RefrigiWear Achieves Flexibility and Speed with Eton


ALPHARETTA, GA - April 11, 2007 - Eton Systems, the world's leading provider of unit production systems (UPS) for the sewn-product industries, announces that Refrigiwear Inc. has successfully implemented the Eton 4000 system in its Dahlonega, Georgia (USA) headquarters. Implemented over the past 6 months, the 25 workstation system handles all assembly operations for its diverse line of industrial outerwear products.

RefrigiWear Inc. (www.refrigiwear.com) is the largest manufacturer of insulated coats, jackets, vests, bib overalls, coveralls, and other insulated protective work clothing in the United States. Since 1954, the company has kept food industry, public service, and other chilled and cold conditions workers around the globe warm, safe, and productive on the job. The implementation of Eton at Refrigiwear is central to the company's commitment to maintaining and improving its US manufacturing operations. "While we do source certain products from Asia, we remain committed to domestic production for the fast delivery and flexibility we need to handle priority deliveries, custom sizes, and small production runs that gives us a competitive edge," stated Ron Breakstone, President and CEO. "With the addition of Eton and the reorganization that it brought, we can now routinely turn custom orders in 2 days or less. Eton absolutely improves our ability to serve our customers."

Even though the system has been in use just 6 months, Refrigiwear has quickly accomplished a number of significant operation improvements. According to Scotty DePriest, Vice President of Operations, "We have already cut our manufacturing cycle time from 2.5 weeks to 2.5 days. Eton enabled us to reduce our total assembly WIP down to only 200 units. In addition to reducing floor space requirements by 75%, this more importantly assures us that finished products flow through the Eton assembly line in 3 hours or less."

"We are still improving on things like line balancing and cross-training operators, but we know that the hard work is worth it. Where else can you buy equipment that gives your employees a salary increase, reduces costs, improves customer service, and pays for itself in one year?"

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