Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
web
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • Silicone
    • Latex
    • Coronavirus
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Women in Tire & Rubber
    • ITEC
    • International Elastomer Show
    • HEXPOL Sponsored Content
    • Combined Goodyear-Cooper Tire company has tire tech, sustainability edge
      Cooper Standard ranked among 'World's Most Ethical Companies'
      Bridgestone claims 'novel' polymer advance under 'TechSyn' collaboration
      New Porsche 911 GT3 to feature Michelin fitment
    • Birla Carbon again recognized for sustainability efforts
      Carlisle TyrFil out with new recycling technology
      Bridgestone claims 'novel' polymer advance under 'TechSyn' collaboration
      New Porsche 911 GT3 to feature Michelin fitment
    • ASC seeks presenters for fall convention
      Birla Carbon again recognized for sustainability efforts
      Carlisle TyrFil out with new recycling technology
      Cooper Standard ranked among 'World's Most Ethical Companies'
    • ASC seeks presenters for fall convention
      Birla Carbon again recognized for sustainability efforts
      Bridgestone claims 'novel' polymer advance under 'TechSyn' collaboration
      Cancarb completes sixth unit expansion
    • Stockwell Elastomerics' legacy moves on
      Larger mixers tout economies of scale, along with the need for speed
      Hexpol, Bloom deal with COVID, reorganization, fire since start of 2020
      Small, mid-size compounders keep value, agility, service 'in the mix'
    • Ohio firm focuses on making better masks in U.S.
      U.S. to increase NBR, make gloves using Defense Production Act
      Tire Cologne canceled; rescheduled for 2022
      Tire Technology Expo canceled for 2021
    • Stockwell Elastomerics' legacy moves on
      Dana Inc. hires Byron Foster in executive role
      Dana hires new senior vice president of global operations
      Borealis appoints Thomas Gengl as CEO
    • ASC seeks presenters for fall convention
      VMI, Safe-Run differ over latest ruling in patent case
      U.S. to increase NBR, make gloves using Defense Production Act
      Commerce reduces import duty for Cheng Shin/Maxxis
    • Column: Discussions of race, equality may mean uncomfortable moments
      Column: Business trips possible because of essential workers
      Editorial: Associations see opportunity for progress under new administration
      Editorial: Against a backdrop of turmoil, M&A deals give glimpse of normalcy
    • Studying RPA ASTM methods for detecting compound quality differences
      Damage mechanism in oil and gas formulations during downhole testing
      Advancements in synchronous drive belt design for industrial and consumer markets
      Effects of multiple repurposed materials for reinforcements of standard rubber compounds
    • Rubber Division introduces WORD webinar series
      WORD panelists say evolution, authenticity keys to success
      New video celebrates women in rubber industry
      ITEC panelists say women can thrive in tire industry
    • Goodyear recognized by Lockheed Martin as 'elite supplier'
      EV tire advancements to help secure future
      Lambillotte: Only question on AVs is timing
      CAR official says EV future brighter than autonomous
    • Rubber Division introduces WORD webinar series
      Rubber Division seeks abstracts for 200th Technical Meeting
      WORD panelists say evolution, authenticity keys to success
      IEC keynote: Communication key to logistics
    • Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Faster Access to Your Polymer Compounding Experts Around the World
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Take a walk thru a HEXPOL Lab
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      HEXPOL offers a unique selection of High Performance Elastomers to match your application requirements
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      It’s what you can’t see that makes the Difference at HEXPOL
  • Blogs
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
    • New Products: Starrett expands field-of-view for multi-sensor vision system
      New Products: Nova thinks outside the box with sealing tech
      New Products: MonTech introduces 1,500 kN lab press
      New products: 3M introduces new durable, pliable medical adhesive
    • Wacky World of Rubber: How Trelleborg, teens sealed a spot in the world record book
      Wacky World of Rubber: Of chicken and feet, but not chicken feet
      Wacky World of Rubber: Time to go mattress shopping
      Wacky World of Rubber: Because nothing says football like 'frunk' shrimp
  • Newsletters
    • Rubber in Automotive
    • Silicone News
    • Latex News
    • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Combined Goodyear-Cooper Tire company has tire tech, sustainability edge
      Cooper Standard ranked among 'World's Most Ethical Companies'
      Bridgestone claims 'novel' polymer advance under 'TechSyn' collaboration
      New Porsche 911 GT3 to feature Michelin fitment
    • Stockwell Elastomerics' legacy moves on
      Larger mixers tout economies of scale, along with the need for speed
      Hexpol, Bloom deal with COVID, reorganization, fire since start of 2020
      Small, mid-size compounders keep value, agility, service 'in the mix'
    • Combined Goodyear-Cooper Tire company has tire tech, sustainability edge
      Helixtap launches new digital marketplace for rubber
      Helixtap starts up digital platform for rubber trading
      European Rubber Journal acquired by NUERJ
  • Multimedia
    • Videos
    • Photo Galleries
  • Directory
  • Resources
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
    • Sponsored By HB Chemical
      Above and Beyond with HB Chemical
      Sponsored By HB Chemical
      The Company Behind the Inventory
      Sponsored By French Oil Mill Machinery
      Process Improvement, Cost Reduction with Custom Press Systems
      Sponsored By HB Chemical
      Above and Beyond with HB Chemical
    • Sponsored By Uncountable Inc.
      Labs of the Future: How to Choose a Laboratory Information Management System in 2021
      Sponsored By Uncountable Inc.
      Cooper Standard deploys lab informatics platform to synchronize R&D
      Sponsored By Elkem
      LSR Select™: A solution to improve your financial impact in molding applications
      Sponsored By HEXPOL Compounding
      Peroxide Cureable Silicone Injection Molding
  • Data
  • Events
    • RPN Events
    • RPN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • ITEC Library
    • International Silicone Conference Library
    • 2021 Healthcare Elastomers Virtual Edition
      2021 Rubber in Automotive Virtual Edition
      2021 International Latex Conference Virtual Edition
      2022 ITEC
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. Expansion
April 24, 2020 05:27 PM

Safety stocks keep APS Elastomers agile during pandemic

Andrew Schunk
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    These face masks use TPE resins sourced by APS Elastomers in Westland, Mich.

    WESTLAND, Mich.—APS Elastomers, a distributor of high-performance thermoplastic elastomers, has nearly doubled both its warehouse space and inventory in its new location, improving customer assistance overall and, particularly, for those battling the coronavirus pandemic.

    Deemed an essential supplier, APS said TPEs are "desperately needed" to manufacture products like face masks, adding it also intends to assist small- and medium-size plastics manufacturers in surviving this difficult period by managing its supply chain to offer competitive pricing.

    "APS employees are excited to know they are contributing to the battle against COVID-19 and they are going out of their way to keep the workplace sterilized in a safe work environment," said Roger Huarng, co-owner of APS Elastomers along with Stephane Morin.

    Besides sourcing TPE resins for the face masks manufactured by custom molders in California, Utah and Florida, APS is sourcing TPEs and providing technical services for medical testing tubes and holders; medical tubing; medical device wire jacking; respirator filter housing and mask straps, Huarng said.

    "Our ability to source materials globally ensures availability, and by selecting our supplying partners based on geography and technical know-how, we can provide quality elastomers at competitive pricing," Morin said.

    Besides TPEs, APS Elastomers supplies thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic vulcanizates and styrenic-based TPEs from multiple international sources, allowing APS to be versatile in matching its product to both chemistry and process, Huarng said.

    And at 40,000 square feet, its new warehouse in Westland is nearly twice the size of its previous location 10 miles south in Romulus, Mich., allowing APS to respond quickly with inventory on hand when other domestic TPE suppliers have been adversely affected by the pandemic. Both Westland and Romulus are Detroit suburbs.

    "We have been in operation since the end of February, and the (new) warehouse offers us better material flow and increased inventory," Huarng said. "All our inventory already was moved by the end of February, fortunately."

    He added that though the Westland facility is operational, the compounding line is not yet up and running. APS said it also plans to install a new testing lab at the Westland site.

    The larger warehouse allows APS to meet fluctuating demand during volatile times, Huarng said. Like many other suppliers to OEMs and aftermarket customers in non-essential industries, demand has decreased considerably, while upticks have been realized in other essential markets.

    "We have seen a significant downward trend, up to 60 percent, in automotive, oil and gas, and sporting goods, among others," Huarng said. "But we have also seen increasing demand, up to 40 percent, in IT wire and cable, connectors, kitchen aids, health care and medical devices, and FDA-related products."

    Huarng calls APS "one-stop shopping" for its customers.

    "APS is a full service TPE distributor and compounder," he said, adding the company offers consultation in product design, mold and die design, process trouble shooting, custom formulations and fast responses, generally within 24 hours during normal operations.

    But as these are far from normal operations, APS has limited its warehouse personnel—and the company still boasts delivery times within a week.

    "To better protect our employees, we have limited warehousing operation down to one operator and Thursday weekly shipping only, while all office staff are working remotely from home," Huarng said.

    "The only delay during this move is related to the compounding line."

    Having a business model that advocates increasing safety stock year on year has been fortuitous for APS customers during the pandemic, Huarng said.

    "Recognizing that we are an inventory distributing service for our customers, that's the reason why we have increased our safety stocks year after year," Huarng said.

    APS has nine employees, including two lab technicians, three warehouse workers, two office staffers and two sales representatives, Huarng said.

    Brands that APS markets include Zythane TPUs, Maxelast TPEs and Viprene TPVs, as well as TPE alloys, a compounding series, and custom and standard soft elastomer formulations.

    "We continue to expand and diversify our TPE portfolio by adding new product offerings and aligning ourselves with manufacturing partners to better serve our customers in North America," Morin said.

    APS serves the consumer products, industrial goods, medical, electronic, transportation, wire and cable, sporting goods, appliance and power tool, lawn and garden equipment, household goods, aircraft and aerospace and toy industries.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber & Plastics News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber & Plastics News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber & Plastics News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    web
    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Contact the Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • Silicone
      • Latex
      • Coronavirus
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Women in Tire & Rubber
      • ITEC
      • International Elastomer Show
      • HEXPOL Sponsored Content
    • Blogs
      • Products
      • Wacky World of Rubber
    • Newsletters
      • Rubber in Automotive
      • Silicone News
      • Latex News
      • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Multimedia
      • Videos
      • Photo Galleries
    • Directory
    • Resources
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Data
    • Events
      • RPN Events
      • RPN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • ITEC Library
      • International Silicone Conference Library
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION