Today's Guest: Rodney Werly of PDM Industries in Traverse City, Michigan
Today's Host: John Bentley
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Rodney Werly Transcript Page
Rodney Werly Expert PageANNOUNCER: Welcome to the VTalk Radio Local Business Spotlight, and now here's your host, John Bentley.
JOHN: Today on VTalk Radio's Local Business Spotlight we have the president of PDM Industries, Rodney Werly, joining us. Welcome to the program, Rodney.
RODNEY: Well thank you. Thanks for having me.
JOHN: Now PDM Industries is a coating and molding specialist.
RODNEY: That is correct. We've been in business now for 36 years.
JOHN: 36 years, great. Now coating and molding specialists; what kind of industries are you doing business with, Rodney?
RODNEY: Well we work with the automotive industry and we also get into military coding and moldings and also marine and office furniture industries.
JOHN: As well as medical I would imagine.
RODNEY: Yes. Medical tool handles. We're probably about 55% automotive, 30% military, and the balance being the sporting goods, hardware, office furniture.
JOHN: What sporting goods things are you coating?
RODNEY: We've done anything from water ski handles if you can believe that to hitch covers for boats and what not. Pretty extensive battery terminal covers.
JOHN: Oh, yeah, sure. Now I would imagine you do quite extensive work with the military. What are some of the things you're doing for the military?
RODNEY: We do wire guiding for the F-16s. We do the handles that the soldiers use to steer the Tomahawk missiles and what not that they shoot off of the Humvees. A lot of gun mounts, rifle racking, pretty much you name it. If it's got a sharp edge they want to control the rattle, we can certainly coat it for them.
JOHN: Now, in the automotive industry I would imagine that you are dealing with a lot of tools. Would that be the case?
RODNEY: Lot of clips, hood latches. We do a lot of rattle control, vibration issues, as far as eliminating those, and even some safety protection covering sharp edges.
JOHN: Let's talk about the processes that you actually are using to coat these pieces and parts that you do. What is plastisol?
RODNEY: Plastisol is a liquid PVC material, and what we do is we keep the part up in what we call a pre-heating process, and then we dip it into a room temperature liquid material. The heat causes the material to cling to the part, and then we run it through a post heat or tearing phase, and then it goes through cooling inspection and packaging.
JOHN: Now this a lot of small little parts you guys are doing?
RODNEY: We can do parts very tiny, but we also have the capabilities of doing parts anywhere from 10 - 14 feet long.
JOHN: And that's for the Plastisol dip coating.
RODNEY: Correct. That's for the Plastisol dip coating.
JOHN: Now what if you have a part that's even larger than that?
RODNEY: We can create a mimic of the edges of the part and then come up with what we call a molding which is a removable Plastisol sleeve and then the customer would apply that covering to whatever their requirement is there.
JOHN: Now what would be the big advantage over the Plastisol dip coating as opposed to the molding?
RODNEY: Well if a part can not be heated in our oven, one solution is designing a mandrel mimicking that part, and then we would create that cap or sleeve for the customer to install. The other option may be that the part can not be removed that's in need of the protective coating or sharp edge covering if you will, and then from that we could design a mandrel and then provide them with that cover.
JOHN: Now everybody has tools in their garage from hammers to pliers and what have you. Is this something that you guys...are you guys doing tools like that and is that...what are the advantages of having molding on this kind of stuff?
RODNEY: We do. We do a variety of different tool handles, crimping tools. In the airline industry, all of their tool boxes have our covers on them. They have a variety of different crimping tools in there, and that is both commercial and military aircraft. Even on the space shuttle and the advantage that you get from the sleeves if you will on the tool handles are comfort. It is also an insulating factor if you're working around electricity. It insulates the metal to hand contact and can protect the worker.
JOHN: Now, there is a whole number of other things that you guys do also at PDM Industries, and we're going to tackle that in the next segment, but before we take a break, Rodney, would you kindly give your website address and contact information for our listening audience.
RODNEY: I can. Our website address is www.pdmind.com. Our phone number is (231) 943-9601, fax number (231) 943-8169.
JOHN: We are on the phone with the president of PDM Industries, Rodney Werly, and you're listening to VTalk Radio's Local Business Spotlight. We're going to take a break, we'll be right back after these important messages. Stay tuned.
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ANNOUNCER: VTALK RADIO.
ANNOUNCER: PDM Industries has been supplying high quality custom coatings and moldings for over 30 years. From military and automotive applications to furniture, hardware, sporting goods, medical and marine coatings. PDM offers the same personalized service to customers needing one part as those needing thousands. For more information on coating and molding and other services, please contact PDM at (800) 789-2610 or visit www.pdmind.com. PDM is proudly ISO 9001 and 2000 registered.
ANNOUNCER: We now return you to the VTalk Radio Local Business Spotlight with your host, John Bentley.
JOHN: Welcome back to VTalk Radio's Local Business Spotlight. We are in the studio via the telephone with the president of PDM Industries, Rodney Werly. PDM Industries specializing in coatings and moldings solutions. Welcome to the program, Rodney.
RODNEY: Thank you.
JOHN: Now we've been talking about Plastisol dip coating and molding. That's not all you do is it?
RODNEY: No. We do do prep work and some light assembly work as well.
JOHN: What about shipping this kind of stuff out? You guys provide any kind of packaging services?
RODNEY: Well we have extremely short lead times. Just in time delivery which is a very important feature in today's market.
JOHN: And what about other forms of coating that you do?
RODNEY: We do some fluidized bed coating working with powder and polyethylene coatings, and then we do also have custom screen printing available as well if the customer has a desire to add a logo to the finished product.
JOHN: Now you guys also work with vinyl Plastisols. What are vinyl Plastisols and what are the benefits of using them?
RODNEY: Vinyl Plastisol is the PVC type Plastisol. Vinyl is just if you will another word for it. And it's got all the great features as far as electrical insulating, protection of sharp edges, rattle-vibration control.
JOHN: Now you can do custom work for your customers too, can't you?
RODNEY: We can, yes.
JOHN: So let's say a customer only has a few small parts that they need done. Will you guys do small amounts, you know, or is there a requirement of what kind of business you do?
RODNEY: We have absolutely no minimums. We get just as excited about a job that may have one - two pieces as somebody who may have up to a million pieces. After all ten small jobs - ten equal one large one, and we will provide the same quick turn around and excellent service no matter what the quantity.
JOHN: And that works out really good for your customers, I would imagine. Especially if they're designing a prototype.
RODNEY: Exactly, and going from either prototype to the production world, a lot of times the coating that we're putting on is one of the last steps in the operation. So most of the time when we get the product, the stamper, the e-coater, the plater, they've all eaten up all the available lead time so usually things are needed pretty quickly once we get them.
JOHN: What about cutting and trimming and hole punching? Do you guys offer those kinds of services?
RODNEY: We certainly do. We have the ability to trim whatever is required after coating, whether it's putting a square, or some sort of a mark into the part or punching a hole in it. You bet.
JOHN: Now what about color matching? Maybe even custom color matching? Do you provide that service?
RODNEY: We do. We have, first of all, a huge variety of in stock colors, but if for some reason our stock colors are not making the grade, if you will, we have the ability to color match via some sort of color sample any color.
JOHN: Now what about...I would imagine you guys have to deal with that kind of subject with the military and auto industry, don't you?
RODNEY: Yes, we do. We do carry in stock military spec materials meaning the MIL-P 20689 and also the auto spec materials GM, Ford, Chrysler, and even Toyota.
JOHN: Are you guys ISO registered?
RODNEY: We are. We are ISO 9001 2000 registered.
JOHN: That's a pretty important thing isn't it?
RODNEY: It is. You're not in business without it now days.
JOHN: Well we certainly appreciate you joining us on VTalk Radio's Local Business Spotlight, Rodney.
RODNEY: Thank you.
JOHN: Now before I let you go, kindly give your website and contact information one more time please.
RODNEY: Absolutely. It's www.pdmind.com. Phone number (231) 943-9601. Fax number (231) 943-8169.
JOHN: We hare been on the phone with the president of PDM Industries, Rodney Werly. They are your coatings and moldings specialists, and you have been listening to VTalk Radio's Local Business Spotlight. Have a great afternoon everyone.
ANNOUNCER: You have been listening to the VTalk Radio's Photography Spotlight; only www.vtalkradio.com on Radio for the 21st Century.
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