This week long time SewBiz friend of SouthStar, Globe Mfg. up in New Hampshire, received due credit for the job they do well every day making protective gear from the website DailyCommerce. Click here to read a very well written article about the company or click the image below to see the video.
January 11, 2015
Grist Columnist: Are you on the verge?
Having been in business 25+ years now, I can look back and realize we were always on the verge of something, I just didn’t exactly know what most of the time.
Well, there were a couple of times we were on the verge of bankruptcy, and I sure knew that. You know it when the wolves are constantly howling at the door.
The first time was just a few years in. A real estate crisis had caused our savings & loan to call our loan even though we were making payments, and then the bank we turned to ended up taken over by the Feds! Jeez Louise. Every day it was, “Is this the day we’re supposed to close the doors?”
My S.O. and I were watching a psychic on a call-in show one night about then. She called in and asked if we were going to get the money we needed. Yep, said the psychic, you will get it from a sort of celebrity who lives outside of town.
By golly, about a week later a fellow walked through our door who lived on the county line and had made a big name for himself in local restaurants. He invested in SouthStar! He was like a small-scale venture capitalist, and though it took years to pay him back, he saved our collective keester. So I learned: weather the storm.
He taught me another lesson about being on the verge from his time in the food biz: be ready for success, too. You better be adequately stocked and staffed to handle popularity, or customers will go away if they have to wait too long for dinner no matter how good your food is.
The bottom line is, if you’re in business you are always on the verge. You better be ready for whatever the winds of fortune send your way. If you’ve got the guts, it can be a great ride!
Happy new year, and thanks for your business!
John F. Rebrovick
service@southstarsupply.com
SouthStar’s new Bulletin #244 is now available. If you are a current customer or a recent addition to our mailing list, it should be showing up in a mailbox near you soon. If not, you can request a copy by writing us or click here to download a copy. Thank you!
January 6, 2015
SewBiz USA: Sewing Equipment Auction in Alabama
Online auction. Childersburg, Alabama. Cut & sew equipment and pallet racking. As-is, where-is, inspection by appointment only. Bidding open now, through 11am, Tuesday, January 13, 2015. For details CLICK HERE.
January 5, 2015
Nashville SewBiz Tucker & Bloom featured by “Money”
Our good friends at case makers Tucker & Bloom have some nice publicity in a recent “Money” article discussing family businesses. We featured Tucker & Bloom in a blog post back in 2012; CLICK HERE to see it. And be sure to check out the “Money” article; CLICK HERE to see that one. And please let us know of other media publicity for a SewBiz in your area and we’ll be happy to pass it along here in our blog.
December 4, 2014
SewBiz USA: Sewing Equipment Auction in Indiana
Online auction only. Preview Tuesday, December 9, 9AM – 5PM EST. Lots begin closing Thursday, December 11 at 10AM. Click here for details.
November 19, 2014
SewBiz USA: Sewing Machine Operators Wanted
So what else is new, right? Everybody needs skilled and willing sewing machine operators. If you are one, and just in case it’s not cold enough for you in the rest of the country, Minnesota wants you now. They’ve got lots of winter wear to get out the door. This notice again comes to us from SEAMS–our friends, and your friends, too, if you are in the sewing business in the U.S.A.:
Sewing Operators and Master Sewing Operators are needed.
Pay based on experience.
Minnesota Knitting Mills, Inc is located at
1450 Mendota Heights Road,
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
All inquiries should be directed to Amanda Nelson, Director of Operations at 651-451-2240, ext.11 or amandaw@mnknit.com
November 17, 2014
SewBiz USA: Custom Workroom Manager Wanted
November 12, 2014
SEAMS Member Online Commerce Group in Montgomery, Alabama has the following position available.
Production Manager Custom Workroom
We are in the process of building out a custom workroom and are seeking a talented individual to lead, train and manage a team of seamstresses and craftsmen skilled in cutting, pattern matching, sewing and finishing custom made cushions, pillows and drapes. This position will lead and manage other team members in supporting roles of receiving, shipping, warehousing and office management. Our business is focused on selling to the high end custom home décor market. Specifically, we specialize in custom cushions, pillows and drapes. You can explore our custom products at cushionsource.com and designercustomsource.com.
Job Responsibilities
- Experienced and knowledgeable production manager skilled in managing, training and driving quality processes in a custom workroom
- Subject matter expert in all aspects of a custom workroom, hand-cutting, sewing and finishing custom cushions, pillows and drapes
- Ability to sew on industrial sewing machines with various furniture grade fabrics
- Experience in training seamstresses in constructing a product from start to finish
- In depth knowledge of pattern layout on print fabric with repeats, stripe fabric and geometric prints
- Ability to construct finished product from templates
- A quick study and able to make quick decisions
and work efficiently - Familiarity with production and quality standards
in a workroom environment - Natural ability to lead and build a culture of team oriented, collaborative, engaged and passionate team members
- Adaptive to learning new products and methods
- Passion for understanding the value of building a cross trained team able to adapt to daily
challenges and work as a team
Education and Skillset Requirements:
- Bachelor degree in related industry ideal but not required.
- To succeed in this position will require someone with a proven track record in a custom workroom as you will be hiring and training your own team.
- 5-10 years managing a custom workroom
- Leadership qualities that define you would be trainer, coach, mentor
Online Commerce Group offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including: Medical
& Dental, Life Insurance, Short & Long Term Disability Insurance, 401K Retirement Plan, Vacation & Flex Days
& Paid Holidays.
To apply for this position, send your resume to jobs@onlinecommercegroup.com or
contact Shelia Norris at 334-387-9873
November 11, 2014
SewBiz USA: Cut & Sew Plant Manager Wanted
November 06, 2014
SEAMS Member has the following position available: PLANT MANAGER
SEAMS Member has the following position available: PLANT MANAGER
JOB DESCRIPTION
As Plant Manager, you will oversee a cut and sew operation to produce products in the most cost effective manner within quality standards. Responsible for achieving optimum labor, and least amount of overhead and raw material costs. Management responsibilities include complying with manufacturing operations strategies, mentoring manufacturing employees, driving business results and developing and implementing policies and procedures including accurate counts of contents.
Job title: Plant Manager
Reports to: VP of Operations
Location: Central / Eastern Georgia
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be easily directed and extremely self sufficient as this position will require a level of independence both in time management and in judgment.
- Candidate must be thorough, self-directed, have good organizational skills (time management), have a better than average sense of urgency and an above average ability to think out of the box.
- Monitor factory performance to ensure delivery deadlines and quality standards are met including monitoring related plant / worker capacity requirements.
- Work cross-functionally with front office (Operations Manager) through production to ensure work orders and product deliveries are completed successfully.
- Ensures standards for equipment maintenance, and operator performance are maintained. Initiates recommendations on purchases of new equipment and improvements to plant property.
- Ensures safety, security, employee relations, scheduling, training, grievances and the like.
- Hires, trains, develops, and appraises staff effectively. Takes corrective action as necessary and on a timely basis and in accordance with company policy
- Communication and Contact: the candidate must communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Company.
- Relationships with Others: The employee works effectively and relates well with others including superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Company. The employee exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works to maintain constructive working relationships.
- Excellent documentation (including writing/updating policies and procedures) and organization skills.
QUALIFICATIONS
- At least 3 – 5 years of experience in a Production, Manufacturing or Plant Manager with apparel manufacturing.
- At least 2 – 3 years sewing experience.
- Experience in managing sewers in a production environment.
- Experience with costing analysis – time and motion studies.
- Prior experience managing a distribution center helpful.
- Quality control on raw materials (e.g., fabric) received in the warehouse all the way to spreading and cutting to the finished product (e.g., ensure orders are manufactured to specifications and quality standards are met).
- Experience administering piece rate incentive programs.
- Proficient in microsoft office – specifically excel and word
Please submit your resume to:
Sarah Friedman
sarah@seams.org
October 28, 2014
SewBiz USA: TMC Apparel Sewing Training
Got a great product but you’re having trouble finding folks to sew it?
From our friends at Behind the Seams comes news of “The Makers Coalition,” which has as its goal training a new generation of cutting and sewing workforce patterned after their first chapter in Minneapolis. To see the full story, CLICK HERE.
