Page 42 - PCCAJournal3rdQuarter2011

his year General Machine Products (GMP) is celebrating 75 years of manufacturing and engi-neering excellence as a global provider of a wide range of products for the telecommunications, power utility, and cable television industries. Founded by engineer George M. Pfundt in 1936, GMP’s product applica-tions include the placement of ﬁber optic, copper conductor, and coaxial cable both aerially and underground. GMP aerial cable lashing machines, Adams continuous duty winches, and ﬁber optic cable pullers are accepted as the industry standard. GMP’s 1,100+ product line also includes cable reels and aerial blocks, cable cutters, unique RJ plug pressing tools, ﬁber optic cable blowing equip-ment, and other specially designed tools.

GMP has manufacturing plants in Trevose, Pa., and in Rutland, England (its CBS Products, Ltd. unit). Both facili-ties are equipped with a full complement of technologically advanced machine tools manned by a well-trained team of craftspeople.

GMP started operations in Philadelphia as a specialty machine shop serving the local Bell Telephone company and the area’s electric utility company. GMP expanded to a production shop manufacturing experimental prototypes after forming close relationships with the Western Electric Company and Bell Telephone Laboratories.

For three generations, GMP has continued to develop and reﬁne its product lines and continues its investments in new product R&D, state-of-the-art manufacturing, quality assur-ance, distribution and inventory-control, and physical plant

to maintain its leadership position and ability to anticipate and meet the changing needs of work crews.

“We are proud to have reached this tremendous mile-stone,” said GMP President and CEO William N. Pfundt. “But we won’t stop there. We’re dedicating the next 75 years to improvement on a tradition of reliable support and quality engineered products.”

he new remote debris trap pivots from the rear of Vac-Tron Air Series machines. It collects the dry debris during the potholing process, keeping it separate from the main debris tank. After dry potholing, a worker positions the remote pivot arm over the hole to return dry material—without moving the machine. The main debris tank can be used to collect drill slurry or wet materials without contaminating the dry spoils. Gravity feed materials from remote trap into drums for storage and/ or transportation. The pivot arm also supports remote suction hose for ease of use.