strut 1 - [struht] noun,verb: to brace, support or give strength to by means of a ‘strut’ or struts

strut 2 - verb: a strutting walk or proud gait; to walk with pride

strut 3 - anagram: trust
 

John Fairley: In 1995, after 20 years as a business owner in Southwestern Vermont, John joined the management team at K&H Products (Porta-Brace) to help the founder operate his rapidly growing business. John came on board as Director of Operations and over the next 10 years, enjoyed a unique position that can only happen in a small New England manufacturing environment serving a worldwide market. K&H represented socially responsible manufacturing at its best. “It was great fun,” says John. “The people were happy, we put out a quality product, end-users had access to the design process, and when we went to trade shows it was like a reunion with old friends. Those were the golden years.”

After the business sold in 2004, the inevitability of change left John thinking it was time to use his experience to fill a void that had opened in the case market. Digital technology was rapidly transforming the video industry. A small, knowledgeable, agile company willing to stay focused on, and listen to, the particular needs of an expanding industry would be well suited to respond to the new climate. A quality choice needed to be maintained in the marketplace. In the Summer of 2006 John left Porta-Brace and began implementing his vision for the STRUT line of transport cases. It is with great gratitude that John looks back on the people who shared their experience, knowledge and friendship. In particular Bob Howe (K & H Products, founder), Paul Miottke (production manager/inventor), and Grace Jarecke (lead designer), who have all moved on to other phases of their lives.
 

The Barn: Our Design and Marketing team resides in a restored 100-yr- old barn with windows out to a beaver pond and a ridge of white pine and sugar maples. The open floor plan is conducive to good communication and creative exchange. Since we moved our production back to Vermont, the barn has also become our cutting and shipping department. We want you to see where we’ll be when you call. We get asked, “why Vermont?” The fact is we love it here. Watching the birds and wildlife that pass through here keeps us grounded.Last week we had a visit from a Bobcat!



Production: Our production team is now located in Vermont. Making a commitment to local manufacturing came at a high cost, but the benefits have been well worth it. We now have direct and immediate control over production. Improvements and adjustments can be made in the middle of a run if necessary. The potential for custom projects is now a reality.  We benefit directly from the creative input of our co-workers. The high quality achieved is testament to happy and skilled people and the dedication of all involved to responsible employment practices.

Our shipping team does a great job to keep the process rolling for us completing orders on average in 24 to 36 hours.