Kurt Donates Eight Vises to Workshops for Warriors

Eight new vises were donated by Kurt Manufacturing to Workshops for Warriors, an organization that helps veterans transition into civilian life through training, certification, and placement. The Kurt vises will be used to convert machining center spindles into functioning workstations to train veterans in precision machining operations. “We are ecstatic that Kurt stepped in and saved the day by donating the industry leading Kurt D688 vises”, states Hernán Luis y Prado, president, Workshops for Warriors.

Workshop for Warriors is a San Diego, CA-based, non-profit organization that provides free job training, certification, and placement services to veterans. By using a mixture of accelerated vocational training, National Institute of Machinery Skills (NIMS) and American Welding Society (AWS) certifications coupled with real-world job experience, Workshops for Warriors boasts an impressive 100% placement rate. Veterans that have gone through the program find that the demonstrated competency that they achieve not only increases their confidence and self-respect, but also gets them life-long careers in manufacturing. Workshops for Warriors provides long-term independence and integration into the workforce through classroom experience, practical training, certification, mentorship programs, and placement with Industry leaders.

The eight vises provided by Kurt are D688 Manual models that include eight KPS-6000 Parallel Keepers, eight 360PWS workstops and are matched in heights for use in multiple vise setups. The D688 Vise is the industry standard for precision clamping by producing 7,968 lb clamping force with just 80 lb input torque and distributes this clamping force evenly across the full jaw surface.

 “We really love highlighting companies that support our veterans,” Prado reports. “Particularly American companies that make products in America like Kurt. The veterans were thrilled to see Kurt step up to help them achieve their training goals. Kurt workholding products are the industry standard and we are delighted that Kurt provided our students the highest quality solution available in the market place and chose to engage in our dream of educating America’s Veterans. Our staff and students were floored by their generosity and continued support. With additional funding and more support like that demonstrated by Kurt, we could increase our throughput of certified machinists, welders, fabricators, and machinery repairmen by 800%.”

“Kurt is pleased to share its American made precision workholding technology and products with Workshops for Warriors,” states Steve Kane, global sales and marketing manager, Kurt. “There is an ongoing shortage of skilled machinists in the United States. Our returning veterans are certainly deserving of these good job opportunities. By teaming up with Workshops for Warriors, Kurt enhances returning veterans futures while assisting in an important industry need for more trained workers.”