Stern Rubber Year in Review
2015 was a big year for Stern Rubber Company, that included a new name, some new customers, a few new pieces of equipment, a handful of awards, a much needed building addition, and most of all a new owner.
As the year rolled over to 2015, so did the name of Stern. Previously known as Stern Manufacturing, in order to reflect their expanded manufacturing capabilities and opportunities, the company realized it was time to focus back in on what they know best, and that is manufacturing rubber products. With this change in production, Stern chose to return to the original company name, Stern Rubber Company. On January 1, 2015, Stern Manufacturing became Stern Rubber Company, and although the name changed, Stern still offers additional manufacturing applications to its wide variety of customers.
Along with this change in the name, Stern also received several awards in 2015. In May, the Stern team headed down to Beaumont Texas to visit American Valve and Hydrant, as well as receive the Supplier of the Year Award for 2014. This award goes to the one supplier that is at the top of each purchasing category. Stern won the award with 100% in quality and 100% in on time delivery. Stern has won this award 11 times including winning it 10 times in a row in a stretch from 2005-2014, and Stern hopes to keep the streak alive again this May. Yet the awards did not stop there for Stern Rubber, the company also received two other awards from Polaris Industries. The first was for superior delivery, this award goes to a company who scores a DDR rating of 99.5% or higher and once again Stern scored 100%. The second award from Polaris was for product quality. Stern received an A in the category, with a PPM rate of 45. These awards prompted a companywide picnic lunch, to thank the team for the fantastic job they had done.
With these awards, 2015 also added some new customers for Stern Rubber. In 2013, Stern started making rubber watch bands for the Detroit based company Shinola, and in 2015 Stern gained the business of Filson watches, a sister company of Shinola. This addition allowed Stern to try some new styles, and expand their horizons in the fine watch industry. Along with gaining work from Filson. Stern also began doing work for Tenere, which is a full service contract manufacturer, that specializes in providing engineering support. The company mainly focuses on sheet metal fabrication, rapid prototyping, plastic injection molding, and machining. Sterns involvement with this company comes on the HP sprout computer and scanner, which is used to take a 3D image of an object resting on the rubber platform made here at Stern.
As Stern continued to gain new customers in 2015, the year also brought a much needed building addition. This new addition spanned 12,000 square feet and added a great deal of space to the already existing building. This new facility allowed for an expanded trimming department, a large warehouse area for off shore shipping and receiving, as well as housing the deflashing department. Along with this added manufacturing space, the addition also included 16 new offices spanning two floors, which allowed for the company to finally house all the employees under one roof, instead of spread out across the Staples location.
With all this change in 2015 the biggest and most recent, is the purchase of Stern Rubber by Zhongli Corporation. The Shanghai based company looks to expand its presence in North America, and with its purchase of Stern Rubber, they plan to begin manufacturing here in the United States. Zhongli primarily focuses on making automotive components including bushings, engine mounts, and transmission mounts. Although Stern has had little experience in the automotive industry, the company is excited to gain the opportunity to expand their manufacturing potential, as well as continue to grow their previous business in custom rubber production.
As 2015 comes to an end Stern Rubber is excited to see what is to come, in the new year. The company looks to once again expand the facility to house new production opportunities brought in by Zhongli, as well as continue to expand their current customer base. Of course, 2016 will be no different in the sense of quality, delivery and customer service, in which Stern strives to keep at the top of its priority list.
From all of us here at Stern Rubber Company, Happy New Year!