A third-generation family owned manufacturer in the heart of Benton Harbor marks 95-years in business on Saturday, becoming one of the oldest die casting firms in the entire nation.
New Products Corporation on North Shore Drive in the city took time out to celebrate their milestone as a team today, and next week, the City of Benton Harbor will mark April 24th through April 30th as New Products Corporation Week in the city, following a proclamation from Mayor Marcus Muhammad who presented the corporation’s owner and Chief Executive Officer Cheryl Miller with that proclamation as a birthday gift to the company.
Miller says, “We’re always injecting ‘new’ into New Products,” and “We are as lean and nimble as ever.” Miller is a third generation family member to run the die cast business, which makes millions of custom aluminum parts every year for the automotive industry, industrial valves, marine engines, and other industries as well.
Employees celebrated today, Friday, the 21st, with a 1920s carnival theme party, Cracker Jacks and hot dogs. The party was sweetened with cupcakes and raffle prizes, including a $95 gift card.
Employees used the party to swap stories like these:
- Byrd Blanchard, a forty year employee, first started as a punch press operator, then went into Die Repair, a time when NPC was “turning out millions of agitators for Whirlpool washers.”
- Fred Wolf, the longest running current employee at fifty-two years, loves New Products so much that he came in even when he wasn’t scheduled.
- Chris Conner, a forty-two year veteran said she is still touched by a gesture of Stanley Miller (son of founder, Walter Miller), who brought apple cider from his farm to her home, spending time to get to know her.
- Mike Selvidge, a thirty-nine year veteran, goes so far back he started his drafting job with pencil and paper.
- Randle Carpenter learned about a die cast position forty years ago from his brother-in-law, who worked at NPC. When a position opened for a truck driver, he filled in until they could find a replacement. Carpenter jokes, “he is still waiting for his replacement.”
- Linda Stright benefitted from NPC’s sponsorship of Junior Achievement in high school. When she was hired for IT just out of college, Stanley asked that she stay at least six months. Thirty-two years later, she’s more than kept her promise, and she paid it forward as a Junior Achievement Advisor for several years.
Stories like those bring home the family business atmosphere, and a uniqueness in employee longevity, averaging twenty years– which is one of New Products’ secrets to success.
New Products is a success story in a difficult industry. The founder, Walter Miller, was an entrepreneurial genius who founded eight Southwest Michigan companies, beginning with New Products. Miller was a pioneer in the die cast industry, receiving commendations for wartime inventions and production. New Products produced millions of parts for post-war consumer products. During the automotive boom, New Products and it’s “brother” (and neighbor) Modern Plastics, invented a unique metal and plastic timing gear for cars that no other manufacturer was able to replicate.
Miller says New Products has survived floods, fires, economic downturns and more, yet continues to stand strong, “and the future looks bright.” New Products bought a mortgage on Modern Plastics in hopes of expanding operations to that vacant property across the street. The business hopes that bankruptcy trustee and property tax issues get favorably resolved so they can move forward.
Meanwhile, the management team is implementing an ambitious new quality system, IATF 16949. The company is also investing in a number of equipment and technology upgrades. New Products is quoting new business and is hiring. If you are interested in working with die cast crew, visit them online at www.NewProductsCorp.com or contact Human Resources for open positions.
Founded in Benton Harbor, Michigan in 1922, New Products Corporation is a global supplier of custom, precision die cast aluminum and zinc parts for applications in a variety of customers, including automotive, military, industrial equipment, medical instruments, household appliances, transportation equipment, furniture, fixtures, and more. TS 16949 certified, NPC is a third generation, woman-owned small business, recognized for its world class quality and on-time delivery. For more information about New Products Corporation, click this link: www.newproductscorp.com.
