Posted November 12, 2014
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Safe Reflections, a global technology leader in providing reflective apparel solutions to the occupational safety, consumer active wear and military training markets, has completed construction of its new facility in Oakdale, Minn., increasing its production capacity by nearly 50 percent and creating 13 new jobs this year.
The new facility boasts 39,000 square feet of new office, production and R&D space, anchored by an indoor night demonstration facility that allows naked-eye observations of reflective materials at a variety of distances and angles. The facility lets customers see how their clothing designs perform in different light conditions and highlights the performance of Safe Reflections’ exclusive glass bead reflective technology.
In the last few weeks Safe Reflections has already had five current and potential customers visit their new facility, including VF Imagewear.
Safe Reflections invests in Minnesota facility
“We were fortunate to be the first group to visit Safe Reflections in their new facility, a spacious and aesthetically beautiful work space with specific areas dedicated to development, testing, rolled goods production and marketing,” said Sandra LeNoir, merchandise manager of customization for VF Imagewear, a Safe Reflections customer.
Safe Reflections’ proximity to 3M, its main supplier of reflective material and one of its top customers, was a key consideration for Safe Reflections to renew its commitment to U.S.-based manufacturing and the Twin Cities economy. Safe Reflections employs 51 people at its new Oakdale facility – up from 34 employees one year ago – and is on track to create three additional jobs by year-end.
“For more than 21 years, Safe Reflections has set the standard of quality and innovation in the reflective apparel marketplace. Our new plant allows us to continue that tradition and meet the rapidly increasing demand we’re seeing from our military, occupational safety and sportswear customers,” said Chuck Gruber, president and COO for Safe Reflections. “We are committed to U.S. manufacturing and demonstrating to other producers the advantages of maintaining and expanding U.S. production.”
“The global market for reflective material used for garments is rapidly growing,” he added. “Having the resources for continued innovation is critical to the success of our business, and we are thrilled to have a new facility that will benefit Safe Reflections, the global market for reflective textiles, and the Twin Cities manufacturing economy.”
Source: Safe Reflections