Fast delivery imperative for Reed City Group
Reed City, Mich., (August 3, 2020) – The Reed City Group (Reed City, Mich.) was selected to participate in a fast-track effort to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) in spring 2020. The highly visible project was launched as part of an initiative to unleash the private sector to drive solutions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The company partnered with its vendors to rapidly reorient towards medical molding. Absolute Haitian quickly delivered eight molding machines to get the project rolling. Prior to this, the Reed City Group was primarily engaged in injection molding for automotive applications.
“This initiative took an entire supply chain to react – partners such as materials companies, part designers, cutting tools, equipment, shop layout and material handling equipment – including our own experts. Even our janitorial staff had to rise to provide the needed sanitary regimen. Working together, we accomplished a lot in a short period of time,” said John Barnett, president and chief executive officer.
“I contacted Absolute Haitian and the company responded with the right equipment including helpful financing options. Absolute Haitian delivered seven of the machines in under two weeks. We added the eighth machine about six weeks later,” noted Barnett.
Six ZE electric machines ranging from 44 to 214 U.S. tons and two MA II S servo-hydraulic machines at 225 U.S. tons were shipped from the operations center in Moncks Corner, S.C. to mold 12 different medical parts.
“Our Director of Process Engineering has found these new machines to be much more precise and efficient than what we have been accustomed to, which is exactly what we needed for this special project. These machines are humming.”
The project helped keep the Reed City Group busy even as automotive molding came to a halt. “Our team members were not only able to avoid any significant layoffs or furloughs throughout this pandemic, but we have been in the unique position of growth; our head count is up 40 percent from the beginning of the year,” said Barnett. “We’ve gained molding experience with a new customer in a new market, helping us to diversify our business going forward.
“This particular opportunity has brought the Reed City Group’s team members a sense of pride, patriotism and purpose in taking on this challenge; while providing another opportunity to live out our vision of “Enriching Lives and Chasing Excellence.” Absolute Haitian really understood the gravity of the situation, rose to the occasion and helped us to live that out. That is what we expect of our partners, and they delivered.” Barnett concluded.
About Reed City Group
Reed City Group, LLC is a vertically integrated production injection molder, tool and die maker, and automated equipment manufacturer, serving several different markets. For nearly 60 years, Reed City Group has provided high quality craftsmanship in the areas of mold making and manufacturing of large-scale hydraulic presses. The experienced team has leveraged a reputation of high integrity, customer service and quality to expand its market and capabilities, becoming a reliable partner for a wide range of customers.
About Absolute Haitian
Absolute Haitian, based in Worcester, Massachusetts, is the exclusive sales and service partner in the U.S. and Canada for Haitian International based in Ningbo, China. Ningbo Haitian Machinery Co., Ltd. is the world’s largest supplier of plastics injection molding machinery, shipping more than 32,000 machines in 2019. Haitian products are sold in more than 130 countries with machine sizes ranging from 44 to 7,425 U.S. tons of clamp force. More information is available by visiting the Absolute Haitian website at www.absolutehaitian.com
CONTACT:
Patrice Aylward, Communications Consultant, 216/618-3174 or paylward@absolutehaitian.com
Thomas Miller, Marketing Manager, at 231-832-7500 or tmiller@reedcitygroup.com
