Check out this video tour of Mack’s Headquarters Plant, where most of its contract manufacturing services are provided! This case study of f’real foods’ commercial blender — over 400 components and 75 suppliers — illustrates the depth of our vertical integration of molding and manufacturing services.
Mack Featured in Plastics Technology Magazine
Plastics Technology Executive Editor Matt Naitove visited Mack’s headquarters plant this summer, resulting in a six-page feature article that was just published in the November issue of the magazine. Naitove talks about Mack’s vertical integration of services, its quest to become ‘China-proof,’ growth in the medical manufacturing arena, diversification into other markets, and much more. Click on the photo for the whole story.
Sandy Kind to Vermont
Hurricane Sandy was, fortunately, a non-event in Vermont. We had no power outages or flooding, and all of our plants continued normal operations. Our thoughts are with our customers and suppliers that were not so lucky. If there is anything that we can do to assist you in the days ahead, please contact us at any of our facilities. We stand ready to help!
Jeff Somple
President, Northern Division
Mack Molding
Scott Curtis: Vietnam Vet Builds 42-Year Career at Mack…and Still Counting!
Editor’s Note: Another Mack is ME! post, this series spotlights the people and personalities behind our services. Check back frequently or subscribe to the feed, as these profiles will be interspersed with news updates on a regular basis. We hope you’ll enjoy getting to know us!
Name: Scott Curtis
Title: Senior Technician, East Arlington Plant
What does that mean? Technicians are the masterminds behind starting up the injection molding presses. Whenever a new tool comes in, molding technicians “debug” it. They figure out what times and temperatures are needed to make each part and input those parameters and more into the process control system. As a senior technician, Scott is responsible for defining the process parameters required to meet each product’s specifications.
Time at Mack: Almost 43 years.
Experience: Scott spent six years in the Marine Corps after graduating high school in Arlington, Vt. He was stationed all over the world, in places such as North Carolina, the Caribbean, Vietnam, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and California. He was working toward becoming a drill instructor, but after the Vietnam War, decided to leave the service. Scott joined the Mack team when he returned to Vermont, and has since become a 40+-year veteran of the East Arlington plant’s molding department. Starting as a press operator, Scott was eventually promoted to molding supervisor, and now, senior technician.
Favorite Mack project: Several years ago, a customer asked Mack to make 50 parts for a frame. However, the mold wasn’t ready to run when it arrived at Mack. Scott and his team worked around the clock to get the parts out the door the next day so as not to disappoint the customer. Even though it was a long day (and night!) of work, it brought the Mack team together and demonstrated that no task was too difficult for Scott and his fellow workers.
Personal Life: Scott is originally from Arlington, where he lived until joining the Marines. He continues to make his home there today with his wife of 43 years, Connie, who is now retired. Together, they have three adult children: one son and two daughters. His son is involved in engineering and construction; one daughter is a nurse; and the second is a housewife. Scott has eight grandchildren.
When Not at Work: Scott enjoys hunting and fishing near his home in Vermont. On weekends, he gets involved in various construction projects, as time allows. He enjoys building houses and additions, and has worked with several construction businesses, including his son-in-law’s. He also enjoys spending time with his family.
Fun Fact: Scott’s father worked in Mack’s Shipping and Receiving Department, so Scott has been a part of the Mack family since he was a child.
John Preiser: Fitness Enthusiast Finds Medical Manufa/cturing Rewarding
Editor’s Note: With this post, we are introducing a new blog series — Mack is ME! — to spotlight the people and personalities behind our services. Check back frequently or subscribe to the feed, as these profiles will be interspersed with news updates on a regular basis. We hope you’ll enjoy getting to know us!
Title: Supplier Engineer
What does that mean? John works in the purchasing department of MackMedical, the medical products group of Mack Molding, where he sources, quotes, and qualifies suppliers for MackMedical. He manages supplier quality and assists in manufacturing.
Time at Mack: 5 years.
Favorite Mack memory: During his first year at Mack, John attended the annual Mack Holiday party, where snow is made (if Mother Nature has been frugal). There are sleigh rides, cookie decorating, a Christmas tree lighting, an enormous fireworks display, and a special appearance by Santa. He was impressed and moved by the company’s efforts. “Mack takes care of its employees,” he emphasized.
Most memorable work project: John works on a Class III medical device that allows low body weight patients (such as children) to receive treatment for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Mack has received positive feedback from both customers and health care providers. Through a world-wide map that illustrates all installations of the medical device, members of the Mack team can really see how many people are being helped. “Hearing feedback directly from patients is so rewarding. It’s clear that the products we manufacture are truly helping people.”
Experience: John majored in electrical engineering technologies at Old Dominion University in Virginia. He then worked for IBM. As a supplier to Mack, John worked at Nexus Custom Electronics. He was an engineering manager there before joining the Mack team.
Personal life: John grew up in southern New York and spent 10 years in Los Angeles before moving back to the East Coast. He relocated to Arlington three years ago from Rutland, Vt. John’s wife, Nicole, teaches physics at Burr and Burton Academy in Manchester, Vt., and his son, Adam, is 9. The latest addition to John’s family is a puppy named Cleo (inspired by Cleopatra).
When not at work: He is an avid cyclist and formerly raced mountain bikes in southern California. You can find him outside hiking, camping, biking all over Vermont and New York, or enjoying winter sports.
Fun fact: John is probably the only person to drive a motorcycle with a bike rack attached to the back. Have you seen him before? It’s possible, as he has quite the paparazzi following.