Doug Sharpe
President of Elasto Proxy
This year, Elasto Proxy celebrated its 25th year in business. In June, I shared some reflections about where our family-owned company has been, where we’re going, and what it means for you. Today, as 2014 draws to a close, I’d like to review our year with you, and share a few thoughts about 2015 and beyond. Like any growing global company, Elasto Proxy faces challenges. Yet our challenges represent opportunities, and I’m pleased to report that we’re making the most of them.
Change is the Only Constant
January 2014 seems like a long time ago, but we began the year thinking about a role for rubber seals in rail safety. As you may recall, the December 2013 derailment of an oil train near Casselton, South Dakota reminded us of a similar disaster in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec. The high cost of oil seemed here to stay, but now the price of a barrel has plummeted. Did you see that one coming? Markets are cyclical, of course, but price corrections and even recessions can make winners stronger.
For Elasto Proxy, part of the strength of our business lies in the diversity of the markets that we serve. Defense spending may be down, but there are growing opportunities in other industries. For example, as cars and trucks incorporate more electronic components, demand for EMI shielding will rise. Some business opportunities are global, but there’s still a need to serve local markets, too. Niche players can find a foothold and grow their small businesses into medium-sized enterprises. That’s been our strategy.
Building for the Future
Throughout 2014, Elasto Proxy invested in the future. In August, we announced our acquisition of an infrared film splicer. Did you know that we sold our die-cutter, though? Simply put, keeping it didn’t make sense. Plus, our water jet cutting machine makes fine, fast cuts – and without long lead times or tooling charges. Next year, we plan to invest in a robotic cutting center. 3D printing is hot, and we’ve used it for auto parts prototyping, but there’s a lot to consider as a fabricator.
Technology investments are important, but equipment isn’t Elasto Proxy’s only asset. Cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT) may transform manufacturing, but there will never be a substitute for talented, dedicated employees. In successful organizations, the “human touch” still counts. That’s why Elasto Proxy invests in employee training, and works hard to improve internal processes. We’re proud of our ISO 9001:2008 certification, and continue to embrace lean manufacturing.
How Can We Help You?
People, products, processes, and production equipment are force multipliers here at Elasto Proxy’s headquarters in Boisbriand, Quebec, Canada. We’re also especially grateful for the strong contributions of our solutions providers in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada; Simpsonville, South Carolina, USA; and Shanghai, China. For a company that began in a basement, Elasto Proxy certainly has grown!
So how can we help you? Do you need seals and insulation in 2015, or would you just like to learn more about us? Look for us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Google+, and Twitter. Elasto Proxy has a YouTube channel, too. There, you’ll find our Capabilities video, as well as other informative content. Finally, please subscribe to our free e-newsletters.
Happy holidays, everyone! On behalf of Elasto Proxy, I hope your 2014 was a success – and that your 2015 will be even better.
