Twisting Metal Blog

On May 13th, 2010 Miller Products Company of Osceola, Iowa received a challenge. The tragic explosion of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig had created a need for hundreds of miles of new oil booms to spread across the Gulf coastline. The manufacturers of oil booms were ramping up production to meet this demand and were turning to their suppliers to produce enough parts. The challenge to Miller Products Company was to design and produce a supply of stainless steel gravity lock spring pins that would not only stand up to ASTM F2438-04 but be ready for delivery on May 20th, just seven short days later. The normal lead time for such an order is four weeks.

Feeling the urgency of the situation and knowing the damage that would be done when oil reached the shoreline, Miller Products employees rolled up their sleeves, dug in and went to work. The engineering office had to come up with a sturdy design(there would be no second chance). Purchasing had to acquire steel, springs, locks, wire and all the other things necessary to begin on the Monday following. Plant employees then went to work clearing machine time to allow for this enormous task. Other customers orders were finished, packed and shipped to allow time and space for the new pin. The office staff kept in constant contact with the oil boom manufacturers while handling the heavier than normal paperwork flow that had been created.

     On May 20th as promised, Miller Products shipped its first order of oil boom pins. The following day they released another shipment as they have done every day since. This Iowa company wishes those affected by the oil spill the very best. Over 900 miles of oil booms will be required to protect the Gulf Coastline and Miller Products will keep up with the demand until the last boom is placed. Whether you are hundreds of miles away or in our back yard Miller Products Company will be there when you need us.