The Garland Co. was celebrated as a 2018 Evolution of Manufacturing honoree for staying ahead of the curve and in tune to the needs of the global economy. Garland was among 12 northern Ohio companies recognized at the Evolution of Manufacturing awards ceremony at the Cuyahoga Community College Advanced Technology Training Center on Feb. 22. The award honors regional manufacturers for their ability to innovate, create and drive processes that result in a positive impact on their bottom line.
Garland is a more than 120-year-old manufacturer that has embraced the sustainable thoughts of the future by developing products designed to focus on increasing the life cycle of a building while also decreasing its footprint. For example, last year, Garland introduced multiple water-based primers and eco-friendly and health conscience coatings that focus on making buildings last longer. To assist in that mentality, its research and development team holds monthly innovation meetings to review current product offerings and determine what changes can be made to improve those products.
But the Garland commitment to excellence doesn’t stop there. Garland innovation leaders understand that product quality extends beyond the walls of the laboratory. So in an effort to ensure the products being sent to customers maintain its standards of quality, a new quality assurance and communications program was developed for its Cleveland manufacturing operations. GMAX, which stands for Garland Manufacturing Attention to Excellence, is a program designed to provide more education to the manufacturing staff and open lines of communication between key players in the product manufacturing process.
“It is an honor to be recognized among northeast Ohio’s most innovative manufacturers,” says Melissa Rus, Garland director of research & development. “Being one step ahead of our customers is a way to remain competitive in this global marketplace. Our goal is to develop the next innovation of our industry before our customers even know they need it.”