A Conversation with Skip Trafford, President, Harrison International
While some view the global economy as a threat, Harrison Steel sees it as a world of opportunity. Skip Trafford, president of Harrison International, a business unit of Harrison Steel, explains how customers benefit from our approach, which combines U.S. technological expertise, in-country oversight and offshore cost advantages.
Q. You have spent 20 years of your professional life overseas. What is your background?
A. I spent the first 12 years of my foundry career in the greater China region, which includes Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, and Viet Nam. I became fluent in the Chinese language and equally important, in their customs and business practices. I then ran a U.S. foundry in Eastern Europe for six years, learning to speak fluent German and making valuable contacts in Hungary, Romania and Turkey. It's a tremendous advantage to have lived and worked overseas, you gain an understanding and respect for the cultures and it's appreciated when you come to the table to do business.
International
Harrison Steel offers customers all of the advantages of international sourcing, with the security of a domestic supplier through our business unit, Harrison International. Using significant in-country foundry experience and in-country management and engineering teams, Harrison International bridges the complexities of doing business offshore simply and seamlessly. Because of our knowledge of languages, government regulations; established import and shipping relationships; combined with extensive operational, technical, sales, and marketing experience in low cost country environments, we are able to provide customers with the desired low cost structure, qualified manufacturing processes, quality, and on-time delivery.
Harrison International covers all aspects of offshore foundry business, including OEM and aftermarket parts and service, leveraging our technology and engineering expertise through strategic alliances with hand-selected, audited offshore foundries in China and Eastern Europe. We source and oversee castings for agriculture, construction, mining, oil and gas, pumps, valves, compressor, heavy truck, and off-road vehicles.
Services
Transparent Project Oversight
Quality Assurance
Pattern Making (wood and aluminum)
Melting
Machining
Testing
Fabrication
Basic Assembly
Painting
Logistics
Materials and Weight Ranges
Medium/Low Alloy Steels
Most Carbon Steels
Our international foundries have a wide range of capabilities, both weight and material. Contact us to discuss your specific project.