Glove companies form joint venture

WALLED LAKE, Mich. (Jan. 9)—Great Lakes Glove and Safety and Carolina Glove Co. have formed a joint venture to expand their manufacturing and distribution bases and to improve their presence in the automotive industry. The companies will produce gloves and other products for both auto makers and their suppliers, a spokeswoman of the two companies said. The alliance broadens Great Lakes Gloves´ "capabilities beyond distribution and warehousing of gloves and safety equipment, and strengthens our competitive position globally," said Dale Freel, vice president of Great Lakes Gloves, a certified minority business. In effect, the venture links Carolina´s manufacturing expertise with Great Lakes Glove´s marketing strength in the automotive industry, he said. Corporate offices for the joint venture will be at Great Lakes Gloves´ headquarters in Walled Lake. Products will be made under the Great Lakes Gloves name and manufactured at Carolina Gloves´ Conover, N.C., plant.