The Freeman Company has been manufacturing precision-turned and machined parts used in general aviation since the company was founded in 1937. During the 80’s management expanded Freeman’s manufacturing capabilities with the addition of NC/CNC turning, machining and introduced tube swaging and new product lines to included new generation parts and component-subassemblies for flight controls, thrust reversers and airframe structures.
The Company has been in business for 72 years. In the beginning, the company manufactured small-machined standard parts. Today, The Freeman Company has further developed it’s expertise and is certified for the manufacture of “Flight Safety” and “Flight-Critical” parts, components and assemblies for the Aerospace industry. Complex assemblies used in flap and slat drives, “Fixed Wing” and “Rotary Wing” flight control assemblies and Tie Rods/Control Rods for aircraft structures and sub-systems. During the 80’s, the company made a significant investment in capital and company resources to develop the capabilities to become a qualified supplier for these more complex non-standard items for commercial aircraft applications.
Currently, the company’s production, sales, purchasing, material storage, distribution, receiving-shipping and administration are conducted out of an air-conditioned building totaling 28,500 square feet located on 2.5 acres tract of land which allows for future expansion. Total employment is now at 49 personnel with a majority being factory team members working in a rural setting and in a non-union environment. Freeman has a skilled and motivated workforce with an average of 15 years of service and average age of 41 years.
The company offers a broad range of processes, manufacturing and assembly capabilities on product materials that include: nickel based steels, stainless steel alloys, titanium, brass, special alloys and aluminum in tube, bar, sheet, forged and cast shapes. Conventional manufacturing capabilities include: radial drilling, horizontal and vertical milling, large horizontal axis screw machines, turning and tube swaging with subsequent turning to produce very-thin walled tubes. Assembly includes the insertion and roller-staking of bearings into machined components. A large number of new generation NC/CNC Swiss lathe type 4 and 5 axis machines with live tooling have been acquired in the past three years as well as horizontal machining capability. Other supporting type operations include: priming, painting, bake oven, FPI and MPI inspection as well as full lay-out and final inspection capabilities.
Key Personnel History and Responsibilities:
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Jim Ritter has over 40+ years of manufacturing and general management experience in the aerospace, automotive, retail small arms and defense industries. Jim holds both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Idaho. He has 14 years with General Electric’s Aircraft Engine Business Group in line and staff management positions that include Manufacturing, Quality Assurance and Purchasing. Jim also has 6+ years’ experience with several Teledyne aerospace supply and service companies in general management positions. Jim was the CEO of a defense industry company and COO of a retail products company, both of which were subsidiaries of an international corporation. |
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Seth Graves joined The Freeman Company while an undergraduate student at The University of South Dakota with a major in Business Finance. Upon graduation he was hired as the Company’s Finance Manager. He currently has the management responsibilities for all of the Company’s financial activities as well as Human Resources and Information Technologies. Seth finished his MBA Degree at the University of South Dakota in December of 2010. He is overseeing the installation of the next generation MRP system which will further enhance the Company’s capability to communicate “real time” customer – production status via the Company’s website. |
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Mark Rittenhouse joined The Freeman Company in 2002 as the Q.A. Manager. Mark comes to us with over 27 years of experience in the Aerospace, Machine Tool, Automotive and Weapon System business sectors where he has developed and implemented various Quality, ISO, SPC, FEMA and other type systems.He was promoted to the position of General Manager in 2006 with the total responsibility for the efficient and effective conduct of the manufacturing operations. Mark has been instrumental in the negotiations for Long Term “Fixed Price” Agreements for the procurement of material, supplies and services. Presently Mark is acting Q.A. Manager and acting SBU Manager for the Bell Helicopter Strategic Business Unit. |
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Chris Thorkildsen is the Manager of Manufacturing Engineering and joined our company in December of 2001. He comes to Freeman with an extensive background in manufacturing that includes: precision turning and machining, deep-hole drilling, swaging, welding, special processes and assembly and test. Chris’s organization has total responsibility for all product process planning, facilities layout, equipment acquisition, fixture design and build, and all DNC programming. The Engineering organization also has the prime responsibility for the response to customer RFQs, configuration management, specification controls and cost reduction activities. |