Mr. Chain
 | The topic of this article may not meet Wikitia's general notability guideline. |
| Private | |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Founder | Michael T. Russo |
| Headquarters | Copemish, Michigan |
| Website | mrchain |
M. R. Products, also known as Mr. Chain, is an American plastic chain and stanchion manufacturer based in Copemish, Michigan.[1][2] It was founded by Michael T. Russo in 1960.
History
Mr. Chain's founder Michael T. Russo began his career as an engineering student at Ohio State University in 1941. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he joined the Army Air Corps, where he earned recognition as both the first Mustang ace and the sole A-36 Apache Ace during World War II.[3]
On May 16, 1960, Russo founded M. R. Products in Madison Heights, Michigan.[4]
In a notable move in 1969, spurred by land incentives from smaller communities in exchange for potential employment opportunities, Russo relocated the production operations to Copemish, Michigan.[5] However, the company's corporate office remained in suburban Detroit.[3]
Throughout its history, M. R. Products expanded its product line beyond automotive parts. One such diversification led to the development of a patented reseal cap for Teem, which was subsequently acquired by Pepsico.[3] Another product developed was a plastic chain, created using an injection molding technique that allowed for continuous chain lengths while maintaining individual link mobility.[6] This product became the primary focus of "Mr. Chain."[3][6]
After Russo's death in 2006, the company's management transitioned to his descendants.[6] The subsequent years brought both challenges and milestones, including temporary layoffs during an economic downturn.[3]
By 2016, the company reported producing 9 million feet of plastic chain.[3]
In 2020, Mr. Chain expanded its manufacturing facility and doubled its workforce amid high demand for visual barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]
Mr. Chain's products have been used in several films, TV series, and local events such as the National Cherry Festival, Traverse City Film Festival, and Manistee County Fair.[3]
Products
Mr. Chain manufactures visual barrier products. Its chains are manufactured using UV stabilizers making them suitable for areas where visual barriers are required. The company provides plastic chains in nine sizes, three styles, and various colors.[3]
Mr. Chain has an in-house catalog that lists its products, which includes stanchions made with an extrusion machine and various accessories.[3]
Manufacturing
The raw plastic materials used by Mr. Chain are sourced from the Gulf Coast and transported to Clare via rail before being moved by semi-truck to Copemish.[3]
To improve its operations, Mr. Chain has adopted lean business practices. As part of its efficiency measures, the company has transitioned from older hydraulic machines to newer electric or hybrid models, adopted vegetable-based dyes, and uses 40-degree water for machine cooling.[3]
References
- ↑ Urban, Mark (May 13, 2020). "Mr. Chain aids distancing in NYC, elsewhere". Traverse City Record-Eagle.
- ↑ Record-Eagle, David L. Barber Special to the (April 25, 2021). "Momentum 2021: Manufacturers put on running shoes". Traverse City Record-Eagle.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 Urban, Mark (February 9, 2018). "On the Mr. Chain gang". Traverse City Record-Eagle.
- ↑ Fedder, Michelle (February 13, 2023). "Northwest Michigan businesses receive $1.7M from state grants". Manistee News Advocate.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Urban, Mark (July 15, 2020). "MR Products expanding". Traverse City Record-Eagle.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Barber, David L. (April 25, 2021). "Momentum 2021: Mr. Chain links sales with safety". Traverse City Record-Eagle.
External links
This article "Mr. Chain" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical. Articles taken from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be accessed on Wikipedia's Draft Namespace.