A Day in the Life at Factory Five

[Dave Smith]

I am always proud of the team here at Factory Five. I do however, sometimes take for granted the fact that we get a lot done in a day. Yesterday it was impossible to notice the scale and pace of the work. I thought to myself, “I should share with folks what happens in a single morning here at Factory Five.” Here’s what was going on yesterday morning.

Three trucks sets new record!

The boys from Stewart Transport arrived yesterday – Steve, Jim, and Don. The thing is each guy brought a different truck! Never before have we loaded THREE semi trucks at once! The guys in production are happy to have some swinging space again as we were getting pretty backed up. Thanks to Steve, Jim, and Don for their great work on behalf of our customers.

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Dave, Jim, Steve, Don, and Nate in front of truck #2.

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Truck #2 (above) and truck #1 (below).

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Jim showed up in the only white trailer left. Graphics soon to be added.

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The warehouse was very full waiting for Stewart trucks.

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Truck #1 begins loading at 9:00 a.m.

[Dave Smith]

New Plotter!

Our best buddy Jeremy Luchini from Luchini Designs scored a deal on some used major-league Hewlett Packard Plotters, and gave us one since he knew we were in the market. Jeremy is building a GTM, and he is always thinking of others! We were about to replace one of our old plotters in Engineering, and the “special delivery” came at the right time! Gotta LOVE the FFR Community!

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Jesper and Jeremy put together the new HP plotter.

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Customer Jimmy B. Mk4 Pick-Up

In the middle of loading Stewart trucks, customer Jimmy B. and his wife showed up from Tennessee to pick up their Mk4 roadster! I gave them a quick tour around and Jimmy asked if he could leave his trailer here overnight while he and his wife went down the Newport, RI. No problem, we got Jimmy’s truck and trailer all parked and put away.

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Factory Five’s Matt, Jim and his wife, and Tony

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Nate Johnson was a busy man on the fork truck, and all smiles now that wheels are in stock!

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[Dave Smith]

Bonneville Record Holding Coupe Arrives from Oregon!

As Nate was finishing up loading Jim’s car, and showing him where he could leave his trailer, the guys were unloading a completed car that was sent here from Oregon. The car is a special one. It is the Factory Five Type 65 Coupe that set the Bonneville Land Speed Record over 200 mph on the Salt Flats back in 2008! The owner Farra S. is letting me “borrow” the car for some upcoming Land Speed races that I want to run in. The car is heart-attack serious, professionally built, and ready to rock! How many people are THAT kind of friend who would loan a guy a 200 mph car for fun?

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Matt clears the way as Jim, Tony, and John push the car into the showroom.

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We’ve had photos of this car on the wall here at Factory Five for years, and now having it parked in the middle of the showroom is a huge honor.

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In addition to all of this going on, the office was fielding a flood of tech calls and parts orders. The Ops crew were busy welding, molding, and working in chassis assembly and packaging.

All just another day in paradise. All just another day at the helm of this amazing company working with the best people and the best customers in the world!

[bil1024]

That coupe is wicked! I saw it on the truck when Steve dropped off my MK III I purchased out of Oregon, thanks again Steve!

[6t8dart]

You made my day! I got a call from Don last night telling me he was on his way and will be here in Irving on Tuesday!

[Gumball]

I knew I should have followed my passion instead of going to law school... sigh......

[R. Button]

It has been thrilling to have watched, over the years, the gradual changes that have allowed FFR to sustain their growth...
From the days of crate shipment resulting in a built a car in a crate account.
From the days of waiting for those white boxes with FFR logo on them of backordered parts – wait I want those days back as it was like Christmas each day to arrive home to a new box on the porch!
From the days of just the Mark I to now the family of and choices for different kinds of vehicles available.
From the days of you only drive your Mark I to and from local car shows to now they are everywhere.
Now, it is a family affair with FFR.

[Racee75]

I also got a call from Don... REALLY looking forward to the weekend now !

[Jazzman]

So how many cars can one semi hold? What was the grand total of cars out the door on this one great day? Congratulations!

[rickyracer]

Congratulations Dave and the whole Factory 5 crew. Who would have thought that an idea would evolve into this. Thanks for keeping us informed and keep up the good work.

[Plebeian]

Dave, when and where are the land speed races? Please keep us updated. I tried talking Farra into taking his Coupe to the Mojave Magnum earlier this year, but it wasn't good timing for him. I hope you get to make some 200 mph passes.

[ThickCobra]

Dave,

Very cool...a day in the life of a FFR employee. I am still relatively new to the forum, but have a 20th on order. I have to say that I'm busting at the seams to get started but will take my time to enjoy the process. I have been working with Tony and Vinny on the order and find them a pleasure to work with. Great crew!

Jay

[6t8dart]

So how many cars can one semi hold? What was the grand total of cars out the door on this one great day? Congratulations!
I asked Don that same question, he says it depends on which cars they are, he has 9 cars on his truck now, but that they can load a maximum of 16 Roadsters on there if they try.

Im guessing they got all of them, if you figure at least 9 cars x 3 trailers = 27 cars. Hopefully within a week a few dozen cars will get to their new homes in garages!

[Avalanche325]

Fun write up Dave.
3 trucks and an owner pickup. Exciting day at FFR.

[PaulProe]

Met Steve as I helped a buddy (Tony Goebel) unload his new MKIV Roadster. Quite a guy and a great ambassador for Stewart and Factory Five. Dave, you've got a great bunch there.

Paul Proefrock

[Raceral]

And I thought my day was long sitting here reading threads all day long.