PBN MANUFACTURING AWARDS 2020 | Overall Excellence, 150-499 employees: igus Inc.
WITH MORE THAN 50 years of experience developing and producing engineered plastics, Cologne, Germany-based igus understands manufacturing.
The family-owned business started in a double garage in 1964. Since then, it has enjoyed continued growth and success by remaining innovative while providing customers quick and accurate service.
Igus’ core centers around four product lines – energy chain cable carrier systems, chainflex flexible motion cables, iglide self-lubricating bearings, and drylin linear bearings and guides. They all focus on the idea of plastics in motion and utilize proprietary plastic materials. Igus components are found in multiple industries, including aerospace, machinery, lab equipment, automotive, food and beverage packaging, and offshore equipment.
In 1985, the company expanded its global reach by opening its North American headquarters, igus inc., in Rhode Island, and has operated out of East Providence since 2013. The 175,000-square-foot facility currently houses 425 employees and nearly 30,000 products that are mostly processed and shipped to customers within a day.
Igus inc.’s revenue reached $134 million in 2019, a figure that has doubled over the past 10 years.
“Igus provides a full line of motion plastics products to customers who are looking to improve the function of their machines with respect to increased part life and/or lower cost,” igus Vice President Rick Abbate said. “I get the most satisfaction when working alongside my colleagues, who, in most cases, have been with igus for as many years as I have [21 years]. The best times are when we complete a very challenging project together that clearly has made a large impact.”
Growth recently continued at igus. The company built a 50,000-square-foot expansion that includes an employee recreation facility for social gatherings, volleyball games and other team-building events.
The company also installed a new 3D printing operation that now allows customers to upload needed parts directly to igus’ website. Parts are then printed with the same proprietary material offered in igus’ standard wear-resistant and self-lubricating products. These custom parts can be ordered, printed and shipped within one to two days.
Igus was also recently awarded a contract to retrofit an outdoor, moving sign that is owned by The Coca-Cola Co. in Times Square in New York City.
“This sign is truly a state-of-the-art piece of technology as it moves dynamically to provide a 3D effect,” Abbate said. “Igus was contacted by the manufacturer of the sign after the product they originally designed was failing in the field and was not able to run for New Year’s Eve, the biggest opportunity of the year to advertise in Times Square. Igus designed a more robust solution and has since solved this problem and the retrofit process is currently underway.”
Green manufacturing practices are critical to igus. The company recently unveiled a free recycling program for customers to dispose of any products in need of upgrading or replacement. Customers, in return, receive an igus credit.
“Our products are also lubrication-free, saving tons of waste contaminating the environment,” said Kayla Abbate, igus’ corporate recruiter and event coordinator. “One-third of the total fuel in passenger cars is used to overcome friction in engine, transmission, tires and breaks. Our products do not have this effect on these parts, therefore saving car fuel.”
In addition to offering a bearing made from recycled material, igus also planted 2,500 trees, one for each of its VIP customers, this year in lieu of sending gifts.
Kayla Abbate, who has been with igus for more than five years, said the company is all-inclusive and supportive, treating each employee like family.
“I enjoy working for igus because of the opportunity for growth and the people,” she said. “The majority of our managers have worked at igus for over 10 years and their knowledge and passion for what they do really motivates me. Igus really values its employees and would rather create a role for someone who wants more of a challenge than lose them altogether.”
COVID-19 UPDATE
As a government-designated essential business, igus inc. has continued to provide components to industries, including the medical field, and has not had to downsize any of its operations.
In addition to having its production team workers split shifts to reduce the amount of traffic in the building and enabling more than 100 employees to work remotely, the company has also increased cleaning, especially on and around commonly touched areas.
The manufacturer also is restricting visitors, monitoring employee temperatures, implementing staggered breaks for employees in order to reduce congestion in the cafeteria, and has implemented social distancing, reduced bathroom usage to 50% and provided masks to all employees.
