Blog Archives – Universal Metal Products

Women’s History Month: Celebrating Amazing Women in Business

Lina Miller on March 1, 2024

Women’s History Month is the perfect time to celebrate the women who paved the path for women all over the world and created so many opportunities that we continue to enjoy to this day. As a female-owned company with many women on our staff, UMP is extremely grateful for the opportunities that these women have created. Universal Metal Products would not be the company it is today without the historical female trailblazers who fought against societal norms and overcame adversity to achieve greatness.

We invite you to join us in celebrating Women’s History Month by acknowledging the women who have helped to shape the business landscape, particularly those who have broken through the glass ceiling and challenged societal norms to make the world a better place for women everywhere.

Celebrating Historical Women in Business

There have been so many women who have shaped the business world that it’s hard to list them all! With that said, here is a list of some of the most important women in the history of business:

Madam C.J. Walker: Born Sarah Breedlove, she overcame poverty and hardship to become America’s first self-made female millionaire. Madam C.J. Walker developed a revolutionary line of hair-care products and cosmetics specifically designed for black women. Her business empire not only broke financial barriers but championed entrepreneurship and social justice within the black community.
Olive Ann Beech: Often referred to as the “First Lady of Aviation”, Olive Ann Beech played a pivotal role in shaping the aviation industry. In 1932, she co-founded Beech Aircraft Corporation alongside her husband. Upon his passing, she stepped up as president and CEO, demonstrating remarkable business savvy. Under her guidance, Beech Aircraft became a powerhouse of general aviation, and during World War II, a vital supplier of military aircraft with over 7,400 planes built for the war effort. Beech’s leadership expanded the company’s influence in both civilian and military aviation sectors, leaving a lasting impact on the industry.
Estée Lauder: This visionary entrepreneur began by selling homemade skincare products and built a global beauty empire that still bears her name.
Elizabeth Arden: A fierce rival of Estée Lauder, Florence Nightingale Graham (known as Elizabeth Arden) pioneered the concept of the modern beauty salon. She revolutionized the industry by blending skincare, cosmetics, and a focus on the complete beauty experience.
Coco Chanel: Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel rose from humble beginnings to become a fashion icon. Her designs epitomized modern elegance and liberated women from the restrictive corsets of her time. Her influence reached beyond clothing into jewelry, fragrances, and accessories, building one of the most recognizable luxury brands in the world.
Oprah Winfrey: A broadcasting titan, Oprah created a self-made media empire encompassing television, magazines, film production, and philanthropy. From her groundbreaking talk show to her global book club, Oprah Winfrey’s influence has transcended the business world, inspiring and empowering millions around the globe.

About UMP

Universal Metal Products is a female-owned company that helps with the creation of metal components for the automotive, appliance, and industrial industries. We are able to create a variety of custom and standard components for vehicles, HVAC units, refrigerators, electronics, sub pumps, and much more. Along with volunteering, championing noble causes, and charity, we value equality. This is why we focus on creating a culture of inclusivity. We do this by offering family-friendly policies and work shift hours, equal pay for equal work, and a dedication to providing a positive and harassment-free workplace environment.

We hope you join us in celebrating Women’s History Month by learning more about the amazing women who have shaped history and the women who continue to break new ground, innovate, and lead their teams to success.

If you are looking for metal stamping services, contact us! We’d be happy to speak with you. We proudly work with female-led and operated companies and people of all backgrounds and ethnicities.

To learn more about our employment opportunities visit our Careers page today.

It’s American Heart Month! Join UMP in Recognizing the Importance of Heart Health

Lina Miller on February 1, 2024

At UMP, heart health is something we take to heart (pun intended). Along with our ongoing dedication to providing clients with high-quality metal components, we also are proud of our focus on our community and raising awareness for conditions that affect us all.

Heart health is of the utmost importance, but many people aren’t aware of how to best take care of their heart and prevent health issues like heart disease and heart attacks. For some quick tips to better support your heart health, consider the tools and materials provided by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. These important resources could literally save your life!

UMP encourages our customers and partners to spread awareness of American Heart Month and what can best be done to prevent heart-related illnesses. Some additional resources to consider include:

The American Heart Association: https://www.heart.org/
The State of Nevada Guide: https://risk.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/risknvgov/content/About/February.pdf
The Illinois.gov Guide: https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee/bewell/awarenessmatters/february-is-heart-health-awareness-month.html

Supporting Heart Health Through Donations: The UMP Foundation

UMP understands how important it is to support organizations that serve the needs of those most at risk, research cures, treat ailments, and serve the underprivileged. In order to help those in need, Universal Metal Products founded The UMP Foundation.

The UMP Foundation is a non-profit that was established back in 2004 with the mission of contributing financial support to top charitable organizations, including those that help treat patients with heart-related issues. Through The UMP Foundation, UMP employees are able to set aside money from their paychecks to contribute to charitable causes. This allows our employees to make a huge impact on the world around them.

These causes are selected by the UMP Foundation Committee on a quarterly basis. Some of the organizations The UMP Foundation has donated to include:

The Lake Health Foundation
University Hospitals
Cleveland Clinic Foundation

About UMP

We hope you join us in celebrating American Heart Month by donating to a top heart health awareness and/or treatment services charity, or by simply spreading awareness of the issue by sharing the links above with your loved ones.

If you are looking for metal stamping services, contact us! We’d be happy to speak with you. We proudly work with female-led and operated companies and people of all backgrounds and ethnicities.
To learn more about our employment opportunities visit our Careers page today.

UMP Aims to Raise Awareness During Diabetes Awareness Month

Lina Miller on November 1, 2023

As part of our ongoing dedication to not only providing clients with high-quality metal components but also supporting those in need, UMP would like to acknowledge Diabetes Awareness Month by spreading the word about this serious and chronic disease.

As many as 1 in 10 Americans suffer from diabetes, with another 1 in 3 American adults being prediabetic. These statistics illustrate just how important it is for all of us to stand up and fight diabetes through awareness and support for organizations that look to combat both the effects and the causes.

Many people are unaware of what diabetes is, who it affects, and what symptoms to look out for. For more information about diabetes and to support the fight to end diabetes, consider checking out the American Diabetes Association website. There you will find more about what diabetes is, who it affects, how diabetes can be managed, and more.

Supporting Diabetics Through Donations: The UMP Foundation

The UMP Foundation is a non-profit that was established back in 2004 with the mission of contributing financial support to top charitable organizations, including those that help treat patients with diabetes. Through The UMP Foundation, UMP employees are able to set aside money from their paychecks to contribute to charitable causes. This allows our employees to make a huge impact on the world around them.

These causes are selected by the UMP Foundation Committee on a quarterly basis. Some of the organizations The UMP Foundation has donated to include:

Lake Health Foundation
University Hospitals
Cleveland Clinic Foundation

About UMP

UMP cares about our clients, our staff, and the members of our community. We hope you join us in celebrating Diabetes Awareness Month by donating to a top diabetes awareness and treatment services charity. Remember, every dollar counts!

If you would like to donate to the American Diabetes Association, click HERE: American Diabetes Association | Research, Education, Advocacy

Help UMP Raise Awareness During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Lina Miller on October 20, 2023

Breast cancer affects so many people. Whether it be those suffering from the disease or the loved ones of those in need, it touches so many lives and leads to so much heartache. In fact, each year in the United States, about 240,000 cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in women and about 2,100 in men.

It’s extremely important to both raise awareness for this ailment, along with provide support for organizations that are helping to fight cancer and develop effective treatment options. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we at UMP ask for you to help us stand up to cancer by spreading awareness of the disease, along with providing financial support to quality organizations that offer patients with breast cancer the treatment they both need and deserve.

Supporting Those in Need: The UMP Foundation

In the spirit of providing support to those in need, Universal Metal Products founded The UMP Foundation. This non-profit was established back in 2004 with the mission of contributing financial support to top charitable organizations, including those that help fight cancer. Through The UMP Foundation, UMP employees are able to set aside money from their paychecks to contribute to charitable causes. This allows our employees to make a huge impact on the world around them.

These causes are selected by the UMP Foundation Committee on a quarterly basis. Some of the organizations The UMP Foundation has donated to include:

American Cancer Society
Lake Health Foundation
University Hospitals
Cleveland Clinic Foundation

About UMP

Universal Metal Products is a female-owned company that helps with the creation of metal components for the automotive, appliance, and industrial industries. We are able to create a variety of custom and standard components for vehicles, HVAC units, refrigerators, electronics, sub pumps, and much more. Along with volunteering and charity, we value equality. This is why we focus on creating a culture of inclusivity. We do this by offering family-friendly policies and work shift hours, equal pay for equal work, and a dedication to providing a positive and harassment-free workplace environment.

UMP cares about our clients, our staff, and the members of our community. We hope you join us in celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month by donating to a top cancer awareness and treatment services charity. Remember, every dollar counts!

If you would like to donate to the American Cancer Society, click HERE: Donate Today | The American Cancer Society

The Recent Rise of Reshoring: Why It’s Happening and Who to Contact for Domestic Metal Stamping in North America

Lina Miller on August 15, 2023

Both providers of metal components and consumers have likely noticed a recent trend—reshoring. For those that aren’t aware of the term, reshoring (also known as onshoring or inshoring) is the process of moving manufacturing back to a company’s country of origin. This includes the United States.

The “why” behind this is due to a few main things. One is the recent supply chain scare that everyone experienced in 2021/2022, and the post-COVID supply chain hangover. This has led manufacturers to want to move their plants closer to their point of consumption to reduce the risk of delayed deliveries while providing more support to fluctuating demand schedules.

By choosing localized suppliers like UMP, consumers don’t need to buy components from overseas, saving them from the time and risk of getting those components to NA (North American) manufacturing locations that comes with overseas purchasing. When properly evaluated, it’s easy to see that the landed cost of components in NA is very close to parity with those sourced in low-cost countries.

Risk is just as big of a factor as predictability. If a consumer is bringing a component into NA from offshore which might take 6 weeks once it’s put on a boat, what happens if the longshoremen strike or the ports back up like they did in 2021/22? Saving 0.02% on parts means nothing if those parts are delayed for an extended period of time.

Another main reason for the growth in reshoring is USMCA (formerly NAFTA) legislation that increased the requirements for manufacturers regarding “domestic content.” The USMCA legislation is a trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada that replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 2020. One of the changes that the USMCA introduced was an increase in the requirements for manufacturers regarding “domestic content”. This means that a certain percentage of the materials or components used to produce a product must originate from one of the USMCA countries in order to qualify for preferential tariff treatment.

UMP (Universal Metal Products) is positioned well, with US/NA manufacturing locations that meet the requirements of “domestic content” that major OEMs want to see. This, combined with UMP’s minority ownership status, makes UMP an excellent option for OEMs of all sizes.

UMP is a female-owned company that helps with the creation of metal components for the automotive, appliance, and industrial industries. We are able to create a variety of custom and standard components for vehicles, HVAC units, refrigerators, electronics, sub pumps, and much more. UMP is based in the United States, and our local manufacturing allows for superior production with on-time deliveries. You’ll receive the highest-quality, custom metal stamping products and services provided by a North American company that specializes in top-quality production within a timely delivery schedule.

UMP Celebrates National Safety Month with an Ongoing Commitment to Workplace Safety

Lina Miller on June 22, 2023

Did you know June is National Safety Month? This holiday was created in 1996 by the National Safety Council with the intention of bringing awareness to proper safety practices and health hazards in the workplace. It serves as a great reminder both for business owners and employees about how important safety precautions are to ensure everyone’s safety.

As Universal Metal Products has an outstanding and complex factory that creates metal components, safety is paramount to our day-to-day operations. This means ensuring the flooring is dry, tripping hazards are addressed quickly, and all workplace safety mandates are not only met but exceeded. Our goal at UMP—in everything we do—is to go above and beyond and pay attention to the details. That’s how we’ve created a safe and enjoyable working environment where our workers are able to provide outstanding services without having to fear for their safety. This means more focus on creating your components and less time worrying about tripping, falling, slipping, or other injuries.

We are committed to continuing to create a safe workplace for our employees and we are proud of our staff for their adherence to proper safety measures.

About Universal Metal Products

Universal Metal Products is a female-owned company that provides metal component creation services for the automotive, industrial, and appliance industries. We are able to create a variety of custom and standard components for vehicles, HVAC units, electronics, refrigerators, sub pumps, and much more.

UMP is based in the United States, and we are proud of our American heritage. With that said, we are also grateful for the opportunity to work closely with our international customers (including our incredible customers in Latin America). We believe strongly in equality, inclusivity, and fairness in the workplace—regardless of race, sex, religion, or nationality. We are also proud to hire veterans!

If you are looking for metal stamping services, contact us! We’d be happy to speak with you. We proudly work with female-led and operated companies, veteran-owned companies, and people of all backgrounds and ethnicities.
To learn more about our employment opportunities visit our Careers page today.

Join Us in Saluting Our Troops During National Military Appreciation Month

Lina Miller on May 19, 2023

May is National Military Appreciation Month in the United States. During this month, we show our reverence for those in the United States Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, and Space Force.

Universal Metal Products is proud of both our American roots and our troops. The United States military protects our freedom at a great cost, and UMP finds it extremely important to show our support and acknowledge their great sacrifices.

UMP was founded in 1946—right on the tail end of World War II. Since then, our strong military has allowed UMP to thrive through the Cold War, Gulf War, and the various wars and conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Without the strength and perseverance of United States military, there’s a strong chance we wouldn’t be here today!

With the help of our troops, the United States has been able to grow and thrive under the tenants of freedom, liberty, and equality. Every day, our troops put their lives on the line to ensure our ability to grow, develop and live our lives to our fullest.

Universal Metal Products would like to say a special “thank you” to everyone that has served and continues to serve, along with the military veterans on our team that have helped our business to grow and provide the best metal stamping and manufacturing services in North America.

UMP is a female-owned company that helps with the creation of metal components for the appliance, automotive, and industrial industries. We are able to create a variety of custom and standard components for vehicles, HVAC units, electronics, sub pumps, refrigerators, and much more. While we are based in the United States and are proud of our heritage, we are also grateful for the opportunity to work closely with our international customers (including our incredible customers in Latin America). We believe strongly in equality, inclusivity, and fairness in the workplace—regardless of race, sex, religion, or nationality. We are also proud to hire veterans!

To learn more about our employment opportunities visit our Careers page today.

Women’s History Month: Shining a Light on the Great Contributions of Women Throughout the Years

dallenadmin on March 9, 2023

March is Women’s History Month, which is a fantastic time to reflect on all of the great contributions of women around the world. From historical figures like Harriet Tubman (a champion of human rights that led enslaved Americans to freedom via the Underground Railroad) and Marie Curie (a Nobel Prize-winning chemist and physicist who was a pioneer in the field of radioactivity) to modern leaders like Mary Barra (Chairwoman and CEO of General Motors) and members of our own team like Kimberly Koeth (Director of Administration and Support at Universal Metal Products) and Kristin Jenkins (Director of Diversity at Universal Metal Products), there have been so many women throughout the years that have changed the world as we know it.

At Universal Metal Products, we celebrate the amazing women that have helped our business to grow and provide the best metal stamping solution and manufacturing services in North America. UMP is a female-owned company that helps with the creation of metal components for the automotive, appliance, and industrial industries. We are able to create a variety of custom and standard components for vehicles and home appliances such as refrigerators, washer, dryer dishwasher and much more.

Kristin Jenkins and Kimberly Koeth of Universal Metal Products bring diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences to the table, which helps Universal Metal Products to innovate, grow, and leverage the unique strength of women. Universal Metal Products promotes equality by creating a culture of inclusivity. This is done by providing equal pay for equal work, offering family-friendly policies and work shift hours, and creating a harassment-free workplace.

Join us in celebrating Women’s History Month and Women’s Day (March 8th)! We are so grateful at Universal Metal Products both for the women that led the way for equal rights and the current leaders that help us achieve a better tomorrow.

If you are looking for metal stamping services, contact us! We’d be happy to speak with you. We proudly work with female-led and operated companies and people of all backgrounds and ethnicities.

To learn more about our employment opportunities visit our Careers page today.

National Hispanic Heritage Month: What Our Hispanic Employees and Clients Mean to Us

Lina Miller on October 18, 2022

It’s officially National Hispanic Heritage Month, and Universal Metal Products has decided to celebrate by honoring our amazing Hispanic employees and clients.

From our plant workers to members of management, we are proud of the outstanding work provided by our employees of Hispanic and Latino descent. Having a plant in Texas, our staff is very diverse. Many of our employees are bi-lingual, which is particularly helpful since we ship internationally to Mexico and Latin America.

We are happy to provide services for our Hispanic and Latino clients. They are extremely accommodating and wonderful to work with. We are grateful for all of the business we receive from clients in Latin America, along with our clients in the United States and other regions.

It is extremely important to provide employees from all backgrounds with opportunities for growth. Regional managers, plant supervisors, and employees in many other positions have been able to grow with Universal Metal Products. This includes members of the Hispanic community that we employ. We recognize the outstanding work provided by our employees, and it’s our goal to reward our top workers with not only praise but promotions and new opportunities. Developing a phenomenal workforce is done by encouraging our team to reach their full potential, while also showing them that there is plenty of opportunity for growth in the company.

Universal Metal Products is a female-owned company that provides metal stamping and manufacturing services for our clients. This includes the creation of metal components for the appliance, automotive, and industrial industries. We are able to create a variety of custom and standard components for vehicles, HVAC units, refrigerators, electronics, sub pumps, and much more.

UMP offers many new career opportunities in different areas of the country. If you are interested in working for Universal Metal Products, visit our Careers page. Being bi-lingual is a major plus!

Thank you again to all of our employees and clients of Hispanic and Latino descent. We appreciate you greatly and are happy you are a part of the Universal Metal Products community.

If you are looking for metal stamping services, contact us! We’d be happy to speak with you. We proudly work with Latin American companies and people of all backgrounds and ethnicities.
To learn more about our employment opportunities visit our Careers page today.

Celebrating Women in March

John Levan on March 21, 2022

What do National Women’s History Month, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), and a manufacturing company specializing in custom metal stampings have in common?