Gage Products Supports National Manufacturing Day Friday, October 6th!

This October Gage Products is highlighting the national efforts of Manufacturing Day. The annual goal of the National Manufacturing Day initiative is to address each struggle within the industry in hopes of working towards community and industry solutions. Current concerns include the manufacturing skills gap, public misconceptions about the industry, outsourcing of American job placements overseas, and uneven gender numbers in the field. At Gage, we study these discrepancies daily to see what we can do to contribute to the solution of each matter.

On Friday, October 6, manufacturing companies across the U.S. will join the aim of National Manufacturing Day and open their doors to host industry related events. The MFG organization encourages participants to register their events on the official MFG Day site and mark it as public or invitation-only pending company preference.

On this day, active members vouch to recognize and honor the work that has been done and that continues to be done to progress the manufacturing industry. Manufacturing now supports more than 18.5 million jobs in the United States, and every dollar spent creates an additional 40 cents to the dollar for the U.S. economy.

Manufacturing offers a variety of STEM careers, some of which include machinists, electricians, computer programmers, assemblers, human resources, and sales. This is just a small portion of the many jobs that the industry has.

Public perceptions of the manufacturing industry have been outdated for too long. To be a part of today’s industry doesn’t mean you’re restricted to factory and shop work on the floor. Instead, the industry is currently seeing progress in technological advancements, STEM skills, secure job placements and benefits, as well as country and worldwide economic growth.

And initiatives go beyond National Manufacturing Day too. One of our favorite STEM events is the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge that Gage participates in annually. Not only does a job in manufacturing represent security, but enjoyable events, the pursuit of personal interests, and global industry progression.

As a supplier of chemical-related products and processes, we strive to support our industry and community by creating viable chemical solutions. Gage has pioneered toll-blending capabilities and sustainable, closed-loop recycling systems to create a cleaner, greener environment.

For more MFG Day and industry updates, remember to follow our blog, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Contact us today for more information!

 

Gage Offers New Company Videos on YouTube

Here at Gage Products, we’ve been the world’s preferred supplier of chemical related products and processes for over 80 years. We do this by staying focused on our customer’s needs and providing the highest quality products and solutions for a wide range of processes. We also believe in sustainability while reducing costs and increasing effective resource management.

We now offer videos for customers to see the latest processes and solutions available. In our latest video, we take a look at solvents and recycling and how Gage Products uses environmentally friendly processes. We are able to create custom solutions for any company that will lead to reduced solvent usage, which can give OEMs a reduced cost while leaving a smaller environmental footprint.

You can view a video on our solutions overview, an explanation on cleaning solutions. One highlight is our paint cleaning solutions which focus on reducing cost and waste while improving efficiency and reducing the overall environmental impact.

Here at Gage Products, we’re also leaders in fuel blending for reference fuels. We are able to take custom specification and turn them into the right product solutions for our customers. We have done this for automotive, engine manufacturers, and suppliers around the world. We are also able to offer over 25 different calibration fluids.

We offer a company overview video which showcases our value driven, high-quality products, our superior customer service, and our commitment to creating sustainable and green initiatives, all while promoting safety. We continually strive to create better products through research.

Gage Products serves customers in the automotive, aerospace, industrial, marine, gas & oil industries, and more. We are up to date with the latest technologies and information your company needs to succeed in your chemical, paint, and sustainability missions. We invite you to find out more by reading our blog, following us on Twitter, connecting with us on LinkedIn, and liking us on Facebook. We invite you to contact us to find out how we can help your company get the answers you need while becoming more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

What Direction is the Auto Industry Headed In?

Auto companies are still a leading industry throughout the U.S. Going far beyond the big 3 (Ford, Chrysler, and GM), car makers from around the world have manufacturing plants in the states. Today’s auto industry is innovative, trendsetting, and highly competitive in the global market. The outlook for 2017 is optimistic, and it isn’t business as usual as engineers, designers, and manufacturers look to the future of transportation.

As the world is at a crossroads regarding energy efficiency and carbon emissions, car manufacturers are driving to meet goals for clean vehicles and sustainable products. One of the industry’s greatest strengths has been developing products to meet the needs of consumers.

Electric cars (EVs) are topping the trends lists for all auto manufacturers for 2017.  As battery technology continues to improve and the costs decrease, analysts expect the cost of EVs to drop below gasoline-fueled cars by 2025. Ford is aiming for an all-electric crossover with a range of over 300 miles to be in dealerships in 2020. Deliveries of GM’s all-electric, long-range Bolt are reaching record figures. Tesla, the gold-standard for electric cars, continues to produce quality vehicles that go beyond current regulatory standards for sustainability.

As with EVs, auto manufacturers are speeding into developing viable autonomous technology, but the reality of actual deployment is still years away. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are the technologies propelling the advancement of self-driving cars. But, there are many challenges–safety, reliability, and acceptance– that have to be overcome before consumers see self-driving cars in their garages.

The auto industry is moving into the future with sustainability and renewable energy at the forefront of its technologies. We applaud the industry for taking steps to reduce emissions. As a company that pioneered sustainable closed-loop recycling systems for automotive paint solvents, Gage is continuously committed to environmental protection.

To learn more about our products and services which add increased sustainability to the auto industry, please contact us. You can also stay up-to-date with all of Gage’s news by reading our blog, and following us on Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Gage Products Looks Forward to Earth Day on April 22nd

Our company has been committed to leaving the planet a better place, one product at a time, since 1936. We serve a wide variety of industries and aim to find the perfect, green solution for each and every one of one of them.

At Gage Products, we are an industry leader in regards to sustainable manufacturing, solvent remanufacturing, and toll blending systems. Gage Products is ever present in the U.S., European, and Asian-Pacific automotive industries, working with the biggest and greatest companies out there. We offer our clients paint area solutions that are compatible with green technology and help to reduce manufacturing costs while working to advance company objectives.

Automotive manufacturing isn’t the only industry Gage Products is involved in. We also work with the aerospace, textile, industrial, marine, gas & oil, government, printing & packaging, and furniture industries. We are able to provide solvent recycling programs, custom fuel blends, solutions for paint line cleaning programs and paint booth cleaners, solvent reclamation and recycling programs, solvent and waterborne purge solvents which are environmentally compliant, and our engineers even have the capabilities to do in-house research and development.

We start with the end in mind, striving for the best methods to protect our planet and resources. In everything we do, we focus on sustainability and making the Earth a better place. Whether you’re new to going green or have been at it for years like us, we invite you to celebrate Earth Day, not just on April 22nd, but every day of the year.

To learn more about Gage Products, we invite you to read our blog, follow us on Twitter, connect with us on LinkedIn, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you’re looking for the perfect, Earth friendly products for your company, we invite you to contact us to learn more about how we can help your company to go green today.

Gage Looks Ahead to 2017

2016 was a historic year for the team at Gage Products, as we celebrated our company’s 80th anniversary, continuing to fulfill our goal of being the world’s preferred chemical product and process supplier. As the leading provider of closed-loop recycling and toll blending services for automotive and general industry paint solvents, we remain committed to quality and innovation in everything we do. While our team is extremely proud of this 80-year milestone, we’ve already begun to look ahead to what is sure to be a productive 2017.

As a leader in green sustainability, we’re looking forward to one of our first big events in the new year: Detroit Zoo’s inaugural Wildlife Conservation Gala on Saturday, March 18, 2017. Keep an eye out for our next blog on this meaningful cause. Our continuous industrial initiatives will bring our crew to another year at the annual SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Clean Snowmobile Challenge, taking place in early March in Houghton, MI. Each year, this competition brings together college students from around the country to redesign snowmobiles in order to reduce emissions and noise. Committed to supporting clean manufacturing initiatives and promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education, Gage has helped sponsor this unique, competitive event for over 15 years.

Looking ahead toward Earth Day, National Manufacturing Day, and National Safety Month, our team has also already begun to plan other various initiatives to support both the environment and our community.

We’d like to take a moment to thank all of our loyal customers and partners for making 2016 another success and can’t wait for the exciting developments that the new year has to offer. From all of us at Gage Products, thank you and have a healthy and happy 2017!

For the latest updates from Gage make sure to continue following our blog, LinkedIn, and Twitter pages.

Gage Looks Back at 2016

As 2016 draws to a close and we prepare for another productive, exciting year, we at Gage Products are looking back on the past year’s many accomplishments and important blog posts. Having celebrated our 80th birthday in 2016, this was a particularly momentous time for our team.

Blog Highlights

Through our blog, we got the chance to share exciting news and events with our readers, some of which are highlighted below.

Our Continual Sustainability Efforts

To provide clients and readers with a better idea of our sustainability efforts, in our August post we highlighted our “continuous improvement” project; this effort includes facility upgrades that reduce our carbon footprint, as well as the installation of a high-efficiency furnace that improves overall plant energy efficiency. We also discussed the upgrading of our recycling system controls.

In our May blog post, we outlined the basics of a Circular Economy, which promotes resource productivity and reduces waste. Gage Products is proud to be an early adopter of Circular Economy principles. We reclaim solvent materials from our major automobile clients and then filter what we obtain for sale in the market, significantly reducing waste and decreasing our carbon footprint.

To mark Earth Day, we discussed our environmental management program and our dedication to sustainability initiatives. As a chemical supplier, we believe it’s particularly important for us to offer eco-friendly options. Not only do we promote sustainable product alternatives, we also focus on reducing energy and greenhouse emissions, upgrading solid waste and recycling systems, and improving wastewater treatment methods.

Our Work in the Automotive Industry

Because Gage Products works with many major auto companies, we attended The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), which took place in January in Detroit. Our team was especially proud of our involvement here, as we acted as a sponsor of the 2016 AUTOGLOW: The 25th, which supports children’s charities through The Children’s Center. Every year, they help over 7,500 children and families deal with emotional and intellectual challenges, often stemming from poverty or abuse.

And in March, we blogged about the exciting SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge. Held in Houghton, Michigan, students got the chance to present their redesigned eco-friendly snowmobiles. The redesigned vehicles reduced both emissions and noise and showcased the forward-thinking work of the next generation’s designers.

More recently, one of the main focuses amongst the Gage Products team has been our contribution to create foreign business opportunities for the company, Michigan, U.S. and China.

Looking Ahead

2016 has been an exciting year here at Gage Products, and this coming year is sure to be just as productive. For more information on sustainability efforts and awareness, the automotive and manufacturing industries, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn!

We hope everyone has a relaxing holiday season, and we’ll see you back here in 2017!

Gage Lands Large Foreign Business Opportunity!

Since 1936 it has been our commitment to bring sustainable manufacturing to chemical related products and processes. Gage Products services industries such as heavy and general industrial, paint, aerospace, marine, government, print and package, predominantly the automotive industry, and more. Our high-performance solvent blends, custom test fuel blend, calibration fluids, paint line cleaning programs, and specialty product solutions for a wide array of paint applications make us a unique team of “go-green” contributors within the field. We offer sustainable closed-loop recycling systems and toll blending capabilities to reduce procedure budgets and upsurge effective resource management. It is clear that one of our biggest goals is a cleaner, greener environment for all.

More recently, one of the main focuses amongst the Gage Products team has been our contribution to create foreign business opportunities for the company, Michigan, U.S. and China. And we didn’t stand alone in this undertaking. On November 19th Governor Rick Snyder and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan returned from an investment mission to China. As of recent, we are officially pleased to announce that we have signed a memorandum of understanding with Sichuan SIKEYONGHE Technologies. As stated in the MOU, we have agreed to generate a united company in Chongqing China. Production will center around automotive cleaning solvents for Chinese customers. In an interview our Chairman and President, Dan Finkiewicz, expanded on our involvement, “We have been investigating the Chinese market for the past five years. Today, the search has ended with the right partner in the right location, Chongqing.”

Our effort, alongside a group of other companies listed below, is to “foster stronger economic partnerships between Michigan and China.” Alongside Governor Snyder, Mayor Duggan, and our new partner Sichuan SIKEYONGHE Technologies, we are excited to continue expansion with international markets and lend a hand in future prospects for both Michigan and China, and further businesses that hope to get involved.

The governor expanded on the true opportunity at hand, “These joint ventures are great examples of how the strength of the auto industry both in Michigan and the Chongqing region can create smart business opportunities and partners. [..] Michigan is committed to economic partnership with Chongqing, not only in the auto sector but in other industries as well.”

Other participating companies include:

We would like to give a big congratulations to Lorin Industries on signing their MOU with Shenzhen Bond Industry Co., Ltd. on our joint trip. Both these companies will work together to complete the Chongqing Airport terminal project.

Governor Snyder wrapped up the anticipation surrounding the MOU signings animatedly explaining that “[the] MOU signings are perfect examples of how trade missions can pay off for Michigan companies […] These Michigan businesses, with products ranging from testing systems to logistics services, will have a never-before-seen opportunity to reach new customers in the fastest-growing economy in the world.”

As a team, we feel so blessed to have been involved with the recent trip to China, our new found business partners, and the continuation of work with local and foreign investments.

Interested in working with Gage, or some of our products? Please contact us today! Our friendly staff is standing by.

Keep Your Eye on the Manufacturing Industry Beyond National Manufacturing Day 2016!

National Manufacturing Day is today, October 7th! Celebrated the first Friday in October, this important day highlights common misconceptions about our industry. Manufacturing companies across the globe come together to open their doors to address topics like the skilled labor shortage and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education to connect with millennials while showing the public at large that “this isn’t your grandfather’s/father’s factory anymore!”

With huge conversations about STEM and moving away from the image of what manufacturing once was, leaders in the field plan to ensure industry growth and prosperity in future decades. Search the phrase above on Google or Twitter and you will see how much information is out there on the new changes to the industry that you will want to be a part of.

Yes, the industry is a changing, and manufacturing is, in fact, becoming one of the most successful careers in the U.S. Every industry needs parts, machines, gadgets and technology to make their products work. Without manufacturing other industries simply wouldn’t exist! Not to mention, the U.S. is predicted to overtake China and earn the top spot for the most competitive manufacturing nation in the world by 2020. With bringing jobs back to the U.S. and looking for a safety net for your future, and your family’s future, manufacturing truly is becoming the way to go. Even colleges are taking note and promoting STEM education programs. High school graduates that already have the interest can find niche programs that center on manufacturing entirely. And the push for women to consider a career in manufacturing is growing daily. Opening up the discussion to each new generation of middle and high school students, and the administration that guides them, is the focus we need to help the U.S. economy thrive. Today, a career in manufacturing means working with the latest technology to improve the world. This type of education will give your children the facets they need to become successful and stay on top of the fruitful future they’re so badly looking to achieve. Bottom line, manufacturing = security.

Gage Products has been committed to effective/green manufacturing since 1936. We specialize in chemical related products and processes to service industries such as Automotive, Heavy and General Industrial, Paint, Textile, Aerospace, Marine, Gas and Oil, Government, Furniture, Print and Package with high-performance solvent blends, custom test fuel blends, calibration fluids, paint line cleaning programs, and specialty product solutions for a wide variety of paint related applications. We also have sustainable closed-loop recycling systems and toll blending capabilities to reduce process costs and increase effective resource management. Our mission is a cleaner, greener environment for the world and the future.

We are happy to be celebrating National Manufacturing Day today and hope you are too! Please help Gage and companies across the industry in spreading the word about today’s changes in manufacturing. Taking the evidence into consideration both engineering and manufacturing are vital to all industries, your industry, your future, and the economy at large.

Contact our friendly staff today for further inquiries you might have. We look forward to speaking with you!

nmd-logo-oct-2016

Looking Forward to an Eventful 2016

Starting fresh means setting out a new list of goals to potentially improve circumstances and, at the beginning of a new year, usually comes in the form of resolutions. For us, a resolution doesn’t give our name justice because, at Gage Products, we continually work to2016 Outlook Image 2 - Feb. 2016 provide the highest quality products and services year in and year out. We call this TheGage Difference.

This summer, Gage will celebrate 80 years in business. This is quite a milestone! Started in 1935, we are still a family-owned operation that continues to serve the automotive industry as we did in the beginning. We have won numerous awards for our manufacturing excellence and operational compliance. In 2016, we will continue our tradition to innovate this year with new solvents, fuels, recycling systems, and solutions for any challenging manufacturing problems.

In the coming months we will also be redesigning our website to incorporate the most up-to-date company news, plus the addition of new content. Increasing our site information brings more value to our customer’s ability to interact with our company. We will be featuring our latest tweets, news, events, and new product developments. Be sure to check in with us often!

As we set out to take on the new year, we are looking forward to another year of exceptional commitment to environmental and community stewardship, the sustainable manufacturing of solvents, and providing solutions for manufacturers’ greatest challenges.

Happy New Year from all of us at Gage Products!

General Motors Facility Receives Pollution Prevention Award

In order to promote improvements in public health and environmental quality, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) recognizes projects that “eliminate or reduce the generation of pollutants or wastes at the source or projects that conserve natural resources.” The Pollution Prevention Award was recently presented to the General GM Purge Thinner Reduction Project Nov. 2015Motors Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City for its Purge Thinner Reduction Project.

The goal of this project was to find ways to reduce the amount of the thinner used to clear paint lines when changing colors. The plant began the project by forming a Purge Reduction Committee that examined and analyzed the current process and materials. In monthly meetings they looked at how the thinner was used to determine where reductions could be made without sacrificing quality or productivity.

By switching thinners from the one they were using to Gage purge solvents, they realized the savings and benefits almost immediately. Our high-performance formulations are designed to improve the quality of paint applications using less solvent than is required by other products. Using the new product reduced paint per vehicle as well as lowered material and waste disposal costs. And, best of all, environmental compliance is increased and less thinner is needed to complete the purge process.

By reevaluating the process of purging the paint line piping between color changes and switching to Gage purge solvents, GM decreased thinner use by 101,894 gal, lowered VOC emissions by 92,700 pounds, and saved $405,500 over 12 months.

Using Gage purge solvents improved efficiencies at the Chevy Malibu and Buick Lacrosse assembly plant and resulted in clean, efficient, and fast color changes. Process variability and system costs were reduced which maximized the plant’s efficiency while minimizing wastes.

Gage develops high-quality solvent solutions and specializes in:

• Uniquely designed purge solvents
• Solvent recovery and solvent blending solutions
• High performance blended solvent and water borne purge solutions

We are continually working to shrink the environmental impact of our products and are proud to have been involved with the GM Purge Thinner Reduction Project and the recognition it received through this award. For more information on our sustainable products check out our website.

GM Purge Thinner Reduction Project Image 2Nov. 2015