COMPANY HISTORY
1990 - Storm incorporates as a small start-up operation located
in Dunlap, TN. Storm's only product is cable assemblies using
crimp-style compression lugs on UL specific battery-type cable
(#6 to 4/0). The original name used is Storm Manufacturing Corporation.
1991 - Storm relocates into a 20,000 square foot facility in
Decatur, TN. Total employees - 4
1992 - Storm begins making simple copper inter-cell connectors
for the Stationary Battery industry. These parts are produced
with very old machinery and all plating is provided by outside
vendors.
1993 - Storm begins making harness assemblies for the Construction
and Power Distribution markets. Total employees - 18.
1995 - Storm changes its name to Storm Copper Components Co (assumed
name with state of TN) to better describe our core businesses
- copper busbars and cable assemblies.
1996 - Storm purchases 2nd 20,000 square foot building across
the street from our original facility for a total of 40,000 square
feet. At first, this structure is mainly used as a warehouse with
no expansion plans in the future.
1998 - Storm begins in-house plating operation - bright tin and
tin/lead plating. Telecom surge is just starting.
1999 - 65% sales growth at Storm due to rapid up-turn in Telecom
industry. Storm begins purchasing much needed equipment to meet
capacity requirements. Harness business does not meet profit expectations
so 18-month phase-out period begins.
2000 - 70% growth in sales at Storm from continuing Telecom boom.
Final machinery purchases completed (3rd plating line, 2 high-speed
turrets, press brakes, PEM insertion equipment, etc). Storm is
a 7 day/week, 20 hour/day operation employing 155 people. 10,000
square foot expansion finished on building #2. Storm now has 50,000
square feet of manufacturing space.
2001 - Telecom industry demand weakens severely resulting in
labor force reductions at Storm. Storm embarks on highly successful
Continuous Improvement program to improve cycle times, reduce
WIP and improve efficiencies.
2002 - Sales diversification program continues with many new
customers and industries served. Storm hires Adams Technical Sales
to provide sales coverage in the Northwest United States.
2003 - Sales diversification program gains even more momentum
as many smaller customers are brought on board. Van Gott and Associates
is announced as Storm's Representative in Southern California.
2004 - Storm's new capability brochure arrives from the printers.
To take a look select this link to the
new brochure.
2005 - Copper prices begin an upward trend with a 42% increase in COMEX values. Storm adds Nickel plating in a major plating facility expansion designed to increase part turn-around times. Storm now offers in-house plating with Nickel, Silver, Tin (Bright and Matte) and Lead Alloys.
2006 - Storm invests in several new Machining Centers to expand its tight tolerance manufacturing capabilities. In addition, Storm upgrades its manual punch press machinery to include two 4 station punch presses (can punch 4 different hole diameters without manually changing tools). Copper prices continue their upward trend with a 32% increase.
2007 - Although there are wild swings, copper prices remain relatively flat since the start of the year. Storm opens two on-line stores, the first provides copper bar, sheet, grounding and electrical insulating products and the second provides decorative copper and stainless steel sheet metals. These two stores serve several markets including: Electrical Contractors, Crafts and Metal Distribution. Several major software upgrades begin in Shipping, Order Entry and Customer Management. |
