With 2017 right around the corner, those of us here at Stern like to look back and reflect on all the things that 2016 had to offer our company.  From awards and certifications, to new customers and even some more expansions to our facilities, it was yet another great year here at Stern Rubber.
The ending of 2016, marks the first full calendar year of Stern Rubber since its acquisition by Zhongli Corporation.  This led to Stern working hard to receive a new TS 16949:2009 certification, which is needed in order to begin doing business in the automotive industry.  Along with the new certification, we were also able to renew our ISO 9001:2008 certification, which allows us to continue our normal operations at both of our facilities.  Along with our ability to receive and renew our certifications, our team here at Stern also received the Platinum Status Award from Arctic Cat for our great job in quality, on time delivery, and customer service.
Along with our new certifications and awards, both Stern facilities also got some improvements and expansions.  After a large addition to the Staples facility in 2015, improvements at the main plant did not stop.  2016 brought a new training room, which features some great technology, and is capable of holding nearly all of our employees at one time, which allows us to speed up the training process while making sure everyone is able to retain the same information.  Along with the new training room, we also renovated the old main offices into a new employee lunch room.  This new space allowed for more natural lighting and a cleaner, more updated environment for our employees to enjoy their lunch break.  Although the continued improvement at the Staples facility was a nice addition, the biggest expansion in 2016 occurred at our Aitkin facility.  In mid-June, our company approved a 1.26 million dollar building addition, that would expand the current facility from 10,000 to 20,000 square feet, and allow for us to expand our already established gate valve production, for customers such as American Valve and Hydrant and Waterous Co.
With these improvements to our facilities, and our awards and certifications, 2016 also brought several new customers to our team here at Stern.  We were excited to earn the business of all of these new customers, beginning with Innovative Injection Technologies Inc, in which we began making a seal for that attaches to a sub assembly before being sent to another one of our customers, Arctic Cat.  Along with this addition, Stern also welcomed Bre & Co. in 2016, with a new project that added to our already established watch band production, which continues to grow, as we add new styles, colors and customers.  DXP Enterprises is another new customer for 2016, for whom we began producing a large seal, that goes to a Pfizer plant.  Along with these three, GA Industries also became a customer, for who we have the opportunity to produce a solid rubber ball that is part of a plumbing check valve.
As 2016 comes to an end, Stern Rubber is excited to see what is to come in the new year. As with every year, we look forward to new production opportunities, as well as continuing to expand our customer base. Of course 2017 will be no different in the since of quality, delivery and customer service in which we strives to keep at the top of our priority list.

Happy New Year from all of us here at Stern Rubber!