Posted by Gary Manufacturing on | Comments Off on Surviving 2020; Being an Essential Business During a Global Pandemic
“There were times when we didn’t know if we were going to be able to weather this, but it has been interesting to see the business flex and shift where we need to, to keep ourselves viable.” – Andrea Beagle, Office Manager.
2020 has been a challenging year for everyone, Gary Manufacturing included. Learning that we are among a few lucky businesses’s considered to be essential, Gary Manufacturing is navigating the COVID waters and striving to come out on the other side with strengths we didn’t know we had prior to this year.
March 19, 2020, was the day California Governor Newsom announced a state-wide shutdown, restricting all non-essential businesses to close in an attempt to fight the rapid growth of COVID-19. That evening the management staff had to make phone calls to all employees that the company would remain closed for an unforeseen amount of time.
After being closed for one business day, several key essential customers requested that we stay open as we were one of their essential suppliers. The team at Gary was thrilled to be considered an essential business. Being able to bring employees back to work immediately was a great source of pride for us, however, it felt risky not knowing what was coming next.
First order of business was safety. Shifting from a close-knit group to a more individualized setting was a hard, but necessary change for the Gary staff to make. In addition to splitting lunch and break shifts, we created clear barriers and socially distanced workstations. Daily temperature and welfare checks were implemented in the mornings before reporting to work.
There have been many difficulties along the way but maintaining employee safety has been the main priority. Not all employees felt comfortable returning to work right away. Temporary workers were hired and trained. Extra communication with customers was needed to be able to produce essential products in a timely manner. Gary Manufacturing has been building strong relationships with both clients and vendors for many years. During this time, we have relied heavily on those relationships to see us through.
From a Human Resources point of view, navigating constant changes in regulations and staying compliant has been one of the hardest parts of the year. At the start of the pandemic, no one really knew what was going to happen. Federal guidelines have changed many times, keeping up with that no easy task, but as an essential business, it was now our job to make sure we could safely remain open.
Even though it has been a struggle, there have been many positives for the business. Gary Manufacturing has learned that it was more adaptable than we ever knew. Being able to end the year with the doors open and to provide a stable job for her employees has been Kerri Smith’s, General Manager, proudest accomplishment of 2020.
Gary has been able to adapt both internally with staff and externally in their product offerings. Utilizing technology for virtual meetings, working from home when possible, and reducing contact with others on-site has been imperative to stay safe.
Gary Manufacturing evolved our shower curtain line to include barrier curtains for pop-up hospitals, restaurants, or anywhere that needs to offer protective barriers between people.
Since learning of its essentiality, Gary Manufacturing is looking forward to continuing growth in these essential sectors of the economy:
Medical
Technology
Transportation
Communication
Sanitation
Construction
Gary Manufacturing recognizes that very few businesses have been lucky enough to remain open during COVID and is thankful for the continued support of our customers and the hard work of the staff. We look forward to continuing to bring quality products and superior customer service in 2021 and beyond.
Posted by Gary Manufacturing on | Comments Off on Stock Materials for Clear Vinyl Curtains
Gary Manufacturing offers clear vinyl industrial curtains in a variety of different materials to fit the needs of your project. Here are 5 of the most versatile solutions we offer. Our five most popular choices for clear vinyl include:
6g or 10g Crystal Clear PVC Film – A clear film that allows for full visibility and light penetration.
Recommended Uses: Shower curtains, windows in custom bags and covers, pockets on promotional chair caps, doors on rack covers, room dividers, and protective barriers.
Frosty Clear PVC Film – A partially opaque film that allows for light penetration and some visibility.
Recommended Uses: Rack covers, shower curtains, and custom covers.
6g Clear Parquet – An embossed clear film that allows for visibility and light penetration while still maintaining some privacy.
Recommended Uses: Shower curtains.
12oz Clear Banna – A heavy duty supported frosty clear film with interior scrim that allows partial
light penetration and visibility.
Recommended Uses: Rack covers, custom covers, and custom bags.
Sure-Chek – A hospital-ready reinforced clear film with interior scrim that includes antimicrobial, anti-static, and flame-resistant properties.
Our vinyl curtains may include water-repellent, fire retardant, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties. They are easy to maintain and come in different thicknesses. Customers can also choose between REACH-compliant or Prop 65-compliant vinyl varieties.
Call us today at 1-800-775-0804 or email sales@garymanufacturing.com to discuss your project with our expert sales team.
Posted by Gary Manufacturing on | Comments Off on Safely Made in the USA; Gary Manufacturing Responds to COVID.
As an essential manufacturing company supplying the medical, sanitation, technology and military industries, we have had the privilege of continuing to serve our customers through this unprecedented time. As a response to the world-wide pandemic COVID19, Gary Manufacturing is following the CDC guidelines and has established a Seven-Point Safety Plan to ensure our workspace is a safe environment for all our valued staff members.
Employee Screenings – Every morning employees are screened before entering the building. Screening includes a respiratory questionnaire and temperature check. Employees with respiratory symptoms or a fever over 100.0 are sent home.
Employee Training – We have regular meetings with staff to go over COVID symptoms and what precautions to take including wearing masks and practicing safe physical distancing. Signage in all areas of the factory to remind employees how to stay safe.
Mandatory Masks and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – As a sewing company we have had the luxury of producing our own cloth masks for all employees. Additionally, paper masks and latex gloves are available to all.
Physical Distancing – Markings have been placed on floor to keep employees 6 feet apart at the time clock and in the kitchen. Plastic partitions have been installed between workstations where 6ft separation was not physically possible. We have also shifted from one to two morning break periods and two lunch periods to minimize how many employees are using the facilities at the same time.
Enhanced Sanitation – All common areas are sanitized after each break and at the end of the day. Workstations are cleaned at a minimum once daily and always between uses by different employees. Our facility is cleaned by an outside company with hospital-grade cleaners once a week. Hand sanitizer has been placed at high-use areas to increase hand cleanliness and signage encouraging hand washing is throughout factory.
Air quality – Big bay doors are opened during business hours and fans are kept running to encourage air changeover in the facility.
Digital Innovations – We have moved all meetings to virtual platforms using current technology. To reduce the exchanging of paperwork we have established new protocols to utilize email wherever possible.
Gary Manufacturing has been in business for over 60 years. At no time in the past have we faced such challenging times as we have faced in the last few months. As a manufacturer we have always been acutely aware how important our production staff is to our business. Now, more than ever we are focused on putting employees first on the priority list and are exceedingly grateful that we can weather another storm. Thank you to all our customers who have supported us during this difficult time, we are here for you and growing stronger every day.
As an essential manufacturing company supplying the medical, sanitation, technology and military industries, we have had the privilege of continuing to serve our customers through this unprecedented time. As a response to the world-wide pandemic COVID19, Gary Manufacturing is following the CDC guidelines and has established a Seven-Point Safety Plan to ensure our workspace is a safe environment for all our valued staff members.