For U.S. manufacturers, to survive means to adapt.
In Rhode Island, known historically for its manufacturing, the trend has forced many businesses to re-create themselves, and Desmark Industries Inc. is doing just that.
“I’ve been doing this for 35 years, and trying to stay on top of things – to identify what your strengths are and to build on them – takes a lot,” said John Caito III, president and owner of the Cranston-based company.
Desmark is known for its custom-made ornaments and designs, creating commemorations for companies, universities and other organizations. But the company is expanding on what Caito calls its strengths, and recently launched a new division called Amerisewn, which designs, engineers and manufactures complex stitched products.
The company – which does most of its work for third-party businesses, which then label and sell them – decided to launch Amerisewn to market and capitalize on the in-house work it does.
“We weren’t able to show a lot of the products we make,” Caito said. “With the rebranding with Amerisewn, we can show our capabilities.”
To date, the company has specialized largely in military-grade, protective equipment. From helmets and training equipment to boxing gloves and body armor, the company designs and manufactures the gear on a contractual basis, and much of it ends up being used by the U.S. armed forces.
“We do all the private labels for them, but making products for other people, you can’t really say you made them,” Caito explained.
The company has been working with Polaris MEP, a nonprofit management consult, to identify how it can grow its business, which eventually led to the launch of Amerisewn.
Caito says he’s now looking to add about eight more employees to his 26-employee team, which comprises engineers, designers and fabricators.
“We try to make it a good place to work because I hear a lot of stories about companies that are not pleasant to work for. … We want to make sure we have a really great team here,” he said.
The company in May was awarded nearly $50,000 to work with the University of Rhode Island to research and develop textile composites for use in body armor, according to R.I. Commerce Corp. Caito says the new product could apply to several industries, including medical and athletics.
The grant was awarded as part of the state’s Innovation Voucher program, which provides funding for companies with fewer than 500 employees to conduct research and development projects in collaboration with a Rhode Island university, research center or medical center.
Looking forward, Caito wants to add at least another 20-30 more jobs over the next decade. Looking back, he sees how far his company has come since he took it over in 2006, and hopes to build on past success.
“We’ve been able to hang on through the tough times, and really re-establish where we’re going,” he said. “I want to be able to really capitalize on the talents of our employees, and grow good jobs.”
OWNER: John Caito III, owner and president
TYPE OF BUSINESS: Designer and manufacturer
LOCATION: 530 Wellington Ave., Cranston
EMPLOYEES: 26
YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2006
ANNUAL SALES: WND