The Grinch™ Steals Costly Seconds from Christmas Tree Fastener Installation Time

Fremont Machine and Tool's new hand-held assembly gun secures fasteners with speed and accuracy

FREMONT, NE - June 7, 1999 - Fremont Machine and Tool (FMT) has launched a new product, The Grinch™, a hand-held air gun that automates the process of securing plastic "Christmas tree" fasteners that are used to assemble products in a variety of industries.

When FMT president David Benes walked through a customer's automobile assembly facility a few years ago, he noticed that plant workers were pulling fasteners from a bucket and inserting them with a mallet to install upholstery. The idea for The Grinch™ - and its first application for automating the installation of automotive upholstery - was born.

The Grinch™, patent pending, works like an air gun. The user empties a box of fasteners into a hopper, which files them through a tube into the gun. Pulling a trigger shoots the fasteners in, automating what was once a manual process.

"The benefits are clear. The old method is time and labor intensive, and The Grinch™ shaves off valuable assembly time by doing the job automatically," said Kelly Benes, vice-president of sales and marketing for Fremont Machine and Tool. "Plus you have the added advantage of secure, consistent placements."

Benes added that one of FMT's customers, which is purchasing two guns, estimates from mock timing tests that The Grinch™ will reduce time and, consequently, labor costs. The customer says the guns will pay for themselves within two months by reducing one seat assembly operator per line.

The Grinch™ comes in different models according to fastener size and can be custom-made to suit any size fastener. It can be used wherever automotive manufacturers use Christmas tree fasteners, whether it's for anchoring upholstery, blanket carpet, door panels or fire blankets under a car's hood. The Grinch™ also can be used in other industries, for example to secure furniture upholstery or to assemble toys, appliances or shelving.

The Grinch™ is even smaller and lighter than a typical air nailer, weighing only a few pounds. Its handle is comfortable and the product is balanced for operator's comfort. The Grinch's price is based on tooling charges for fastener customization.
For more information call (402) 533-8003.

Fremont Machine, Inc.
520 South 3rd Avenue
Blair, NE. 68008
Phone: (402) 533-8003

For more information on The Grinch™, please E-Mail us at: grinch@fremontmachine.com