PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release Friday, October 29, 2010

Contact: Noel LaBine 763-477-3086

City of Rockford Manufacturing Week ceremony
held at Diversifoam Products

Wright County – On October 28, 2010 the City of Rockford's Manufacturer's week ceremony was hosted by Diversifoam Products in their “state-of-the-art” expandable polystyrene plant in the Millennium Industrial Park. Benjamin Sachs, President, was there to accept a certificate signed by Governor Pawlenty. Also on hand to greet the guests were Mike Morgen, Packaging Manager; Kurt Kessler, Plant Manager; and Steve Slavik, Operations Manager.

According to Benjamin Sachs, this building is the “Rolls Royce” of the expandable polystyrene industry. Designed by Steve Slavik and his team this building design and the equipment in it is exclusively owned by Diversifoam and allows them to produce the best quality polystyrene products at the most competitive price. They have another plant in Illinois ; because of the light nature of this product it is rarely feasible to ship the material very far. Between the Rockford location and the other location in Illinois they are able to sell and ship their products to about a ten state area.

They currently have 60 plus people working in manufacturing in Rockford and another 15 people doing office work and sales. Their business continues to grow and currently they are working two shifts five days a week after hiring an additional 22 people in the last few months.

The process to make their products is a multiple step process that does not involve chemicals. They have several employees that have been working at the plant up to 35 years, which includes the period of time during previous owners before Ben Sachs bought the company and modernized it. All of the employees are very healthy and happy. The manufacturing process involves the use of steam to expand the resin and to create different densities of material before a second application of steam, which forms the polystyrene beads into usable blocks. Finally the product is cut to pre-determined sizes depending on the order or application.

Their customers include local appliance manufacturers (as a filler in plastic molding), Alumnacraft boats (as a filler to add a flotation property), and several medical device manufacturers such as R&D Systems of Minneapolis (molded O.E.M. packaging). In addition they make products for building construction including insulated concrete forms for companies such as Standard ICF. They also make forms for insulated garage door manufacturers such as North Central Door in Bemidji ; which builds a top quality garage door.

The community of Wright County is thankful for the decision by Diversifoam Products to build and grow this high-tech company in Wright County .

 

The Partnership exists to enhance the business climate of Wright County and to help create more jobs in Wright County . The strategies the Partnership uses to achieve its mission include being an information resource and finding technical assistance; aiding business development through Business Retention & Expansion visits, providing financing resources, and providing business information and training through seminars and workshops. Also, the Partnership markets Wright County to business site locators, and maintains an excellent website, which includes a listing of commercial and industrial property available in Wright County (see www.wrightpartnership.org ). The Partnership also assists with Workforce Development and has gathered economic statistical information, which is available on its website.