Among the parts produced were a large number of stencils and dies, many featuring the Ford logo. The plant was also used to train tool and die apprentices. The work force at Nankin Mills was relatively small, consisting of about sixty production workers.

The apprenticeship at the Nankin Mills plant was a four-year program. The work day of an apprentice was usually 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. and required attending trade school one to two nights per week.

An apprentice's work in the plant required a set number of hours of operation per machine, moving to a new station every couple of weeks. In 1940, the starting pay for apprentices was fifty cents an hour. After successfully completing the apprenticeship program, the worker would receive a journeyman's card and premium pay.

During World War II, Nankin Mills joined in the war effort. Although many of the original workers went off to war, replacements were hired and production continued. Production included stamping plates. and special dies for production of bomber planes.

In 1948, production and workers were relocated to the Waterford plant and the Nankin Mills plant was closed.