Franklin Precision Castings (FPC) celebrates 40 years of manufacturing precision investment castings. Since 1985, FPC has grown from a supplier of glass mould components into serving the pumps & valves, steel, oil & gas, food processing and defence industries.
Originally known as Franklin Bronze & Alloy Company, FPC holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously operating casting foundry in Pennsylvania. In 1978, John and Bob Barber purchased the business, then focused on nickel sand castings. After a fire destroyed the original plant in 1981, the Barbers, with the support of state and local redevelopment agencies, rebuilt from the ground up, re-equipping the foundry and rehiring their dedicated workforce.
By 1985, FPC made its pivotal shift into investment casting when a mould shop manager sought a supplier capable of delivering glass mould parts in under four weeks. Bob Barber seized the opportunity, leveraging his metallurgical expertise to manufacture nickel guide rings, plungers and baffles. Franklin’s proximity to glass mould shops in Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois and Ohio combined with its ability to deliver quality castings quickly cemented its reputation as a go-to supplier.
Guided by Bob’s entrepreneurial spirit, FPC continually reinvested in its operations adding state-of-the-art equipment, robotics, and in-house tooling and quickly earned a reputation for fast turnaround and high-quality castings.
In 2005, with support from Pennsylvania state and local grants, Franklin took another leap forward with a USD 7 million expansion. This investment included construction of a new building and installation of the first Shell-O-Matic robotic shelling system in the US, later followed by an upgraded second system to further boost capacity and efficiency.
As demand grew, Bob recognised the importance of diversifying beyond the glass industry. He led the company’s expansion into automotive, mining and safety equipment markets, adding a second stainless-steel pouring centre and refining gating systems to produce more complex, higher-performance castings.
In 2014, the company was acquired by Wall Colmonoy Corporation and rebranded in 2024 as Franklin Precision Castings to reflect its expanded capabilities and global market reach.
“We’ve grown from pouring our first investment castings to producing critical parts for industries we never imagined back then,” said Jeff Morgan, Tool Design Technician and 40-year FPC veteran. “What hasn’t changed is the pride we take in what we do.”