Wow, talk about antiques. Not the product, but the process and machines involved. Some statistical process control would have helped a great deal, and could have made the difference between still profitable, or being converted to Condos.
Sorry, but I don't really think it's sad that an operation like this was forced to close (although obviously sad for the people who were out of a job due to miss-management). That's what happens when you don't update your product or production facilities for 50 years; rubbish product, rubbish plant, rubbish business case.
@wheely132 well I am the Led buyingist fool that was ever born. I have a couple $55 snap on LED floodlights.The only thing that is not bright about them is the fool who gave 55 bucks for them .lifetime warranty.Instead of going out of business he should make LED's as well as his other good stuff.
Sadly, Hipwell ceased operations in 2005 because they could not compete with lower-price imported flashlights. The design of the metal tube flashlight being demonstrated here dates back to the 1950s, though fairly similar lights were being made as early as the 1940s, possibly earlier. RIP Hipwell; their building is now for sale as a condo conversion project.
It's good, but almost sad to see: this is how conventional flashlights were made eighty and ninety years ago. Is the switch of brass, or is it bronze? We could have a super-quality edge to these lights if their contacts were heavily silver plated, per USA mil-spec of old. They'd never go flunky or dim or "bad" so long as batteries were not allowed to leak. Ancient machinery, working just like it did decases ago. It is sad to see this, the last of low-tech USA manufacturing: doomed.
Some happy looking people there!!!
Jpw2325 2 days ago
2008 and this process is not automated?
"I don't want to live on this planet anymore!"
SubliminalKnowledge 1 month ago
Fred Rogers covered this plant in one of his episodes (picture picture!).
rob99201 2 months ago
Shame the guy showing us how they are made doesnt have a clue about where he works.
SuPrAmAd101 5 months ago
My last name is Hipwell, but i live in Ohio ^_^ :)
abbyrox314 7 months ago
Now the Chinese are operating machines like those for 10 cents an hour. It's hard to compete with competition like that.
jbranstetter04 1 year ago
Seems like an antiquated and inefficient process. I LOVE IT!
guitartec 1 year ago
Sad to hear the business is now closed down , i bet many people spent theif life working in that plant and was very happy working there.
Hollrobb 1 year ago
Wow, talk about antiques. Not the product, but the process and machines involved. Some statistical process control would have helped a great deal, and could have made the difference between still profitable, or being converted to Condos.
otef434 1 year ago
Sorry, but I don't really think it's sad that an operation like this was forced to close (although obviously sad for the people who were out of a job due to miss-management). That's what happens when you don't update your product or production facilities for 50 years; rubbish product, rubbish plant, rubbish business case.
000Ru000 1 year ago
He has some serious competition with the $2.00 LED flashlights.
no1saphead 1 year ago
@no1saphead ya i know what you are talking about but i bet one of those flashlights can outlive those cheap flash lights.
wheely132 1 year ago
@wheely132 well I am the Led buyingist fool that was ever born. I have a couple $55 snap on LED floodlights.The only thing that is not bright about them is the fool who gave 55 bucks for them .lifetime warranty.Instead of going out of business he should make LED's as well as his other good stuff.
no1saphead 1 year ago
its surpizing how interesting it is to see a flashlight being made
rustyjoxz540 2 years ago
I wish I could buy a box-full of these.
clearlyme2u 2 years ago
Sadly, Hipwell ceased operations in 2005 because they could not compete with lower-price imported flashlights. The design of the metal tube flashlight being demonstrated here dates back to the 1950s, though fairly similar lights were being made as early as the 1940s, possibly earlier. RIP Hipwell; their building is now for sale as a condo conversion project.
cjstuff51 2 years ago
It's good, but almost sad to see: this is how conventional flashlights were made eighty and ninety years ago. Is the switch of brass, or is it bronze? We could have a super-quality edge to these lights if their contacts were heavily silver plated, per USA mil-spec of old. They'd never go flunky or dim or "bad" so long as batteries were not allowed to leak. Ancient machinery, working just like it did decases ago. It is sad to see this, the last of low-tech USA manufacturing: doomed.
ReidWelch 2 years ago
all human operations can be replaced by a little more advanced machinery ;) Considering the load of flashlights, it would pay off ...:D
ytmonty 2 years ago
this looks ancient, the chinese can make these for 90 percent cheaper
pinoyz3 2 years ago