FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Skip Glatt
G.A.I.M. Engineering
630-350-9500

G.A.I.M Manufactures Success with U.S.-Based Solutions and Government Support

November 24, 2003, Chicago, IL - Despite the economic crisis that has devastated many manufacturers and forced others to move labor out-of-country, plastic-molding company G.A.I.M. Engineering continues to grow with low-cost, U.S.-based manufacturing solutions.

The suburban Chicago manufacturer of products made from recycled materials cites government programs as the biggest reason it continues to gain market share in this hard-hit economy.

As the recession began to take its toll post-9-11, G.A.I.M. Engineering President Skip Glatt knew he needed to take innovation to the next level in order to provide his customers with invaluable products and services at an affordable price. He began seeking unique means of capitalization, and quickly found government programs that could help grow the business - keeping his 13-person staff and 10 programmable robots busy.

"We were seeing some of our business go overseas at the start of the recession and were forced to look at new ways to generate revenue," says Glatt. "Besides cheaper labor, many overseas companies are able to remain profitable due to government subsidies and other programs. I began seeking opportunities to receive government assistance that would help us meet the demands of our customers."

Since 2000, G.A.I.M. has been able to secure over $460,000 in state-funded grants from sources such as the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The grants have been used for investments in new equipment, allowing the company to produce products more efficiently and reach new markets. The grants also provide the necessary capital to invest in their existing customers.

Bird-X, marketer of environmentally safe products that deter pigeons from perching on buildings, has been a G.A.I.M. customer for six years. Last year Bird-X asked G.A.I.M. to create an improved version of the SPIKES Needle Strips, a product G.A.I.M. produces for the Chicago-based company. With grants attained in 2002, G.A.I.M. was able to invest in resources to fulfill Bird-X's request without passing on the cost to their customer.

"G.A.I.M. is the perfect vendor. They respond quickly to special orders andalwaysmeet our needs," says Bird-X Marketing Manager Mona Zemski. "SPIKES Needle Strips is now stronger and will be less likely to break during shipping or extreme weather conditions. We rarely have to replace the product."

Other government grants awarded to G.A.I.M. have allowed the company to upgrade their quality control program.

"We will soon have ISO 9000 and TS16469 certifications that will allow us to recruit sales agents and compete on a larger level," says Glatt. "Without all of the grants we've been awarded, we would have had to downsize. They've allowed us to become automated, keep up with the demands of our customers and pick up new markets with more efficient processes."

In addition to applying for government grants for capital investment in equipment and tools, G.A.I.M. has taken advantage of government programs that support U.S. foreign trade initiatives. Through the Illinois Trade Office and U.S. Commercial Service, G.A.I.M. has been able to expand foreign outreach.

"We weren't finding a lot of new work here, so we looked overseas," says Glatt. "The Illinois Trade Office made it easier, supplying us with economic information, contact names, video conferencing tools, appointments and use of their office while traveling abroad."

Currently, the foreign market is just over five percent of G.A.I.M.'s business but they expect that number to double over the next couple of years. They do business in Mexico and Germany, and are in the middle of contract talks with contacts in Bolgaria, Poland, France and Italy to market their retail bag-carrying grips - TotASak and Hand-lr. They also promote products they produce for their clients to overseas markets.

"We've had to be innovative - look for out-of-the-box ways to get capitalization so we can continue to provide the best products and services to our clients at a price that's worth staying in the States for," says Glatt. "With the help of programs offered by the government, we've found ways to work through these difficult economic conditions, keep our clients satisfied and remain profitable."

# # #

Based in Bensenville, IL, G.A.I.M. Engineering (Glatt Aided Injection Molding) is a 13-year-old company dedicated to using 100 percent industrial scrap to develop and produce high-quality products for more than 33 industries, including retail, automotive and home improvement. G.A.I.M. provides free tours of its 14,000-square-foot facility to schools and organizations interested in learning about innovative ways to manufacture using recycled content. Call 630.350.9500 for more information.
Close Window