in business, the company has grown to serve customers located throughout the world. "We are not afraid of competing with anybody, but we have a difficult time competing with countries that do not follow the rules," Mr. Hoskins says. "One of our goals as a member of the PMPA Government Affairs Committee is to encourage the Bush administration to enforce existing international trade rules and regulations. So far, our trips to Washington have been productive, but there is still more work to do."

Curtis Screw is located at 50 Thielman Drive, Buffalo, New York 14206. Phone: (716) 898-7800. Web site: www.curtisscrew.com.