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Gabe Dickstein, executive vice president, says Scientific Plastic's attention to quality does not cost more, it saves.
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D&WC: Please describe your company and its history.
Gabe Dickstein: Scientific Plastics was founded in 1986 by Victor Dickstein in a 5,000-square-foot manufacturing and warehousing facility. In 1990, another 10,000-square-foot warehouse was added. In December 1992, the business moved to its present 35,000-square-foot facility located in Miami Lakes, FL. At the present location, Scientific Plastics employs 45 people among its manufacturing, distribution and sales staffs. D&WC: What window coverings products did you handle initially? What products do you handle today? Dickstein: At Scientific Plastics, we originally started out to produce only plastic vertical blind components, but today we offer a full line of vertical components of two different systems: an eight-prong scissors system and a four-prong strap system. Our products include safety wand control systems, metal vertical components, embossed decorative and plain PVC vanes, vertical fabrics, drapery components, aluminum track and pinions, pneumatic machinery for fabricating vertical and two-inch horizontal blinds, and even a new fabricator folding door program making us a true super source. D&WC: Give a percentage breakdown of these products. What one product or line stands out above the rest? Dickstein: The percentage of our manufacturing business versus distributing and wholesale is about 30 percent to 70 percent, respectively. Our distributing business has grown over the years to presently surpass the manufacturing portion. With the addition of our new vertical track system, Ameri-Glide, the manufacturing business will grow, but at the same time the wholesaling of all its related component products also should increase accordingly. D&WC: Is your business computerized? Dickstein: Our business is completely computerized from order entry to payables, receivables and inventory control. In December 1997 we upgraded our computer system to include a dedicated file server system from a top leading-brand supplier. We also have added two computer systems to our shipping department, which are linked directly with RPS/UPS and Federal Express, our shipping services. We presently are able to be live on-line with their terminals and get instant shipping information such as delivery dates, times and packages received. Also, we get faxed computer reports from our major LTL carriers with information on delivery times of each individual shipment to any part of the continental United States. Since November 1997 we have been on the World Wide Web with our own site at www.sciplastics.com, which very soon will be upgraded with a new look and much more information. D&WC: Who are your customers? What parts of the country do you service? Dickstein: Our customers range from small- to medium-size fabricators along with some major ones. We cater to the I-need-it-today customer. All orders are shipped the same day or within 24 hours. Service is our priority. We have a toll free telephone and toll free fax order line. All orders faxed to us are confirmed for shipping dates. Also, we are planning to have an on-line order form very soon through our Web site. We have customers all over the country including Hawaii and Alaska. We also cover all of Central and South America as well as the Caribbean. Very soon, with the addition of our Ameri-Glide system, we will be able to penetrate European markets through key distributors around the continent. D&WC: Where do you see your company five years from now? Dickstein: Scientific Plastic's business/marketing plan recognizes that the window coverings industry offers the opportunity for growth in sales volume and market share. We believe it is possible to double in sales volume in the next five years and gain a significant percentage of the marketplace. We will maintain the best possible service. We also will increase our customer base and increase business with those who presently purchase from us. We firmly believe this existing customer base can give us an extra 25 to 30 percent increase in business with our present product lines. We continually will introduce new products and product selling features and merchandising tools to gain a greater share of each window covering dollar. D&WC: What are your strengths in the marketplace? What are some of the key factors involved in your growth and success? Dickstein: We have an outstanding product line and the merchandising skills to best service the needs and requirements of our existing and new customers. For nearly a decade we have established our credentials as a growth-oriented, full-line supplier. The key factors to our growth and success are: state-of-the-art technology, high-quality products, excellent service and prompt delivery, cost reduction and efficiency, knowing and understanding the marketplace and keeping keenly aware of the needs of our customers. Our strengths are: being a one-stop shop for vertical blind fabricators, delivery and service, quality control of all our products, cost efficiency, having a great team of employees to make it all happen and quick action and reaction to changes. To best prosper in today's window coverings industry a manufacturer or supplier must be extremely dynamic and diversified in its products and in its approach to the market. Our plan to be a full-line supplier of components, aluminum track and pinion gear, PVC, fabrics, machinery and folding doors will continue to assure both our success and the success of our customers. People are the most important resource of any organization and Scientific Plastics is no exception. This philosophy presents the opportunity for a winning combination: our customers and us. We have a variety of resources ranging from technical to financial and a creative point of view that will enhance sales opportunities for our customers. D&WC: What distinguishes you from the competition? Dickstein: Scientific Plastics continues to require its sales organization to improve its knowledge of our products and of our customers' needs. This assures us that we can plan effectively for our existing and new product development in combination with the numerous sales and service programs we plan on making available. We further plan to achieve a leadership position in our industry by virtue of the value and innovation of our products, the dependability of our service and our business integrity. We believe our added attention to quality does not cost more, it saves. Our present and new products goals will be not to meet quality standards, but to establish the highest quality standards.
Scientific Plastics, Inc.
5854 Miami Lakes Dr. E. |
| DWC Magazine
| Index to Articles | Back Issues | May '98