Brome is a popular brand of bird feeders used by bird enthusiasts across North America. Brome bird feeders are known for their high quality materials, innovative designs, and durability. Many bird lovers prefer Brome feeders for their backyard bird feeding stations. A common question asked by customers is where are Brome bird feeders manufactured? Knowing where a product is made can help buyers determine the quality and value of the item. In this article, we will explore the history of the Brome bird feeder brand and look at where their popular products are crafted.
A Brief History of Brome Bird Feeders
Brome was founded in the early 1980s by Don Anderson. Based out of Ontario, Canada, Brome aimed to provide bird lovers with feeders made from superior materials that could withstand tough Canadian winters. The company strives to create functional, contemporary designed feeders to enhance backyard bird feeding stations.
Brome’s original Squirrel Buster line revolutionized bird feeding by integrating weight sensitive perches to close access to seed when squirrels or large birds land on the feeder. This innovation solved a major challenge faced by individuals feeding birds – keeping seed away from squirrels and bully birds. The popular Squirrel Buster Classic remains one of Brome’s top selling feeders.
Today, Brome produces an array of feeder styles, seed mixes, and accessories. While incorporating contemporary elements into their designs, functionality remains a priority. Core values of quality, innovation, service and passion guide the company. Brome aims to foster an enjoyment of nature through their products.
Where Are Brome Bird Feeders Manufactured?
Brome bird feeders are proudly manufactured in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. The company uses two facilities in Stratford for the design, molding, assembly, and shipping of their products. Keeping manufacturing based in Canada allows for strict quality control and the ability to oversee each step of the process.
Brome takes great pride in keeping their feeder production local. Manufacturing in Canada enables them to provide jobs and economic growth within their community. It also allows for adaptability and responsiveness when bringing new designs to market or modifying products. Made in Canada feeders is a core component of the Brome mission.
Some key benefits of Brome producing their bird feeders in Canada include:
Close Oversight of Production
With their design and manufacturing facilities within 20 minutes of each other, Brome staff can closely monitor workflow. This allows for swift identification and resolution of any quality issues. Tight oversight ensures each feeder meets company standards.
Local Sourcing of Materials
Brome obtains many materials, like metal and glass components, from Canadian suppliers. This provides ready access to high quality materials and reduces environmental impact through shorter shipping distances.
Ability to Adapt
New technologies or material shortages can halt production for overseas manufacturers. Canada based production allows Brome to rapidly modify designs and materials when needed. This prevents manufacturing delays which could impact availability of products.
Positive Local Economic Impact
Operating their facilities in Canada provides stable employment and growth opportunities. Stratford, Ontario benefits through employment taxes and spending at community businesses. Brome helps support the local economy through their choice to manufacture locally.
Brome’s Manufacturing Process
Producing high volumes of quality bird feeders requires an efficient manufacturing process. Here are some key steps involved in creating Brome’s popular Squirrel Buster line:
Design
The engineering and design team, located in Stratford, creates detailed 3D CAD models of new feeder concepts. Digital rendering enables rapid prototyping and design modifications. Field testing provides insight on how birds respond to the feeder.
Mold Making
Molds for key plastic components like the seed tube, hood, and ports are machined in Stratford. These high quality molds can withstand thousands of production cycles.
Plastic Injection Molding
Brome utilizes plastic injection molding machines to produce main feeder components like ports, hoods, and seed tubes. Raw plastic pellets are gravity fed from overhead hoppers into the molding machines. The pellets are melted and injected under pressure into a mold. They rapidly cool, allowing the component to be ejected.
Metal Fabrication
Squirrel Buster feeders use metal poles and decorative components made via metal fabrication. Canadian suppliers provide the raw steel and aluminum. Brome utilizes computer numeric control (CNC) machines to precision cut and drill the metal elements.
Powder Coating
A powder coat system applies attractive finishes on metal parts. Electrostatically charged dry paint particles are sprayed onto grounded pieces. The parts move through high temperature ovens where the powder melts into a durable coating.
Seed Tube Assembly
The key functional components of the Squirrel Buster are the seed tube, ports, interactive baffles and weight sensitive perch. These are hand assembled by workers using jigs and power tools.
Final Feeder Assembly
The decorative elements like the metal roof and pole are combined with the inner seed tube on the assembly line. Any accessories get installed. Quality control checks ensure proper function.
Packaging & Distribution
Brome has an on-site warehouse to store and distribute their vast inventory of bird feeders and accessories across North America. Computerized order fulfillment allows timely shipping directly to retail partners or consumers.
Quality Control
To maintain their reputation for exceptional quality, Brome has implemented the following quality control measures:
– Multi-point inspections during assembly and finished goods audit prior to stocking
– Random batch testing where feeders are filled with seed and tested for proper function
– Review of customer feedback and returns to identify potential manufacturing issues
– ISO 9001:2015 certified for quality management processes
– Lab testing of materials for optimal performance
– Proprietary manufacturing and inspection checklists for production workers
– Regular maintenance and calibration of molding machines and fabrication equipment
Brome’s Commitment to Innovation
While dedicated to their Canadian manufacturing roots, Brome understands the need for technology innovation to retain market share. Recently, the company invested $1 million into expanding their design facilities and procuring state of the art digital prototyping technology.
This enables their engineers to take conceptual sketches and turn them into ready to manufacture 3D models in hours instead of weeks. Such capabilities help Brome rapidly design and test bold new feeder concepts birding enthusiasts crave.
Some innovative features Brome has pioneered include:
– Counter balanced weight adjustable perches to prevent squirrel access
– Removable seed tubes for easy cleaning
– Powder coated steel poles and decorative elements
– Use of industrial glass for lens tubes to enhance bird viewing
– Interactive ports with flexible rings that allow birds to feed but block debris
– Contemporary hybrid materials like stainless steel mesh and bamboo
Brome considers manufacturing performance as well when assessing innovation opportunities. Applying lean manufacturing techniques has improved productivity. This allows higher output without sacrificing quality controls.
The Future of Brome’s Manufacturing
When asked if manufacturing will remain in Canada long term, Brome’s management team gives an enthusiastic “Yes!”. The company believes their focus on domestic manufacturing gives them a competitive advantage through quality and adaptability. Management sees their local facilities as a core asset enabling them to respond to market expectations.
Brome does recognize that material costs in North America can be higher than overseas. Their commitment to customers, community and performance leads them to keep bird feeder production local. Fortunately, clever engineering and lean manufacturing concepts allow them to control costs.
As long as consumer demand for uniquely styled, well-built bird feeders stays strong, Brome will continue to nurture their manufacturing capabilities. The company has carved out a niche through their high-end products. Focusing on quality over low cost production seems poised to keep Brome’s manufacturing in Canada for the long haul.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Brome bird feeder manufacturing:
Does Brome manufacture all their bird feeders in Canada?
Yes. Brome produces all their feeders and accessories exclusively at two Stratford, Ontario facilities. They do source some components, like glass and hardware, from regional suppliers. But all assembly and manufacturing operations are based in their home province.
Does Brome outsource any manufacturing to other countries?
No. Brome handles 100% of their design, mold making, component manufacturing and final assembly internally across their two Stratford buildings. This gives them maximum control and oversight into the creation of their feeder products.
Where does the raw material used by Brome originate?
Brome uses injection molding machines, CNC fabricating centers and powder coating systems situated in Stratford for making feeder components. Their raw materials consist of:
– Plastic pellets and powder coating materials from regional Canadian chemical suppliers
– Steel, aluminum and hardware components sourced from Southern Ontario fabricators
– Glass tubes for lens models provided by a Quebec glass maker
Keeping material suppliers in close proximity aids product quality and accessibility.
Has Brome ever considered moving production overseas?
While Brome management has evaluated offshore manufacturing periodically, they have decided keeping production in Stratford is best for their brand. The ability to design, mold test and manufacture feeders locally gives Brome an advantage through rapid innovation capabilities and quality control. The cost benefits of outsourcing are overridden by their commitment to domestic production and jobs.
Does Brome sell products other than bird feeders?
Currently, Brome focuses exclusively on bird feeding accessories. This includes bird seed, squirrel deterrents, poles, bird baths and gifts for bird lovers. Keeping a tight collection allows Brome to concentrate on their core competencies around bird feeder engineering and manufacturing.
Where can I buy Brome bird feeders and other products?
Brome feeders are sold through independent bird and garden supply stores across North America. Many trusted online retailers like Amazon also stock popular Brome feeder models. Unique and hard to find Brome products can be purchased directly from their website at bromenature.com.
Conclusion
Brome bird feeders have earned a reputation for quality by being engineered and built in Stratford, Ontario Canada. Instead of outsourcing production overseas, Brome focuses on domestic manufacturing across two local facilities. Keeping design, molds, machines, and assembly based in their home province allows unrivaled oversight into each step of the process. This results in feeders known for contemporary designs, clever innovations and durable materials. While international production can reduce costs, Brome believes the long term performance and brand perception benefits of local manufacturing are greater. For customers seeking quality bird feeders built to last through harsh winters, Brome’s commitment to excellence in Canada sets them apart.