Jefferson Rubber

Jefferson Rubber Achieves Safety Milestone

Jefferson Rubber — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 18:25:13 +0000

Worcester, MA – Jefferson Rubber, a custom rubber molding manufacturer, is celebrating the achievement of going 20 months with no lost time and 17 months without any ‘Lost-Time-Incidents’ (LTI), in which a contractor or employee is forced to take time off work due to an accident.

The rubber molding supplier achieved the milestone by conducting safety workshops, correcting potential hazards and emphasis on leadership and proactive reporting. The company achieved the safety record while increasing production and sales levels and adding new employees over the last year.

“Safety is a top priority”, said Company President Dave Pentland. “Achieving this safety record is a testament to our employees and management as they continue to extend their abilities to work safely while achieving production goals,” Pentland said. “It has been very satisfying to increase sales in this demanding market while reaching new safety milestones. We expect to see that trend continue into next year.”

About Jefferson Rubber Works, Inc.

Jefferson Rubber Works is a leading manufacturer of high precision, custom injection, rubber molding products and has been for over thirty years. Jefferson Rubber’s staff brings a broad spectrum of expertise and insight to every job. The company offers complete in-plant engineering services, from prototype design to finished product. For more information call 508-791-3600 or visit the Jefferson Rubber Works website: www.jeffersonrubber.com.

Jefferson Rubber Named Supplier of the Year by Ruff Dawg

Jefferson Rubber — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 17:44:21 +0000

Jefferson Rubber has received the “Supplier of the Year” award from premium dog toy supplier Ruff Dawg. The award recognizes Jefferson Rubber for extraordinary vendor performance in 2011.

“We are honored to receive this annual award from Ruff Dawg ,” said David Pentland, Jefferson Rubber President.. “We value our relationship with Ruff Dawg and appreciate the opportunity to provide products to meet the company’s growing requirements.”

According to Ruff Dawg , Jefferson demonstrated a continuing sense of urgency to meet stringent delivery requirements, solve problems, provide engineering support and meet the company’s growth objectives.

“Jefferson has performed with outstanding quality, timely delivery and excellent support,” said Jerry Moffett , National Accounts Manager. “They continue to meet our growing demand and expanded product line of premium dog toys, he said.”

About Jefferson Rubber

Jefferson Rubber Works was incorporated in June, 1975, to provide a source of high precision, cost efficient rubber molded parts for large volume rubber consumers. Jefferson produces custom rubber molded parts for the Automotive, Medical, Consumer, Government and OEM markets.

About Ruff Dawg

Ruff Dawg is a supplier of premium rubber dog toys. Whether you have a sheltie or a shepherd, a boxer or a bichon-frise, Ruff Dawg designs and distributes rubber retrieving toys across the United States and are available though all major pet stores and Internet retailers. For mor einfo visit www.ruffdawg.com

WBJ Article

Jefferson Rubber — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 16:34:00 +0000

The following appeared in the April 16 edition of the Worcester Business Journal. Original article can be viewed here:

http://www.wbjournal.com/news51115.html

Rethinking Global Investments

By Livia Gershon

Worcester Business Journal Staff Writer

Lutco Inc. in Worcester makes bearings and other small machines parts—precisely crafted little pieces of metal that can be shipped from one country to another fairly easily. So Lutco’s president, John Stowe, is acutely aware of trends that determine whether customers buy from his company or from its counterparts in China.

Lately, a number of factors about buying from China have been moving in Lutco’s favor.

“Lead times have jumped way out to 180 days or more,” Stowe said.

That’s because many Chinese plants are overworked, making products to supply the domestic market in that country, he said. And government policies to limit pollution may keep casting companies operating only five days a week instead of seven, further stretching production times. Then there’s the time involved in shipping products around the world.

Stowe said that these days, even after waiting half a year, some machine makers find their parts don’t come in as scheduled. Then, they have to shut down their production lines, perhaps paying employees for hours that they can’t work, and sometimes even finding a domestic source to fill the gap at the last minute.

Price Of Chinese Goods Rising

At the same time, Stowe said, the price of goods from China is rising compared to the stuff he makes. That’s a product of a few factors, including domestic demand, the cheap dollar and the rising cost of fuel for shipping.

“There’s a myriad of things,” he said.

Some buyers may look to Mexico as an alternative to China, Stowe said, but the United States’ immediate southern neighbor has its own problems with limited production capacity and security concerns.

Stowe said the rising competitiveness of Lutco’s products is one contributing factor that helped the company grow 28 percent last year and 30 percent so far this year, making this the busiest time in the company’s history.

Revisiting China Production

Jack Healy, director of the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership in Worcester, said many companies seem to be rethinking the idea of producing products in China to ship to the U.S. Some are put off by rising costs related to fuel and other factors, but others may be realizing they made a mistake in the first place, Healy said. With most U.S. companies focused on lean manufacturing techniques and just-in-time models, buying from local sources often makes more sense. In some cases, Healy said, business leaders tell him that their boards of directors demanded they source products from China just because it seemed like what everyone was doing.

“What happened, very candidly, a lot of people did things without thinking,” Healy said. “Now they’re starting to understand they’re not getting the quality.”

Focus On Quality

Quality is the way many Central Massachusetts companies try to differentiate themselves from Chinese competitors.

Athol toolmaker L.S. Starrett has manufactured products internationally since the 1950s, according to President and CEO Douglas Starrett, but it’s done to mainly to serve international markets, not to ship tools back to the U.S. He doesn’t worry much about international competitors because the company differentiates itself through high-quality products and a well-known brand name.

“We’ve always been a premium-price product,” he said.” I think we’re recognized for that.”

Mark Furman, owner of R. Murphy Co. Inc., an Ayer company that makes knives for industrial and consumer markets, has seen Chinese prices rising 25 percent in the past year or so, making his knives relatively more affordable. But he said the company competes mainly on quality. The one market that’s been impossible to break into is the restaurant business, he said. That’s because most restaurants get their knives from “knife sharpening” services that collect the tools at the end of the week. But he said they don’t really sharpen them —they replace them.

“They’re buying Chinese knives for $4, so it doesn’t even pay to sharpen them,” he said. “They’re disposable.”

More Customers Look To U.S.

Dave Pentland, owner of Jefferson Rubber in Worcester, said his company competes with China in its line of dog toys. He said Jefferson’s toys might cost $11 to $14 each, compared with a Chinese product that’s $6 or $8. But he said the higher quality of his products makes them competitive. And he said he sees more customers seeking out American-made products than he did a year ago. In fact, he thinks that’s a bigger contributor to his sales than rising Chinese prices.

“For a part you might buy for 10 cents, it might be 11 cents now,” he said. “It’s not that much of a big deal. I would probably say more of it has to do with the mentality of people wanting to buy stuff that’s made in the USA.”

Still, no manufacturer imagines a world where production isn’t global. Even Pentland buys some materials from China. Furman is looking at adding new sales capacity in Canada to chase the paper market, which has largely moved north, and which has a need for cutting tools. And Starrett said it’s clear that demand is rising faster outside the U.S., making its operations in China and Brazil more of a growth area than those in the U.S.

As for Stowe, he says Lutco’s enormous growth has a lot to do with the fact that the company makes parts that end up in agricultural equipment. His customers are shipping farming machinery to Brazil, the Ukraine and China, where rising middle classes are pushing farmers to grow feed to accommodate their growing taste for meat.

JRW Develops Chlorobutyl Skin to Enhance Safety in Gas Masks

Jefferson Rubber — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 23:08:52 +0000

According to the United Nations Resolution 687, issued in 1991, chemical weapons are considered weapons of mass destruction. Following the terrorists attacks of September 11, 2001, there has been heightened awareness of the threat of a possible chemical and biological attack. In fact, the Department of Homeland Security considers at least 10 countries to have or to be in the process of developing a biological warfare capability. Specialized equipment or advanced technology is not required for the development of biological warfare agents, according to the Department.

The United States Department of Defense is committed to being fully prepared in the event of a chemical or biological attack, as stated in its annual report to Congress. An essential element in achieving this goal is equipment that protects soldiers in such hostile environments. A crucial component of this protective equipment is a reliable, safe mask.

The Challenge: Developing a Mask To Ensure The Safety of Soldiers

Until recently, chemical warfare masks have proven ineffective in offering safety against a variety of agents and gasses that may be used during a terror attack or on the battlefield. Chemical weapons include nerve agents such as mustard gas, which pose significant risk of serious injury or death by asphyxiation. Once inhaled, these agents directly attack the respiratory system and can be fatal. Disrupting the mechanism by which nerves transfer messages to the organs, agents block the enzyme that normally relaxes the activity of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter. Any small exposure puts the soldier at great risk.

The United States government has recorded defects with protective masks such as leaks or a poor fit between the mask and the user’s face. The material used in the masks’ seals showed a low resistance to chemical, nerve, and biological agents, with mask failures occurring after three hours of exposure. In a study featuring firefighters training for the occurrence of a terrorist attack, the sarin and mustard gas released penetrated every mask but one.

The Solution: Introduction of Chlorobutyl – Second Skin for Mask

Jefferson Rubber Works and America Technologies Corporation (ATC) worked closely together to develop an alternative to the existing flawed masks being used by the U.S. military. Jefferson Rubber’s highly skilled team of engineers developed a new compound, using Chlorobutyl, which they used to form a custom-injected second skin molded to specifically suit the application. This new compound works as a sealant that overcomes the prior masks’ permeability.

Chlorobutyl is a rubber compound produced by reacting chlorine with butyl rubber. Its improvements over standard rubber are extensive, including a higher tolerance to heat, great resistance to flex-fatigue, and good adhesion. It is also nearly impermeable to hazardous chemical and biological agents over a prolonged period of time. As a result, masks using Chlorobutyl provide greater protection against penetration of hazardous chemical agents, proving to be ideally suited for the military’s needs.

Results: Improved Safety for Soldiers in the Field

Immediately following Jefferson Rubber’s and ATC’s release of the Chlorobutyl “second skin”, significant improvements were recorded. Resistance against exposure to chemical, nerve and biological agents doubled since Jefferson’s and ATC’s new development of the custom-injected second skin. Today, nearly all of the protective masks issued by the United States military include Jefferson Rubber’s Chlorobutyl second skin.

Jefferson’s and ATC’s new development not only enhanced the overall effectiveness of the mask, but more importantly, ensured the safety of soldiers, whether on the battlefield or when responding to terrorist attacks.

JRW Offers Rubber Boots for Off-Road Vehicles

Jefferson Rubber — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 23:06:32 +0000

Guards against dust and maintains lubrication of Heavy Equipment joints

Worcester, MA – Jefferson Rubber Works, Inc. (JRW), a leading manufacturer and provider of custom-engineered, injection-molded rubber solutions, offers protective dust boot covers for off-road vehicles. For over 30 years, JRW has designed and manufactured rubber protective boots for Constant Velocity (CV) Joints used in large off-road construction vehicles and heavy equipment.

The CV Joint in off-road equipment provides consistent drive shaft speeds regardless of the operating angle of the joint, and requires proper lubrication to maintain functionality. Jefferson’s rubber boots have proven exceedingly effective at maintaining the necessary volume of grease to keep the joint lubricated while protecting against dirt and water in an off-road environment, where dust makes the joint more susceptible to failure.

Using only the most durable synthetic rubber, JRW has ensured a longer operating life for CV joints in heavy construction equipment and off-road vehicles. Now with free-prototyping, Jefferson Rubber is the market standard for custom-injected molded rubber solutions. Jefferson’s continued commitment to quality products is rivaled only by the company’s devotion to customer needs.

JRW Offers Custom Injection-Molded Rubber Solutions

Jefferson Rubber — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 22:53:50 +0000

Capabilities for Government & Military Agencies

Shown above: A close out for a Cadillac side window, A second skin for military gas masks, Boots and grommets for wire harness and cable assemblies, Launch plug for a Sidewinder missile.

Worcester, MA – Jefferson Rubber Works, Inc. (JRW), a leading manufacturer and provider of custom engineered injection-molded rubber solutions, announces their expanded capabilities for government and military applications.

JRW’s custom injection molding process and state-of-the-art technology enable them to produce custom molded rubber products with greater speed and efficiency than conventional rubber molding equipment. Utilizing superior engineering, JRW has the ability to work with government agencies to design and craft customized solutions to meet the most difficult specifications. With unparalleled accuracy, JRW provides a free prototyping service for customers in need of rubber solutions.

JRW, an industry innovator, has been providing advanced rubber solutions to the government for more than 30 years. Cutting edge technological innovations, such as their rubber shields for gas masks that aid in protecting against various chemical and biological agents, have been and continue to be the trademark of Jefferson Rubber.

JRW Offers Custom Injection-Molded Rubber Solutions

Jefferson Rubber — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 22:52:25 +0000

Specializes in convoluted boots/bellows for accelerator, brake and transmission cables

With their ability to meet the most difficult specifications, JRW specializes in the manufacture of convoluted boots/bellows for accelerator cables, brake cables, and transmission cables. JRW has brought their unparalled accuracy to many other automotive applications, including: head and tail lamp seals, boots, grommets, and vent tubes for Chrysler Cirrus and Stratus; door switch boots for Ford and GM gas tanks and courtesy lights; airtight, watertight window seals for Cadillac, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile; and wiring harness grommets for Honda and Toyota.

By employing applicable plastic technology to replace aging compression and transfer molding methods, JRW is able to reduce costs and produce superior solutions to meet the needs of automotive companies. JRW also provides free material and manufacturing design assistance for their application.

JRW is QS9000 certified (a higher certification designation than is required), utilizes EDI for accurate and efficient order processing, and offers both JIT and Kan Ban delivery methods.

JRW Offers Custom Injection-Molded Rubber Solutions

Jefferson Rubber — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 22:51:48 +0000

Capabilities for Market-Wide OEM’s

Worcester, MA – Jefferson Rubber Works, Inc. (JRW), a leading manufacturer and provider of custom engineered injection-molded rubber solutions, offers a full range of engineering and design services to assist with part design and material selection for optimum production in a variety of OEM applications. Offering free design review tooling, Jefferson Rubber Works services a wide array of markets, including automotive, appliance, medical, government, public utility, construction, hydronics and industrial.

JRW is a custom injection molding operation serving the industry with high volume precision parts in all types of elastomers. In addition to providing engineering and design services, Jefferson Rubber offers extensive developmental prototyping and testing to ensure optimum customer satisfaction. A wide range of secondary, finishing and assembly operations are also available on site. JRW-s in-depth knowledge of thermoset elastomers, has allowed it to evolve into a leading OEM provider of rubber molded solutions.

Additionally, JRW utilizes real time SPC monitoring systems on all of its molding equipment to ensure that the highest quality parts are produced. Having served industry giants in each of the aforementioned markets, JRW has maintained a stellar reputation by meeting on-time requirements while conforming to strict industry specifications.

Jefferson’s continued commitment to quality products is rivaled only by the devotion to customer needs synonymous with American manufacturing.

JRW Offers Custom Injection-Molded Rubber Solutions

Jefferson Rubber — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 22:50:57 +0000

Capabilities for the Water Treatment & Hydronics Industries

JRW’s custom injection molding process and state-of-the-art technology enable them to produce custom molded rubber products with greater speed and efficiency than conventional rubber molding equipment. Utilizing superior engineering, JRW has the ability to work with water treatment and hydronics professionals to design and craft customized solutions to meet any specification. With unparalleled accuracy, JRW provides a free prototyping service for customers in need of rubber solutions.

JRW, an industry innovator, has been providing advanced rubber solutions to the water treatment and hydronics industry for more than 30 years. Cutting edge technological innovations, such as their well and expansion tank diaphragms, have been and continue to be the trademark of Jefferson Rubber.

JRW Produces Polyisoprene Seal to Reduce Risks in Laparoscopic Invasive Surgery

Jefferson Rubber — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:08:05 +0000

The patient benefits of minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery have proven to be extensive. The technique, which allows surgeons to perform the same procedures as in traditional open surgery, greatly reduces wound complications as well as scarring. This procedure employs small incisions as opposed to large abdominal incisions. As a result, patients enjoy increased post-operative comfort, reduced hospital stays, a quicker return to normal physical capacities, and an expedient return to work.

Recently, a leading manufacturer of balloon dissection and fixation devices used in laparoscopic procedures, found that its customers were experiencing allergic reactions to latex used in the instruments. The manufacturer needed to provide a safe and effective alternative to the existing instrument without compromising the quality of the product line.

The Challenge: Reconstructing Medical Seal For A Safer, More Effective Laparoscope

The properties of the seal of the laparoscope proved to be harmful to patients when the laparoscope was inserted into the body cavity for diagnostic purposes. The latex seal used with the laparoscope failed to maintain the proper air pressure required to complete the procedure effectively. In addition, Nitrosamines contained in the standard latex seals were often causing topical allergic reactions to exposed patients.

To address these problems, the manufacturer collaborated with Jefferson Rubber Works of Worcester, Mass. to develop an alternative to the faulty latex seals. As Nitrosamines are carcinogenic chemical compounds produced from nitrites and amines found in common latex products, Jefferson explored the possibility of utilizing a basic, latex-free material called Polyisoprene.

The Solution: Safe Tripartite Approved Polyisoprene

Jefferson worked with the manufacturer to construct a new Tripartite approved Polyisoprene seal that not only removes the harmful Nitrosamines affecting the patients, but also boasts superior physical properties when compared with the former latex composition. The new rubber makeup outperforms the former application in both durability and safety.

The outcome was a prototype that effectively eliminated the two major challenges in laparoscopic surgery: allergic reactions by the patients, and the retention of air pressure. Jefferson’s Polyisoprene composition has now passed all laboratory requirements, and has already attained approval for use in the operating room.

Results: Improved Patient Overall Experience

Jefferson’s new rubber seal has outperformed the former application in both durability and safety. The advanced sealing properties have greatly reduced the risk of blood loss on the operating table, resulting in safer treatments ranging from liver and urology surgery, to procedures concerning the appendix and abdominal wall.