2019 is nearly here!
While we’re looking forward to the manufacturing year that lies ahead, as an industry leader, we value the importance of an annual review. Will history repeat itself? Will the industry continue in an upward climb, or will we see the backlashes of success from the past few quarters? Only time will tell, but in the meantime, we’ll refresh the 2018 manufacturing highlights that we’ve seen over the past year.
Continuous Room for Acquisitions
One of the most significant capitalist ventures UP&R has run with over the past year (and beyond), is our acquisition strategy. Gasko Fabricated Products based in Medina, Ohio, is a high-volume producer of seals, gaskets, and diaphragms that are made through a process of converting polymer and hybrid materials. Their die-cut products are used throughout marine, automotive, and outdoor power equipment industries for power take-off, transmission, engine management, and fuel delivery systems.
This was our fifth overall acquisition, and third in the last four years; our business decisions have catapulted us into a leading industry player. At UPR, we continuously seek out manufacturers that we can partner with to expand our reach and better serve our customers.
2018 Tariffs & An Economic Shift
Some of the greatest challenges our industry faced this year were the tariffs that President Trump put on a range of goods – top-tier manufacturing products including steel and aluminum. With a far-reaching impact on many manufacturing industries, this was a significant shift for virtually all industrial businesses nationwide. As these tariffs go into effect, American manufacturers will begin to change their suppliers, processes, and pricing to accommodate for the economic shifts.
Thank You to Our Valued Customers
Based in Middlefield, Ohio, our company has been a premier custom manufacturer of polymer extrusions and moldings since our founding in 1970. We offer an assortment of compression moldings, transfer moldings, and injection moldings to meet the needs of our diverse customer base. Serving a broad number of markets, including transportation, cargo control, construction, pipe manufacturing, automotive OE supply chain (Tier II & III), we pride ourselves on our customer focus.
Before we rush into 2019, we want to wish our loyal customers a warm and happy holiday season and a healthy new year. Don’t forget to follow us on our blog, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and for more information on our products and services, contact us today.
