Unique Relationship Optimizes Fiber Processing Solutions


October 9, 2008

(Pawcatuck, Conn.) - For Davis-Standard, LLC and Red Oak Sales Company, Inc, the vendor/customer relationship works both ways. For nearly 20 years, the two equipment manufacturers have worked cooperatively to supply textile, mono and multifilament production machinery to customers worldwide. Davis-Standard supplies Red Oak with fiber extruders to complement their offering of downstream machinery. Red Oak supplies components and downstream filament processing machinery for Davis-Standard's fiber and specialty systems. In either case, the two companies provide an impressive combination of expertise and equipment for all types of fiber processing, often making joint calls to prospective customers.

"My experience with Davis-Standard goes back to the late 1960s when I first started working in extrusion," said Alex Barnette, founder and president of Red Oak Sales. "They have always been known for quality equipment as well as knowledgeable and dependable people. Ever since I started my own company in 1989, we've worked hand-in-hand to supply systems for a variety of fiber applications."

The bulk of Red Oak's business is in traditional high quality, high output monofilament systems. However, with so much manufacturing moving overseas, Red Oak has become more specialized by developing and supplying systems for unique applications including artificial grasses, new carpet materials and fiber optics. The company has also focused on maintaining strong customer relationships and building a stellar reputation. This approach has served them well. In nearly 20 years of business, the company has thrived on word-of-mouth as its primary marketing tool. Barnette has also chosen to keep his business small and his overhead low, utilizing a team consisting of fewer than 10 full-time employees and over 30 well-respected consultants.

"I think our greatest strength is being able to accommodate any fiber forming application," he said. "We are very good at reducing costs and making products more durable. We use the most advanced engineering and manufacturing technology available and if it's a highly specialized application, we have access to consultants with that specialty to help us out."

On average, Red Oak purchases three Davis-Standard extruders per year. These typically include Fibermaster® and Thermatic® models due to their low-maintenance and high-performance, and because they integrate well with Red Oak's downstream equipment. In addition to quality machinery, Barnette is appreciative of his relationship with John Plante, product manager of Davis-Standard's Fiber Business Group.

"John is very straightforward and I can talk to him like a friend. A lot of companies put you on a 'to do' list. John responds to anything I need as quickly as possible."

Nearly 75 percent of Red Oak's business is in the U.S. and Canada with the remainder in Europe, Asia, Mexico and South America. The company's equipment offering includes monofilament extrusion lines and/or components consisting of die heads, self-contained water-quench tanks, high-volume water removal systems, vector driven roll stands with one to nine rolls, hot air ovens, spoolers and winders.

For more information about Red Oak, visit www.redoaksales.com. For more information about Davis-Standard's fiber systems, contact John Plante at jplante@davis-standard.com.

CONTACT
Luann Kupka
Marketing & Sales Administration Manager
Extrusion Systems
860-599-6262

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