Stern Rubber Company Builds New Addition

Our long anticipated building addition is almost complete!  We are adding much needed production and warehouse space, as well as new offices.  This addition has been planned for 10+ years, and is finally coming to fruition!
The new production space is going to allow us to take the final step in improving our material flow.  Moving into a portion of the new space is our deflashing and trimming/ inspection departments.
These departments are the last steps in our process, but are currently located in the “middle” of the molding department, as our plant has grown up around them.  This move puts them at the “end” of the process, near shipping.  This new location will also work well with future additions.
The new trimming/ inspection area will be twice as large as their current space, which will allow them to bring in full pallets or Gaylord’s of product, which will improve their efficiency.

The new deflashing area will have more room for staging product, which is what they desperately needed.  We are also doubling the space for our warehouse, shipping and receiving.
The space that is be vacated by deflashing will leave room for two more injection presses.
Several other support departments will also be moving.  Our QA dept. will be moving into the old trimming department.  This will more than double their space, which they desperately need, as we have added additional measurement equipment over the last couple of years.  Once QA moves, the Technical Dept. will move into that area, which will give them additional space.  We will be looking to add staff to both of these departments in the coming year, so they will both be needing more room.

We are also adding office space to get our administrative staff back in one location.  Currently, the Sales and
Customer Service staff are located in our second building down the street.  This means that every time a meeting is held, staff is driving back and forth between buildings.  It will be extremely more efficient to be able to walk across the hall, instead of driving down the street!
The new office is two stories with 2,200 square feet on each floor.  It includes 15 offices plus a reception area, and two large conference rooms.
Can’t wait to move in!

Meet Employee Tom Pickar

Tom Pickar has worked at Stern Rubber Company for 34 years as a molder and rubber miller.
Tom grew up in Verndale and Nimrod, Minnesota on his family’s farm and graduated from Sebeka High School in 1977. Tom learned how to work on cars, trucks and farm equipment from his dad. Tom also found additional mechanic experience from part-time jobs working for other farmers in the area.
Tom also has been in the Minnesota Army National Guard for thirty years. Tom started in the infantry and went into maintenance. He served in operation Iraqi Freedom as Motor Sargent for HHC2/136 Infantry Battalion and 1st Marine expeditionary Force ISP taking care of 140 vehicles at 99% mission capable, served in many convoys and IED patrols while serving in Iraq.  He worked on M1116 UP Armored, Humvees, Bradley’s and M1 Abrams tanks, Tom retired at the rank of Staff Sargent after serving 30 years.
Tom is married to Bernice who is his high school sweet heart and has been married to her for 37 years. They have one son Adam and he too also works here at Stern Rubber Company.  Tom’s hobbies include camping, working on a two cylinder John Deere Tractor and helping friends do farming.  In fact last year while helping a friend chop hay Tom lost three fingers when the chopper clogged with hay. After five months of recovery and physical therapy, Tom returned to work at Stern Rubber Company. Although missing his three fingers on his right hand, Tom managed to learn how work and perform his job functions and has taught himself to work hard through his loss of dexterity.
Tom is proud of his service for our country and still would do anything for our country and the military.
Teamwork is what gets it done at Stern Rubber Company. Meet more people on our team.