In the Spotlight: The Glove Corp

Tuesday, Jan 23, 2007

The Glove Corporation, an Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions client, has won a major manufacturing order from Camelbak. Camelbak is a $120m company that produces and markets sports and outdoor wear, as well as various military products including backpacks and gloves.

They approached The Glove Corporation in September of 2006 after searching the internet for a company that utilized Lean Manufacturing Principles. The search directed them to an article placed on the internet by Arkansas Manufacturing Solutions, in coordination with the Arkansas Department of Economic Development.

After a visit to the factory in Heber Springs, Camelback awarded the AMS client a contract in mid January to begin manufacturing 60,000 pairs of an advanced combat glove for the U.S. Marine Corps to be shipped to various Marine bases upon completion.

According to Tony Moore, General Manager of Glove Corporation, Camelback was very impressed, noting that the Arkansas facility had the most advanced manufacturing operation that they have seen within the U.S. and many offshore operations that they currently employ.

While many facilities are still using dated 'Batch and Sew' production methods, Camelbak discovered the benefits of a cost effective approach with the Glove Corporation, a direct result of LEAN. Camelbak will now shift a number of orders originally intended to be fulfilled overseas to the Arkansas plant.