Southern Imperial Expands North American Manufacturing Facility

Building Expansion, LEAN Restructuring and Warehouse Management Software Improves Performance

Southern Imperial, Inc., has expanded its 400,000 square foot headquarters and manufacturing/warehousing facility on 1400 Eddy Avenue in Rockford, Illinois. This expansion is a response by management to rearrange its facilities for more LEAN and efficient shipping, to increase production output, to streamline order processing and to improve inventory control. This three-fold improvement will help to significantly boost manufacturing throughput.

"For the past several years, Southern Imperial has been successful in utilizing the resources, methods and processes in delivering valuable solutions to our distributors and customers, but it was necessary to review our position if we wanted to offer even better results," said Stan Valiulis, President and CEO of Southern Imperial, Inc.

Southern Imperial currently maintains production, warehouse and logistic centers in the United States, Canada, Mexico, England, Australia, Shenzhen and now Changzhou, China. The Rockford, Illinois, facility extends the Southern Imperial network allowing them to offer additional warehousing floor space, eight new shipping docks, and increase production capacity utilizing an upgraded prototyping and fabrication facility.

"We have completely rearranged our facility to provide a more efficient LEAN flow from raw materials to shipping," said Valiulis. "Many departments have been through the 5s and Value Stream process and have seen measurable results."

In an ongoing evolution of warehousing and shipping, Southern Imperial has purchased a new warehouse management software package to streamline its order processing and inventory control. Valiulis stated that order picking will be more efficient and staging times eliminated or greatly reduced with the products being located in priority positions in the warehouse.

"We have purchased new mesh and positioning welders, and a CNC high-speed router. The new MIG welding department has been increased by 400% and plastic heat bending technology has been added to allow Southern Imperial to be able to fabricate a wider array of materials for prototypes of custom fixtures and displays," said Valiulis.

The capital investments fulfill several strategic objectives for Valiulis, which include:

1. Improves market position, service portfolio. The capital investments enable Southern Imperial to offer its current and prospective customers in the United States new options including proven service capability for in-country logistics.
2. Fulfiling demand. The retooling and increased staff of its prototyping department allows prototypes to be produced in as little as one or two days.
3. Builds a clearly differentiated product offering. Being fully equipped to produce various solutions in one facility, saving time and money for its customers.