Engineered Gaskets and Seals Manufacturing Company Blends Engineers’ Talents with Customer Needs to Improve and Expand Production

MANTUA, OHIO (December 8, 2010) – In the polymer industry, constant changes and improvements are the essential ingredients to servicing customer needs effectively.  Mantaline Corporation of Mantua, Ohio has recently added key new processes and materials to its portfolio in its efforts to offer current customers an avenue to “best available” technology as well as position itself to fulfill the expectations of the new customers it is pursuing.

Over the last several months, Mantaline has improved their manufacturing systems, expanded their customer base and added new processes to their portfolio.  The corporation now works in three new market segments: off-road construction vehicle window seals, medical industry freezer seals, and automotive sunroof seals. In addition to the three new markets, Mantaline has also broadened its capabilities to offer new in-line and finishing options for automotive and non-automotive customers alike. 

How does Mantaline consistently develop new processes and products?  The answer comes down to having the right people on board.  According to Engineering VP Kyle Jackson, “it takes gifted, talented and dedicated folks to bring a consistent flow of innovation on-line.”

It is the mix of different engineers with varying skill-sets and ideas that has allowed Mantaline to break through some of its previous barriers.  By having people look at challenges from different angles, old restrictions break down and new methods of operating are created. Mantaline encourages its engineers to work directly with customer counterparts to address any constraints in process technology and then make those processes more robust and appropriately cost-effective. 

The goal of Mantaline’s pursuit of process excellence is twofold:  minimize off-line finishing and maximize start up efficiency.  Mantaline is working to integrate tooling design and effectiveness into manufacturing processes to achieve tighter tolerance on seals while reducing total cost.  The focus on increased level of tolerance capability and product complexity is directly related to customer needs: current and future. 

Mantaline is also attacking waste and other ancillary cost centers.  Returnable packaging, handling and storage of process materials and qualifying alternative, lower cost materials are all areas that Mantaline’s pursuit of efficiency has touched.

 These initiatives have an added customer benefit: Mantaline is much better able to handle customer “lower volume” production requirements; a level of flexibility not lost on customers striving to maintain their own commercial relationships.  “How we set up ‘built in flexibility’ across our manufacturing lines makes us more efficient across a spectrum of volumes,” said Jackson. “Shorter runs and running a wide variety of different products on the same equipment makes us more attractive to our customers, no doubt about it.

It is its flexibility and efficiency that really permits Mantaline to service customers who themselves must deal with a wide variation is production requirements.  “Our ‘adaptability’ helps customers who need flexibility in their supply base and are struggling to find it,” said Jackson.

Mantaline, a material driven and customer driven company, is changing the polymer industry by increasing efficiency and cost effectiveness with new processes and new outlooks.

ABOUT MANTALINE CORPORATION

Located in the heart of the polymer industry, Mantaline Corporation is a world-class leader known for its engineering competence, quality and precision in the heavy truck, off-road vehicles, rail, automotive, recreational vehicle, and marine industries. For more information about Mantaline, visit their NEW WEBSITE at www.mantaline.com, call (800) 321-0948, or email info@mantaline.com.

Manufacturer of Polymer Seal Leverages Growth Opportunities in Mexico
 
MANTUA, OH (July 15, 2009) – Mantaline Corporation of Mantua, Ohio recently launched a growth strategy to strengthen customer ties and to better penetrate new and existing markets.  Many Mantaline customers have moved operations to Mexico to lower costs.  Mantaline is seizing the opportunity to grow with these companies by geographically positioning some of their operations closer to them in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.  The expansion offers their customers the opportunity to benefit from immediate logistical cost savings.
 
We are working with our customers as partners in the enterprise, and this new facility allows us to near-shore with them,” said Tom Mlinar, Vice President of Business Development for Mantaline.  “We are taking advantage of the changing climate within the industrial world and positioning ourselves to best serve our customers wherever they are.”

Mantaline is moving portions of their value-added equipment to Mexico where the operations can be more cost effectively executed as a result of a potential long-term supplier as partner.  Due to the close proximity to the US, the facility will be under close supervision of Mantaline engineers and operations personnel. 

The trade terms set forth in NAFTA allow Mantaline to move semi-finished goods to Mexico, with little or no duty, for just-in-time finishing and delivery to nearby customer locations.  An expansion into Mexico will strengthen distribution channels, develop new customer relationships and ultimately increase sales.  The key driver in this growth strategy is to acquire incremental Mexico-based business from existing customers while positioning the company to attract new ones.  The operational benefits of the move are tremendous as Mantaline will be able to better focus on operations training procedures, operations documentation, quality procedures, EDI support, and logistics at a manageable risk level.  Capital intensive extrusion operations will remain in Mantua, Ohio at the company’s headquarters facilities.  Mantaline’s expansion proves to be a sign of strength and stability within their organization.  The company continues to put their customers’ needs at the forefront of their business plan while simultaneously making financially beneficial strategic decisions.

Located in the heart of the polymer industry, Mantaline is a world-class leader known for its engineering competence, quality and precision in the Heavy Truck, Off-Road Vehicles, Rail, Automotives, Recreational Vehicles, and Marine. For more information, visit their site at www.mantaline.com, call (800) 321-0948, or email info@mantaline.com.

Manufacturer of Polymer Seal Consolidates Ohio Facilities in Mantua

MANTUA, OH (June 22, 2009) – Mantaline Corporation, an employee owned company that designs and manufactures polymer based sealing products for the mid-volume segments of the transportation industry, is consolidating their Ohio facilities to one single location as part of their 2009 growth strategy.  The company will be moving from their Aurora facility to their Mantua, Ohio headquarters. 

“In the final analysis, our break-even scenario will be replaced by a highly sustainable and profitable footing,” said Tom Mlinar, Vice President of Business Development for Mantaline.  “By the end of summer Mantaline will be in a stronger market position without the benefit of any increases from our existing portfolio or a lessening of the recession.”

The company has increased their capacity to grow the business without the need of incremental investment.  “Our lean initiatives, started nearly eighteen months ago, are now beginning to pay back big dividends,” Mlinar explained.

A single facility will enable the company to optimize production costs, specifically overhead and indirect labor.  Mantaline’s plan will permit the company to continue its award winning levels of customer service and keep processes intact without interruption, while accomplishing the consolidation.  All relocated production equipment will be re-qualified to ensure there are no changes to the output quality of the products or disruption in the level of service.

Mantaline has contracted additional space in Mantua near its headquarters location to house some auxiliary operations and shipping.  All essential extrusion and molding operations will now be under one roof, which will offer a big advantage in terms of process control and quality management.

Facility engineers have re-configured the Mantua facility to make the best use of the existing space.  The consolidation creates the opportunity for further lean initiatives which will help minimize the effects of the ever-increasing raw material and purchased component costs. Mantaline’s new lean manufacturing operation achieves the levels of control essential for zero defects planning and execution.  Mantaline’s customers will reap the benefits of shorter cycle times and Mantaline will be able to maintain profit margins and increase customer satisfaction.

Located in the heart of the polymer industry, Mantaline is a world-class leader known for its engineering competence, quality and precision in the Heavy Truck, Off-Road Vehicles, Rail, Automotives, Recreational Vehicles, and Marine markets. For more information, visit their website at www.mantaline.com, call (800) 321-0948, or email info@mantaline.com.

Polymer Seal Application Manufacturer Remains Strong in Troubled Economy

MANTUA, OH (June 1, 2009) – In this tumultuous economy, industrial-component manufacturers are all under intense scrutiny.  Mantaline Corporation of Mantua, Ohio, is working to remain a valued partner to their customers and an innovative provider of polymer and elastomer seals for the transportation industry; specifically the Heavy Truck, Off-Road Vehicle, Rail, Automotive, Recreational Vehicles, and Marine markets. Using a survivor strategy, Mantaline knows how to take advantage of the economic downturn by creating an opportunity for new business development and growth.

“At Mantaline, we are well-positioned to ride out the current economic conditions,” said Tom Mlinar, Vice President of Business Development for Mantaline.  “We have already secured and implemented near-term growth projects that will improve our revenues by 30% this year.”

Last year, while the industry faced a near tripling cost of raw materials, Mantaline, with the assistance of key customers, was able to absorb the extraordinary additional material costs and still end its fiscal year 2008 in the black.  Although volumes are down across the entire transportation industry this year, Mantaline has carefully managed their business for a positive outcome.  They are not heavily dependent on industry giants like GM or Chrysler and instead have strategically focused their business positioning in other niche areas.  They are also moving forward with an extensive business expansion plan that will allow them to more efficiently serve a variety of current and future customers.

Since 1964, Mantaline has been the leader in engineered sealing solutions for demanding molding and extrusion applications.  Today, Mantaline is a strategically integrated supplier with dedicated market teams focused on providing the customer with engineered elastomer systems that manage wind, water, air, abrasion, vibration and lubricants.  Mantaline’s expert technical staff is made up of highly trained industry veterans with expertise in product design, finite element analysis, tooling, processing, logistics, and project management. 

For more information, visit their site at www.mantaline.com, call (800) 321-0948, or email info@mantaline.com.