National Concrete Pipe Week is observed this year from August 14-20 to celebrate the concrete pipe and precast products industry. An initiative of American Concrete Pipe Association, the sole purpose of this week is to make people aware of how concrete pipes, precast units and the ancillary industries related to them positively impact the quality of life of US citizens. During this week long celebration, the contributions of workers, manufacturing plants, and other industries that support concrete pipe producers will be acknowledged.
To understand why this week occurs it is important to list out some ways in which concrete pipes are unique and useful.
Concrete pipes are intrinsically strong. They derive their strength and their robustness from the concrete mix and the production process. They do not rely much on soil traction and thus are used to reinforce structures even in areas where the top soil is loose.
Concrete pipes are capable of handling large volumes of fluids and all types of liquid waste and sewage. Without the arteries of concrete pipes, suitably bolstered with steel, crisscrossing the country the drainage in many of the nation’s most congested areas would be compromised and could result in unseasonal flooding.
With the latest advancements in technology and breakthroughs, there is increased precision of the fabrication process. Computer controlled designs and batch production facilities have eliminated instances of waste and expedited delivery timeline resulting in a more profitable industry.
The National Concrete Pipe Week will showcase these developments and will also put the spotlight on the transporters, the sand and stone providers and the concrete suppliers who make manufacturing and distribution possible.
Universal Polymer is Proud to Support the Concrete Pipe Industry:
At Universal Polymer we are excited to celebrate National Concrete Pipe Week. We support the concrete pipe industry and produce concrete pipe and manhole gaskets from a variety of polymers. All of the concrete pipe and manhole gaskets we manufacture meet ASTM C-443 and/or ASTM C-361 depending on the particular pipe specification. For more information on our capabilities please contact us.
Six Sigma is the information driven methodology through which business stakeholders and employees can work together to optimize all possible processes and activities related to manufacturing. It works by using quick and accurate identification of inefficiencies, and by improvement of domains that are not utilizing raw materials and resources to the best of their capabilities. Carefully developed by great thinkers like Bill Smith, Mikel Harry, Shingo and Taguchi it is a popular manufacturing concept.
The Core Concept of Six Sigma:
The basic goal of Six Sigma is to ensure cooperation and collaboration between the pillars of a business. Employees are trained in the art of using known statistical tools to eliminate waste and redundancy. The leaders ensure that these employees (who hold belts) have access to the data they need to reach their conclusions. The subject matter experts stand by to provide the employees with context assistance to help them understand the results of applying Six Sigma’s statistical framework to the company’s data.
The Advantages of Using Six Sigma:
The first thing that Six Sigma does is it identifies the activities which directly impact production and the indirect processes that can be optimized later. Thus employees and workers find themselves focusing on tasks that automatically contribute to increased output of the manufacturing unit and improved productivity.
Six Sigma is the basis of lean manufacturing. It uncovers resources – both people and raw material which can be diverted from indirect processes and allocated to high priority tasks that have a positive impact on the bottom-line of the company. Through Six Sigma’s ability to spot trends and patterns and manage inventory, instances of over ordering, over production and just in time orders are reduced.
Six Sigma has two frameworks – The Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control which takes existing processes to ‘entitlement’ or perfection and Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, and Verify which ensures that processes that have been optimized are executed without glitches. This two pronged approach increases both market share and ultimate profitability.
Universal Polymer is all set to adopt the Six Sigma methodology in April. With its new task force of yellow belt Six Sigma experts it will follow international players like GE, DuPont, Bank of America and LG on the path of process and quality control to provide better service and pricing to its loyal clients. For more information on our capabilities and Six Sigma process please contact us here.
In 1970 an event was first held to honor the Earth and draw attention and support for environmental protection. This event is known today as Earth Day, and is celebrated around the world on April 22nd. With over 190 countries participating and hosting their own events, it is one of the largest civic observances in the world. In 2016 the global theme for Earth Day is “Trees For The Earth” and the goal is over the next five years to plant 7.8 billion trees which will absorb excess and harmful carbon dioxide from our atmosphere and help to produce more oxygen.
This year on Earth Day over 150 world leaders are at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to sign the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement is an arrangement between the world leaders to minimize greenhouse gases emissions. The goal of the agreement is to reduce global warming and air pollution, and to improve the global climate. The governments signing this agreement agree to reducing emissions, being transparent with the public on how they are doing to meet pollution reduction targets, and to support the efforts to reduce emissions in developing countries. This is the first ever universally adopted, legally binding global climate deal, and is a big step forward in helping to protect the environment.
At Universal Polymer & Rubber we understand the importance of doing our part to help the environment. One way we do that is to recycle our cured and excess rubber. That rubber is ground up and used in other applications including asphalt and playgrounds to limit the harmful environmental effects of rubber. Another way we try to help the environment is by using Six Sigma techniques to cut back on the excess waste we produce. Using Six Sigma helps us improve the quality of our manufacturing process by minimizing the variability of our business and manufacturing processes.
As a manufacturer of rubber molded parts, rubber extruded parts and plastic extruded parts we recognize how important it is to limit pollution and waste that could harm the environment. For more information on our capabilities and our policies to help the environment contact us here.
The automotive industry in America is huge, with more people traveling by car than any other mode of transport. In 2016, automotive sales are growing at the fastest pace since 2000. Most companies are beating their sales expectations and automakers posted a 6.9% sales increase in February, compared with a year earlier. While these numbers are positive, they are not sharing the full story on the state of the American automotive industry.
While sales numbers are up, North American production is only up 4% on the year. Production is being supplemented by imports coming in from Europe and Japan. This hurts the idea that an increase in sales means an increase in the production of vehicles by American automotive companies. Also contributing to the high sales numbers are the large number of SUVs that are being purchased as opposed to smaller sedans. SUVs are hugely profitable for automotive companies compared to smaller sedans. Sales numbers are also up in 2016 due to lower price of gas. As gas prices keep dropping across the nation, automobiles become more affordable for the average American, but this could change if gas prices begin to rise again.
Though the numbers for automobile sales have been positive in 2016, there have also been a few news stories that have the potential to tarnish this good news. Volkswagen is still dealing with the fallout of its diesel emissions scandal, and other diesel car companies are having their emissions numbers scrutinized as well. Testing is becoming stricter as the European Commission works to make sure small diesel car models are not producing more pollution than allowed. Also, Fiat Chrysler is facing a lawsuit from auto dealerships alleging that its U.S. unit was offering money to falsify sales. These stories are contributing to the idea that those American automobile sales may not be as healthy as they look.
As a manufacturer of rubber molded parts, rubber extruded parts and plastic extruded parts, UP&R works with many different industries including the automotive industry. Take a look at our website for all our products and services.
The trucking industry is very important to the American economy as it allows for the easy transport of goods and materials over large distances. To keep these items safe from weather and other environmental hazards, many trucking companies use tarps to cover the load they are hauling in their flatbeds. A quality tarp strap is needed to keep those tarps in place, and UP&R is the place to get those straps.
The GOLDLINE ® strap from UP&R is a must have product for all road fleets. Made in the USA in our Ohio manufacturing facility, the GOLDLINE ® strap is the number one brand of tarp straps for truckers and tarp strap users. Composed of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, this strap has exceptional strength, durability and resistance to environmental factors such as UV radiation and ozone. The straps are available in sizes of 10”, 15”, 21”, 31”, and 41” and made for the transportation, recreational vehicle, and marine industries.
UP&R also offers the SILVERLINE ® brand of tarp straps as an alternative product. These straps are made of natural rubber and are popular in northern areas as well as Canada, because even in frigid conditions they remain flexible. Advantages of these straps include a high initial strength and UV inhibitors, but a shorter life span than GOLDLINE ® straps. The S hooks for both brands are also manufactured in the USA, as UP&R has the single-source, in-house manufacturing capabilities that cannot be matched by any other tarp strap manufacturer.
UP&R offers additional products including rubber tie downs, plastic pipe gaskets, and cast iron coupling gaskets. Capabilities also include the manufacturing of rubber molded parts, rubber extruded parts and plastic extruded parts for the transportation and cargo control market, construction and pipe manufacturers market, and the automotive OE supply chain market. Take a look at our website for all our products and services.
Every year, we at Universal Polymer and Rubber see a downturn in manufacturing activity. With the holidays here, along with cold weather, many manufacturers are slowing down their production. This in turn means that we, too, have to slow our production down to reduce our inventory and lessen our payables. Some of this also comes thanks to the traditional end of the fiscal year, when companies are putting off on ordering more until they have their financial information completed.
While some manufacturers may see a slowing of production at the end of the year manufacturing climate as a bad thing, we see it as an opportunity. It allows us to accomplish a number of tasks such as:
Perform preventative maintenance throughout our plant to reduce the likelihood of problems through our busy times.
Review our yearly performance and develop long-term plans for moving forward.
Work with our staff to find areas where improvements can be made, in processes, as well as equipment being used on a daily basis.
Develop plans for further training of our workers to help them be up to date on the machines and processes.
Take a look at our capital expenditures throughout the previous year, and plan any for the upcoming year.
Take a look at the big picture and make sure that we are moving towards our goals.
By using our down time to develop and grow, we stay ahead of the curve for when manufacturing picks back up at the beginning of the New Year. This allows us to stay on the cutting edge of production, and continue to be a leading company in the area of polymers and rubber products.
It wasn’t long ago when everyone was convinced that all American manufacturing jobs would end up in China permanently. Before China, manufacturing was sent overseas to Japan, and to Taiwan before then. Due to the low cost in these areas, many manufacturers went overseas. New research from the Boston Consulting Group, however, shows that China and the U.S. are now almost equal when it comes to manufacturing costs. That brings up the question, where will manufacturing go next?
Due to rising labor costs and a burgeoning middle class in China, along with higher productivity in the U.S., offshore manufacturing will soon be looking for a new home. According to this article from BusinessWeek, some countries with low manufacturing costs include Indonesia, India, Mexico, and Thailand.
The key here is not just low cost labor, but also access to transportation, political stability, skilled workers, and a solid infrastructure. Some experts believe it is only a matter of time until Africa becomes a player in the manufacturing field, thanks in part to heavy infrastructure investment from China, as seen in this report. Africa is a place of huge potential with many natural resources—we also think it is only a matter of time until manufacturing enters this area.
As is the case with any area, the natural evolution of manufacturing and its effect on the economy forces manufacturers to move around for lower costs. Manufacturing is consistently searching for the next area that is the best place to get parts made. In the end, it is difficult to predict where manufacturing will end up after China, but it is clear that the tide is changing quickly. At Universal Polymer, we hope that America’s manufacturers can take advantage of this dramatic shift and make the U.S. a manufacturing power once again.
At Universal Polymer and Rubber, we are guardedly optimistic about the upcoming New Year. As the company surveys the business landscape for 2014, there are definitely some positive macro-economic trends that point to continued business and growth.
In particular, automotive production is trending upward to a likely production level of 16.5 million. This is great news for our rubber molding and rubber and plastics extrusion operations.
Another trend we are seeing is in new housing starts. Although still at historically low levels, each year over the past several there has been a trend upward. An increase in the construction of new homes is important for our company with our pipe gasket products. New housing requires additional infrastructure for the new and improving neighborhoods where the new homes are being built. This is all good news for the coming year.
In addition, this increase in construction as well as automotive production means that there will be more hauling of large products to and from factories. These require strong strapping equipment to keep products stable during transportation. We see an increase demand for our rubber strapping products such as our tarp straps and rubber tie downs. Moving into the New Year, the company will also continue to look at strategic acquisitions in the Northeast Ohio area.
It is always important to be optimistic for a new calendar year. We remain so and look forward to reporting on our successes throughout 2014. Happy New Year!
Across the world of manufacturing, businesses are beginning to rebound from the recent recession. Manufacturers in a variety of industries are experiencing growth for the first time in years and they are building up for a peak in orders. As there has been a resurgence in manufacturing, we have also seen more support for local customers and for American-made products.
As a company that persevered through the recession, we believe that manufacturers who endured the recession are currently doing it again, by integrating lean manufacturing into their processes, investing in automation and new technologies, and making the right adjustments. We have seen this on a personal note as well.
Our parent company, Cypress, hosts an annual corporate managers’ meeting for all of their companies and staff. Every year, the senior managers meet, make presentations, and discuss various initiatives they have worked on in their business. It is a good opportunity for us to present what we have been working on, see what the other companies are doing, and network within our parent company in order to achieve best practices.
Not only is it exciting for us to be a part of a company that continues to grow, but it is also important for us to share experiences and tips on how to be a successful manufacturer in today’s marketplace as well. We plan on making whatever adjustments necessary to progress in this manufacturing resurgence.
Manufacturers have a lot to do these days. Many have entered new markets as tried-and-true industries have slowed down. Many more are involved in instituting lean manufacturing principles to keep prices competitive while still making a profit. All of this requires skilled personnel, and one of the challenges facing manufacturers across all industries is the shortage of new, skilled workers. That adds another item to the to-do list: getting the next generation interested in pursuing a career in manufacturing.
Part of this effort involves dispelling old notions that the factory is grimy, mindless work. As manufacturing plants have evolved over the past twenty years, machines have gotten more high-tech, and workers more multifaceted. Multitasking has become the norm and as everyone wears more and more hats, there’s a constant element of learning and challenge to every job in the plant.
That challenge is something that many middle school and high school students don’t realize is there. We have to communicate that manufacturing provides a stable, lucrative career with lots of growth potential—but we have to go beyond that message. After all, think back to your own high school days and how much those words—“stability,” “growth potential”—meant to you. We need to speak to students on their level, keeping in mind their priorities and interests. And they love a challenge, they love to compete. From video games, to sports, to working hard to make honor roll every semester, students are constantly working to be better than they were the day before and to reach new heights. If they feel that manufacturing is a dead end job, no wonder they aren’t pursuing it as a career path.
But today manufacturing workers are more like industrial athletes than cogs in an assembly line. Every day they use their brains and their bodies to find better ways of doing things. They work to limit defects and produce more. There’s a sense of learning and refining every single day. And that extends to management roles as well. How many projects did you quote last week? How many were successful? What was the total dollar amount? How can we do better this week? You set up a plan, benchmark it against expected results and take corrective action. No matter what your position in the manufacturing plant, every day is like a game.
And for the first time, everyone is truly playing on the same team. The suggestion boxes of yesterday have been replaced by the group meetings of today. When manufacturers institute lean principles they turn to their workers to figure out the best ways to improve. Today, everyone in the plant has a voice, a voice that’s heard and respected.
We need to let students know that the behaviors and attitudes that have already taken them so far will bring them continued fulfillment and success in the world of manufacturing. They’ll quickly discover the more “practical” benefits of manufacturing for themselves. For now, we simply have to get them on our team.
UP&R also offers the