In 2024, we worked to make high quality, custom metal parts for customers across numerous industries, including marine, robotics, electrical, and composites. Now, after our launch year we’d like to share exciting updates from Ward’s Manufacturing.
Expanded Capabilities
In 2024 we transitioned from startup to growth stage, scaling our operations and expanding our customer base. Our new capabilities this past year have allowed us to provide customers with more services and shorter lead times.
- We have invested in cutting-edge CNC machinery, enhancing our precision and production capacity, resulting in faster turnaround times and more complex project capabilities for our customers.
- Our new automated sanding machine reduces deburring time by 75% and creates a uniform machine finish. We have expanded our machining capabilities to include thread cutting, countersinks and counterbores, laser etching, inserts, sand blasting, tumbling, and light assembly.
- Our new quoting software provides faster digital quotes and easy checkout for our customers.
Expanded Talent
Ward’s Manufacturing has seen significant personnel growth this past year. Our team consists of three full-time and three part-time team members. Our success is made possible by combining excellent education with state-of-the-art industry experience. Our backgrounds include mechanical engineering, industrial design, metal fabrication, sales, and business management. We were educated at the University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island School of Design, Columbia University, Northeastern University, and Southern New Hampshire University.
Success Stories
In 2024, Ward’s Manufacturing fulfilled over 500 orders, serving customers in 43 states, and 4 Canadian provinces.
- We made improvements to a customer’s part design which reduced the unit cost by 67%.
- We received a hand-made physical prototype of an electrical panel that a customer needed to be mass produced, but they didn’t have a part file. We designed a drawing from scratch and produced parts identical to the handmade prototype, at scale.
- A niche customer’s machine was down for nearly a year because they couldn’t find a fabricator willing to work with them. Ward’s Manufacturing designed, troubleshot, and fabricated several custom parts that got their machine running again.
- We adapted a local customer’s designs which enabled them to shift from overseas to in-state production.
Featured Projects from 2024
- Boat components
- Robotics components
- Machining equipment components
- Enclosures for sensitive electronics and electronics components
- Custom lighting, signage and art
- Wind energy components
- Sports equipment components
Grants
We were awarded the RI Made grant which provided business assessments and capital to improve our cybersecurity, automation and robotics, and reduce business risks.
Finally, we are grateful to our team of vendors who helped us provide additional fabrication, machining, and finishing services this year. Shout out to American Tool Company, which won the Rhode Island Manufacturing Association’s 2024 Henry D. Sharpe, Jr. Award, for their reliable support and excellent quality.
Thank you as well to Governor Daniel McKee, Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, and Congressman Gabe Amo who all spoke at our launch party and pledged their support.
Looking ahead to 2025, we hope to expand our business and increase and deepen our relationships. If you’d like to keep in touch, stay tuned for our quarterly newsletter.
Thank you,
The Ward’s Manufacturing Team
