One of the oldest die casters in the US, New Products Corporation, turned 95 on April 22. Founded in Benton Harbor, Mich., in 1922, the company is a global supplier of custom, precision die cast aluminum and zinc parts for applications in industries including automotive, military, industrial equipment, medical instruments, appliances, transportation, and furniture.
"We're always injecting New into New Products. We are as lean and nimble as ever," said New Products CEO, Cheryl Miller. The owner-CEO is a third generation family member to run the business.
New Products is a success story in a difficult industry. The founder, Walter Miller, was an entrepreneur who founded eight Southwest Michigan companies, beginning with New Products. Miller was a pioneer in the die cast industry, receiving commendations for wartime inventions and production. New Products produced millions of parts for post-war consumer products. During the automotive boom, New Products and its "brother," Modern Plastics invented unique metal and plastic timing gears for cars that no other manufacturer was able to replicate.
At the company birthday celebration, employees swapped stories.
- Byrd Blanchard, a 40-year employee, first started as a punch press operator, then went into Die Repair, a time when NPC was "turning out millions of agitators for Whirlpool washers," she said.
- Fred Wolf, the longest running current employee at 52 years, loves New Products so much that he came in even when he wasn't scheduled.
- Chris Conner, a 42-year veteran, is still touched by a gesture of Stanley Miller (son of the founder), who brought apple cider from his farm to her home.
- Mike Selvidge, a 39-year veteran, started his drafting job with pencil and paper. Randle Carpenter learned about a die cast position 40 years ago from his brother-in-law, who worked at NPC. He filled in for a truck driver, until they could find a replacement. Carpenter jokes, he is "still waiting for his replacement."
- Linda Stright benefitted from NPC's sponsorship of Junior Achievement in high school. When she was hired for IT just out of college, Stanley asked that she stay at least six months. Thirty-two years later, she's more than kept her promise, and paid it forward as a Junior Achievement Advisor.
These stories bring home the family business atmosphere, and a uniqueness in employee longevity, averaging 20 years--one of its secrets to success.
New Products has survived floods, fires, and economic downturns, yet continues to stand. It has bought a mortgage on Modern Plastics to expand operations to the vacant property across the street. The business hopes that bankruptcy trustee and property tax issues get favorably resolved so they can move forward. Management is implementing an ambitious new quality system, IATF 16949. The company is also investing in a number of equipment and technology upgrades. New Products is quoting new business and is hiring. The future looks bright.
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