Winter of 2010 Midland Creativity Contest

The winner of the 2010 Midland Creativity Challenge is the Cormark Engineering Department.

The premise of the contest was to invite the industry to challenge our sophisticated CNC equipment with their most creative design and to have a little fun. The Cormark Engineering Department answered the call. See below for their entry – a 100% recyclable Christmas tree. The elements of the Christmas tree demonstrate our various production capabilities – tree (laser and press brake), trunk (tube laser), and ornaments (wire forming).







At Cormark’s request, we will be making a $ 1,000 donation to the American Cancer Society. This will be an annual event at the close of every year. Check our blog periodically for details of the next challenge.

Simply the Best

This month, we unveiled an exciting addition to our state of the art CNC laser center. The second laser more than doubles the capacity of our system. Now, the two lasers and a material handling system can operate “lights out” – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.



Our system matches the productive capabilities of the most sophisticated manufacturers in this country. In our industry, our lead over the competition is dramatic – we are simply bigger and better than next best option. Continuing investment in technology gives Midland an even stronger capability to provide the outstanding quality, solid delivery, and competitive pricing you have come to expect from Midland Metal Products. Stay tuned for our next exciting announcement right around the corner.

Plant Tour Video

Occasionally we will share a short Plant Tour Video to demonstrate our capabilities and show just how things work. Our first video shows our Mig Welding Department.

Blizzard of 2011

With the "Blizzard of 2011" behind us, we would like to express our sincere thanks for your continued patience. We greatly value your business, and are committed to addressing your concerns.

In addition to the challenges brought on by the massive snowfall, Midland Metal Products lost electrical service during the night of the blizzard, which was not restored until last night.

Midland Metal Products took the weather forecasters warnings very seriously, and we executed an action plan well before the storm hit. We extended production shifts and made huge headway on our task load. We alerted our vendors to our requirements, taking delivery of necessary materials in advance. We made sure our staff had a chance to make it home safely, so they could return to the operation rested, healthy, and ready for action!

We are responding promptly, and urgently to these conditions, and have continued the extended shift schedule to minimize production delays.

If you currently have a project with us, we can provide information as to the status of your order. If not, please be assured that Midland Metal Products is operating at 100-percent capacity, and is ready and willing to accept your project.

Thanks again,

The entire Midland Metal Products Family

2010 Midland Creativity Challenge

Looking to apply your knowledge to a new and exciting pursuit?

The idea of engineering an innovative way to merchandise the latest fad doesn't light your fire anymore?

Let's shake it up a little and create our own fun!

Midland Metal Products is thrilled to announce the 2010 Midland Creativity Challenge.

We are looking for the most creative people in the industry to challenge our sophisticated CNC equipment and experienced engineers.

All ideas must be submitted via a Solidworks or IGES 3D model.

We will allow you to use 24" inches of 1" round tubing, a 24" x 24" piece of 18 gauge sheet metal, and 24" of 3 gauge wire(.243" diameter.)

Processes that can be utilized are laser cutting (sheet metal and tube), spot welding, wire forming, mig/tig welding, and powder coating.

Using these materials, we challenge you to create an innovative and fun item. Let your minds wander.

All submissions must be received by December 3rd. Submit your questions and models to creativity@midlandmetalproducts.com

We will judge all the submissions giving equal weight to form and function.

Only original ideas should be submitted.

We will select, based on our judgment, the top 3 submissions and post them to our web site.

Our sample shop will also fabricate each of the top 3 submissions.

We will allow everyone at this point to vote on their favorite between December 7th and 17th.

The item receiving the most votes of the three wins the 2010 Midland Creativity Challenge.

The winner of the 2010 Midland Creativity Challenge will win $1,000.00. The winner will be announced on December 22nd.

Hint: Spot welding, or mig welding are the common methods used to assemble individual pieces. There are other ways to "lock" your pieces together. Unique assembly will demonstrate your creativity.

Hint: Remember, our tube laser can miter, cut, notch, slot your tube. Anything you can imagine.

Be part of the excitement and enter your submission today. Pass this challenge on to others that you know that might come up with something fantastic. Click on this link later in the week for detailed contest rules.

Holiday Schedule

Midland will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on November 25th and November 26th.

Midland will be closed for the holidays, physical inventory, and plant maintenance from December 22nd through December 31st.

Second Laser to Deliver in December

Midland continues to invest in its productive capacity in order to better serve our growing customer base. We will take delivery of our second flat laser machine in December. This laser will be installed right next to the current laser machine and our existing material handling system will service both machines. This expansion will more than double our capacity for lights on and lights off manufacturing due to some technical advancements of the new machine. In an era of compressed lead-times it is important for our primary operations to start as quickly as possible. The addition of the new laser will continue to improve our quick lead times and stellar on-time performance metric. Look for new videos of the dual system in the January blog.