Author Archives: tsnobarger@goshenstamping.com

What is Metal Stamping?

Metal stamping is one of the most popular and widely-used fabrication processes. It has applications across nearly any industry, due to its versatility and the range of operations that it can perform. In this article, we’ll go over exactly what metal stamping is, how it works, and the major types of stamping.

Metal Stamping Tool and Die Image

So what is metal stamping?

At its most basic, metal stamping is a manufacturing process that converts flat metal sheets into specific shapes. Sheet metal in either coil or blank form is placed into a stamping press. The tool and die surface of the press then form the metal into the desired shape.

The design of the part always depends on the tools that are equipped to the press. They are then guided by CAD/CAM technology, a popular software tool that allows engineers and manufacturers to design a part and then guide the press via computer software. This reduces the chance for human error and increases the precision and accuracy of the process.

The operations of metal stamping

Metal stamping covers a wide range of different fabrication techniques. Some of those include, but are not limited to:

  • Blanking
  • Bending
  • Coining
  • Embossing
  • Flanging
  • Punching
  • Piercing

The major types of metal stamping

There are several major types of metal stamping, each with their unique characteristics, benefits, and applications.

Progressive die stamping

Progressive die stamping is a stamping method that includes several different stations, each with their own unique function and tooling. Sheet metal is fed through the stations successively, until they form the completed part. Each station builds on whatever shaping the previous one did, resulting in complex, tight tolerance dimensions.

Progressive stamping has several benefits, including quick turnaround, low labor costs, and short run lengths. It’s also a highly repeatable process, making it incredibly efficient.

Fourslide stamping

Fourslide is a unique stamping process that involves careful horizontal alignment and four different tools (also called slides) which simultaneously operate and shape the workpiece. This results in very intricate cuts and complex shapes. Fourslide stamping is known for its versatility and flexibility for quick design changes.

Deep Draw stamping

Deep draw stamping involves pulling a sheet metal blank into the die through a punch tool. This forms a shape where the depth of the part exceeds its diameter. The deep draw technique is commonly used in automotive components, aircraft parts, and electronic relays.

Custom Metal stamping

Custom stamping is a term that refers to any type of metal stamping that requires custom (non standard) tooling and techniques in order to produce a part. Custom stamping is excellent for high volume production in a wide range of applications and industries.

Looking for a supplier of metal stamping services?

Goshen Stamping, LLC. has been providing medium to high-speed metal stamping services to the RV, automotive, education, and ladder industries for a century. Learn more on our website!

What is Die Maintenance and why is it important?

Die maintenance is an important part of any die stamping operation. This process not only includes repairs and cleaning, but also detailed inspections that will help to maintain the life of the metal stamping die. Maintenance also ensures that the dies are continuing to produce parts that conform to their design, consistently and reliably.

Common die maintenance operations

Die maintenance involves several operations.

Sharpening the cutting sections and punch edges with a grinding wheel maintains their quality and the quality of the work they produce. These parts of the stamping dies tend to wear down over time with regular use, and periodic sharpening can prevent these conditions from affecting their operation.

Shimming, or adding shims to the stations can help the different cutting dies maintain proper timing.

Regular cleaning and die inspection are large parts of maintenance as well. Cleaning gets rid of excess debris and prevents debris buildup, as well as prevents insufficient lubrication. Through consistent inspections, the operators can find loose fasteners that need tightened and check fits, allowances, and clearances of die components. Quality inspectors also look for missing, broken, or degraded parts of the equipment that need to be repaired or replaced.

Why is die maintenance important to you?

Regular die maintenance ensures that the equipment consistently produces parts that conform to your design standards. Without cleaning and sharpening, your parts may not meet the tolerances required, or their dimensions may not be consistently accurate. Regular and attentive maintenance also improves production and overall part quality as well.

Overall, die maintenance is a vital part of any metal stamping shop, ensuring the quality and usability of stamped metal parts for any industry. At Goshen Stamping, routine die maintenance is included in the part price. We do not charge extra to maintain a customer’s die. Should a die require work to extend its life or be revised, Goshen Stamping can quote that work and usually complete it in house.

Looking for a supplier of quality metal stamping services?

Goshen Stamping, LLC. is an ISO 9001 certified supplier of medium to high-speed metal stamping. We provide custom quality metal stampings to industries around the globe, and we work with carbon based steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and a range of other metals. To learn more about how we can serve you, contact us today.

Celebrating over a century of excellence

Goshen Stamping has been providing quality metal stamping services since the company began in 1920. Over a century later, we have grown into a widely-recognized leader in metal stamping services with a facility of 80,000 square feet and a large team of experienced employees providing high-quality products and services to our customers.

The early years

The company was first established in 1920, as a partnership between John H. Yoder and Ervin Kenaga, and was incorporated on April 2, 1923 as Goshen Stamping and Tool Co. The shop came under the direction of John S. Plank, who would lead the company until 1965, who set a foundation of excellence and respect for our employees, customers, and suppliers.

Throughout the 20th Century

In 1965, Mark Yoder became president of Goshen Stamping, and would continue to help the company grow. Eight-four hundred square feet of space was added to the plant in 1973, increasing the overall size to nearly 45,000 square feet in total. Ronald D. Minzey bought the company in 1975 and changed the name to Goshen Stamping Co. Inc. Gerald ‘Jerry’ Trolz joined the company around this time as well, as the administrative vice president. He would later buy the company alongside Bob Havens in 1981, and would lead Goshen for over thirty years.

Goshen Stamping continued to expand in both capabilities and size. In 1990, Jerry Trolz bought the company in full and expanded the office, bringing the total size of the plant to 75,000 sq ft. In 1996, we received the Distinguished Supplier Award from Emerson Electric based on our service, price control, on-time delivery, and the quality of our products and our services. To continue to uphold that level of quality, Goshen’s quality management system received an ISO 9000 certification in 1998. This would later be updated to ISO 9001:2000 in 2003.

The 21st Century to the Present Day

As a new century dawned, Goshen Stamping continued to anchor itself and everything it did firmly in its original foundation of quality and excellence. Thanks to our team’s dedication, we were awarded the Supplier of the Year award in 2007 from Green Bull Ladder Co. (now Werner Ladder) for the tenth consecutive year in recognition of our superior quality, service, and cost containment. We are one of the few companies that has ever been recognized for this award for ten years in a row. In 2016, Goshen Stamping was among the inaugural class to be inducted in to the Indiana Manufacturers Hall of Fame.

In 2016, Goshen Stamping was sold to Eric C. Kus, who continues the tradition of excellence in quality service, supporting its employees with respect, training, and appreciation for the family of employees and its suppliers. We have continued to maintain and update our ISO 9001 certification, and are a leading supplier of metal stampings to the ladder, educational, RV, and agricultural equipment industries.

If you’re in need of a trusted supplier of metal stamping services, then check out our website or contact us today for more information about what Goshen Stamping can do for you.

Ladder Safety Month

Goshen Stamping, LLC is a proud supporter of National Safety Month this March, 2023. As a supplier of critical metal components for manufacturers of ladders across the country, we also promote ladder safety through the production of quality ladder parts. 

National Ladder Safety Month is led by the American Ladder Institute to promote the safe use of ladders, both at home and at work. The ALI is the only approved developer of safety standards for the U.S. ladder production industries. Their goal through National Ladder Safety Month is to decrease the number of ladder-related accidents and increase the frequency of training modules in the workplace for ladder use. And in all of this, the American Ladder Institute seeks to better educate everyone on the proper use of ladders, as well as the proper disposal of old or damaged ladders.

Ladder

National Ladder Safety month is an important, annual event. Here are some of the key statistics from the 2022 event:

  • 12 industry-leading sponsor organizations
  • Nearly 5.5 million National Ladder Safety Month promotional videos impressions
  • Over 1 million impressions on social media
  • 154,344 website visits
  • 621,956 website pageviews

Goshen Stamping, LLC–a global supplier of metal ladder parts

Goshen Stamping is a leading manufacturer of stamped metal parts for most ladders across North America. From side lock spreaders to step braces and much more, our parts make up ladders in homes, businesses, and industrial shops. If there’s a ladder in your home or office, it was most likely made with Goshen’s stamping presses. 

We know how important our parts are to ensuring that ladders meet the ALI’s standards. Goshen is an ISO 9001 certified manufacturer of metal stamped parts, meaning that our quality management system assures that our customers receive defect-free parts. We also perform regular production checks, not just on the parts, but also on the dies and tools to examine them for wear. We also have a large, well-trained staff with centuries of combined experience in metal stamping and quality control. 

The team at Goshen Stamping, LLC is proud to support ladder safety across North America through our dedication to manufacturing accurate parts for ladders and our attention to quality. If you’re looking for an experienced manufacturer of stamped metal parts for ladders, or other applications, then contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you!

Our Capabilities

Goshen Stamping Company

An industry leader in metal stampings across the globe

Goshen Metal Stamping Sidelock Spreader

Goshen Stamping, LLC is a leading supplier of quality metal stampings across the world. We maintain a 95,000 sq. foot facility with a full complement of automatic-fed stamping presses, hand-fed stamping presses, a tool room, an assembly department, and raw material storage. We also maintain good relationships with our raw material vendors and a variety of outside surface treatment suppliers, all of which helps us supply a myriad of industries throughout North America.

Our metal stamping equipment 

Goshen Stamping has a large metal stamping facility comprising two departments. Most of our production comes from 18 automatic-fed presses, with a second department of 11 hand-fed presses and 5 brake presses perfect for secondary operations and projects with lower production volumes.

With over a century of stamping experience, we utilize our team’s exceptional talent and our variety of stamping presses to provide the best solution for our customers’ medium- to high-volume stamping needs. This makes us a great partner for metal stamping across many industries. 

Our metal stamping capabilities are wide-ranging, with:

  • 36 presses ranging from 30 ton OBI’s to a 400 ton SSDC
  • Bed sizes up to 84″ x 48″ with stroke ranges from 2″ to 8″
  • Project volume capabilities from 25,000 pieces to upwards of 2,000,000
  • Metal temper in gauges from 0.010″ to 0.250″. These are guidelines only, and we can go out of this range depending on certain variables of the project, which we would be happy to discuss with you.

We can work with a range of materials:

  • All forms of carbon-based steel
    • HRPO
    • CR
    • Galvanized
    • Draw Quality
  • Aluminum
  • Stainless Steels
  • Copper
  • Brass

In addition, we offer several surface treatments, such as Heat treating, Plating, Painting, and Powder coating to ensure that we deliver finished products to our customers.

And if you aren’t sure which metal would be best for your needs, we would be happy to discuss the best option for you based on your project’s requirements. The team at Goshen Stamping has extensive knowledge in all parts of the fabrication process and can answer any questions you might have.

The benefits of our stamping services

The team at Goshen Stamping has exceptional experience in tooling, tool repair, machine operation, and project management, and together we have devoted ourselves to continuous improvement. That means that we are always looking for ways to make our process more efficient, while never compromising on quality. Our dedicated quality team is compulsive about collecting data and ensuring that each part meets or exceeds our customer’s expectations. 

Looking for a metal stamping expert for your next project?

Goshen Stamping, LLC is an ISO 9001 certified metal stamping company with several decades of combined experience to offer our customers. If you’re looking for someone who can complete intricate, high-speed and high-volume metal stamping projects, then contact us today! You can check out our capabilities, and contact us today with any questions or project ideas that you have. We provide the most value when collaborating with our customers to design tooling and run options to maximize their bottom line.

ISO9001:2015 Quality Standard Surveillance Audit

Goshen Stamping is pleased to announce a successful ISO9001: 2015 quality standard surveillance audit completion.

Following a comprehensive review of the Quality Management System, SAI Global has recommended Goshen Stamping for continued certification to the 2015 revision.

Congratulations to our management team and all of our employees at Goshen Stamping for their commitment to and focus on quality. We are committed to delivering the highest quality products to our customers and ensuring an excellent working experience for our employees.

The Goshen Stamping “Rock”

Goshen Stamping Rocks

Goshen Stamping is a foundationally strong, enviable business nearly 100 years old.  Companies that make it to 100 are among the rarest items on earth.  it is inconceivable that an organization reaches this milestone without a strong foundation of leadership, passion and commitment from its employees.  These people are the foundational rock on which companies like Goshen Stamping rests and deserve special recognition. 

There are many people in the history of Goshen Stamping that are the rocks that support this great business.  The current class of leaders recognize those people and the work over many years they put in to building and maintaining Goshen Stamping.  We take seriously our charge as stewards of the values, hard work and commitment that proceeds us. 

If someone were to listen in to the current leaders, one would hear the word rock used almost daily.  Today, a rock is an important project to be completed within a 90-day window that is critical for the current and future success of Goshen Stamping.  It is just one tool in a complete bag of tools and processes we use to continue the legacy of Goshen Stamping.  The overall process is called EOS and stands for Entrepreneurial Operating System. 

The rocks outside the Goshen Stamping front door represent the company and the people who are the rocks of the company.  They also are reminders of the rocks we create and work on every day and how important it is that we pursue them with the same passion and commitment of our predecessors.  People who have named rocks have made a significant contribution to Goshen Stamping over many years.  The contribution is the kind that has helped shape the past, present and future of Goshen Stamping.  In other words, Goshen Stamping wouldn’t be what it is without these people.

Strong rocks last for hundreds and thousands of years.  We are grateful for the opportunity to install and maintain the rock that greets people entering our front door.  More importantly, we are grateful for, and work for, the people who have earned a named rock, as foundational members of the Goshen Stamping family. 

Jerry Trolz

Jerry Trolz

It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of Jerry Trolz. Jerry worked at Goshen Stamping for 43 years, the last 37 as owner.  We are all grateful for the foundation and core values Jerry built over his time. Outside of Goshen Stamping, Jerry was a passionate golfer. It was that love for the game that led him to buy Bent Oak Golf Course in Elkhart. He was also a generous benefactor to the community. For his philanthropic work, Jerry received the Guy Gunlach award for making a difference in the Elkhart Community and the Goshen Chamber Legacy Award for his 20 years as president of the Goshen Industrial Park.  Jerry generously supported many organizations through his time, talent, and treasure. Goshen Hospital, Kiwanis International, The Salvation Army, The Boys and Girls Club and the American Ladder Institute are just a few.  Jerry left a legacy the few can exceed and will be missed be everyone that knew him at Goshen Stamping.

“Jerry was an extraordinary person. He spent his life in service to others. The people who worked with him at Goshen Stamping received a rare and special gift in knowing him and sharing their lives with him. We miss him.”  – Eric Kus, Owner/CEO of Goshen Stamping

American Ladder Institute mourns the passing of ALI Board Member and former Goshen Stamping president, Jerry Trolz


Born November 27, 1935 in Manchester, Michigan, Gerald “Jerry” Trolz passed away July 19, 2020 in Elkhart, Michigan. Jerry served as the President of Goshen Stamping from 1973-2016 and was an active ALI member. He helped organize the golf tournaments that were held at ALI meetings throughout the 1980s, making lifelong connections with fellow ALI board members and their families.

Keith Liskey, ALI board member and Senior Advisor at Strongwell, said:

“With Jerry, what you saw is what you got. An old-fashioned, intelligent, hard working, honest guy with a very big heart and no hidden agendas.”

Manny DeSantis, ALI board member and President and CEO of Valley Fastener Group, said:

“They don’t make them like him anymore but the one word that best described him to me was ‘class’.”

He will be missed by all of those who knew him at ALI. To read ALI’s full tribute to Jerry, including details on memorial contributions, click here.

The Goshen Stamping Rock

Goshen Stamping Rock
The Goshen Stamping ROCK

Goshen Stamping is a foundationally strong, enviable business nearly 100 years old. Companies that make it to 100 are among the rarest items on earth. It is inconceivable that an organization reaches this milestone without a strong foundation of leadership, passion and commitment from its employees. These people are the foundational rock on which companies like Goshen Stamping rests and deserve special recognition.

There are many people in the history of Goshen Stamping that are the rocks that support this great business. The current class of leaders recognize those people and the work over many years they put in to building and maintaining Goshen Stamping. We take seriously our charge as stewards of the values, hard work and commitment that proceed us.

If someone were to listen in to the current leaders, one would hear the word rock used almost daily. Today, a rock is an important project to be completed within a 90-day window that is critical for the current and future success of Goshen Stamping. It is just one tool in a complete bag of tools and processes we use to continue the legacy of Goshen Stamping. The overall process is called EOS and stands for Entrepreneurial Operating System.

The rocks outside the Goshen Stamping front door represent the company and the people who are the rocks of the company. They also are reminders of the rocks we create and work on every day and how important it is that we pursue them with the same passion and commitment of our predecessors.  People who have named rocks have made a significant contribution to Goshen Stamping over many years. The contribution is the kind that has helped shape the past, present and future of Goshen Stamping. In other words, Goshen Stamping wouldn’t be what it is without these people.

Strong rocks last for hundreds and thousands of years. We are grateful for the opportunity to install and maintain the rock that greets people entering our front door. More importantly, we are grateful for, and work for, the people who have earned a named rock, as foundational members of the Goshen Stamping family.