Perfect Attendance Wins Paycheck Bonus for EBM Employee
Golf Tournament raises funds for Make-A-Wish
EBM Employees Donate $1,000 to North Hoosick Fire Department

EBM machines parts for Bombardier's production in Plattsburgh of state-of-the-art Acela commuter railroad cars. Bombardier manufacturers two Acela cars per day for the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Long Island Railroad and Metro North Railroad, the largest commuter railroad network in the U.S., serving over 500,000 passengers daily.

Bombardier hosted the tour for EBM employees, which was a first for Bombardier, according to Michel Martel, Plattsburgh Purchasing Manager. "This is not something we do every day," Martel said. "Our goal was to give EBM employees a positive look at what we do, and to let them see how their work contributes to our success."

"It was interesting, educational and also a lot of fun," said EBM Sales Manager Ray Farrara. "We've been building parts for Bombardier for many years. We walked through the finished cars and saw how all the critical pieces and parts that EBM makes fits into their production," Farrara said.

Dave Jones, EBM Quality Control Manager was among the 50 employees who toured the Bombardier plant. "It was great for the group to see how all the individual parts that they machine every day, for weeks and weeks, fit together with the parts made by other companies," Jones said. "They are sharp-looking trains," he said, about the Acela cars.

The day-long trip also included a catered luncheon at Bluff Point Country Club, in Plattsburgh, where EBM and Bombardier jointly host an annual charity golf tournament.

EBM also manufactures components for a new generation of high-technology subway cars for the New York City Transit Authority, and is currently manufacturing parts for Amtrak's "American Flyer" rail system, which will provide 150-mph rail service for locations along its "Northeast Corridor" including Albany, Boston, New York City and Washington, DC.

Perfect Attendance Wins Paycheck Bonus for EBM Employee

Forrest Stone hasn't missed a single day of work in the last six years. In fact, he hasn't missed as much as five minutes of work during that time. And his employer, Eagle Bridge Machine & Tool, Inc., has noticed. They've also noticed that the total number of days Stone has been late or absent during the 23 years he has worked at EBM can be counted on the fingers of one hand.

“He's from the old school of work ethics,”said EBM Production Manager Tony Farrara. “You don't often see that kind of commitment to a job among the younger generation of workers.”

Under EBM's Attendance Award Program, Stone has been granted special recognition for 24 consecutive quarters of perfect work attendance, and he was given a generous bonus in his regular pay check. Stone cleans and maintains the tooling equipment and other machinery that EBM utilizes in its production of components for the international railroad manufacturing industry and the after-market automotive parts industry.

The 3rd Annual Mass Transit Plattsburgh Invitational golf tournament at Bluff Point Golf and Country Club raised $1,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast NY. The 80 golfers participating in the tournament were sponsored by northeastern New York companies working in the international mass transit manufacturing industry, including Eagle Bridge Machine & Tool, Inc., Bombardier Transport, Curtis Door Systems, WABCO, ORX, and Cambridge Nicole Industries.

Bombardier employees made a clean sweep of the tournament, winning every division. The Bombardier winners include Best Ball Division: Louis Bouffard and Jean LeBlanc; Scramble Division: Nathalie Fortier, Yvon Martneau, Benoit Ethier and Claudette St. Cyr. Placing second in Best Ball Division: Ralph Carl of Bombardier and Robert Farrara of EBM. Placing second in Scramble Division: Benoit Letorneau and Tom Lyng of Curtis Door Systems, Pierre Generoux of Bombardier, and Dave Jones of EBM.

Tournament sponsors donated the event's proceeds to Make-A-Wish Foundation to support the Foundation's efforts. “Make-A-Wish Foundation furnishes a priceless experience to kids who are seriously ill,” said tournament chairman Ray Farrara, Sales Manager at Eagle Bridge Machine & Tool, Inc., in Eagle Bridge, NY. “Anything we can do to help them in this important endeavor is very gratifying.”

Patricia MacMannis, center, Make-A-Wish Foundation Field Office Coordinator for Clinton, Essex & Franklin, NY Counties, receives a $1,000 check from Ray Farrara, left, EBM Sales Manager, and Robert St. Cyr, Director of Procurement, Bombardier Transport.
Photo by Kaitlin Farrara

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast NY grants the wishes of children living with life-threatening illnesses, according to Bryan LaVigne, executive director. Its goal is to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy, he said. Since 1986, the Northeast Chapter has fulfilled the wishes of more than 415 children. Recent wishes granted in the Plattsburgh area include a first-time meeting with Disney characters, attendance at a NASCAR race, a computer system, and a shopping spree.

“The funds raised from the Mass Transit Invitational golf tournament will help us to fulfill a child's dream,” said LaVigne. “The children and families we serve so much appreciate the community's support.”

Farrara said the group hopes to expand the Mass Transit Plattsburgh Invitational in 2001, to include more sponsors and participants, which will enable the tournament to raise additional funds for a local charitable organization. The 2001 Invitational will be co-chaired by Farrara and Marco Lessard, of WABCO.

For more information regarding the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York, contact Bryan LaVigne, Executive Director, at 518-566-6698. For information about the Mass Transit Plattsburgh Invitational 2001, contact Ray Farrara at EBM, at 518-686-4541, or email to info@eaglebridgemachine.com

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EBM Employees Donate
$1,000 to North Hoosick
Fire Department

Employees at Eagle Bridge Machine & Tool Inc. have donated $1,000 to the North Hoosick, NY, Fire Department, in appreciation for the considerable contribution the volunteer firefighters make to their community. EBM President Robert Farrara presented a check on behalf of the company to Fire Chief Alan Bornt, at EBM's annual company luncheon, held recently at the firehouse banquet hall.

"This contribution was made possible by all of you," Farrara told his employees. "We have experienced success at EBM recently because of the hard work all of you do every day."

Bornt thanked the EBM employees for the gift. "Your donation has allowed us to purchase 11 new folding tables for the banquet hall," Bornt said. The banquet hall is a popular local venue for parties, wedding receptions and teen dances and is an important source of revenue for the fire department. In return, Bornt presented Farrara with a plaque from the fire department, thanking EBM for its generosity and support.

Farrara said that EBM recognizes the importance of supporting volunteer fire departments serving the communities where its employees live. "It is very gratifying to be able to help them carry out their work," he said.