Gutterglove Brings China Manufacturing Back to California

ROCKLIN, Calif., March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Rocklin, California manufacturer Gutterglove, Inc., will bring its gutter guard manufacturing from China back to California by the end of second quarter 2012 and will finally be able to say its products are "Made In The USA". This will infuse millions of dollars back into the Golden State, create new jobs, and hopefully set an example that other manufacturers can follow.

CEO and President, Robert Lenney founder and inventor of the multi-patented Gutterglove Gutterguard, started manufacturing his gutter cover in 2003.

"Originally, my plans were to make the gutter guards in California, but because the parts used were from high end, high quality materials, they were very expensive to make," says Lenney.

The company's gutter protection systems, 'Gutterglove' and the Do-It-Yourself version 'LeafBlaster' are made from aluminum extrusions and a fine stainless steel micro-mesh. They are installed on roof gutters and designed to keep out leaves, pine needles, and roof sand grit.

Due to continued rising costs to manufacture and the pressure to reduce costs in order to remain competitive, Lenney sent out a worldwide bid request in 2006 for aluminum extrusion companies to quote on making his gutter covers. He ended up moving manufacturing to China.

In 2011, the Army Corps of Engineers began to spec the Gutterglove design to be installed on gutters on specific buildings on certain military bases in the US. However, to qualify for the Buy American Act passed by congress and signed by President Hoover in 1933, Gutterglove needed to be made in the USA.

In the second quarter of 2011, Lenney sent out bid requests to numerous part manufacturers throughout the United States. As weeks went by, Lenney nervously awaited quotes to come in for extruding, anodizing and fabricating his aluminum based product.

Unexpectedly, several extrusion companies in the Los Angeles area came back with quotes that were only slightly higher than the Chinese manufacturers. Evaluating this marginal increase closely, it was determined that it would be more feasible to manufacture and assemble in California rather than China. Lenney made the choice to bring manufacturing back to California.

Lenney said, "I'll carefully manage future cost increases in manufacturing so that I can always keep business here, permanently."

David Snyder, the Director of Economic Development for Placer County, says that bringing manufacturing back to the US is welcomed and appreciated.

Snyder comments, "Manufacturing's contribution to our economy cannot be overstated. Its multiplier effect creates jobs throughout the supply chain; for every new manufacturing job created, 2.5 additional jobs are created in other sectors."

With Gutterglove sales increasing over 40% a year, the benefits would be received warmly into the economy. The significant growth of the company introduced many financial challenges as well. They are currently seeking up to $2.5 million dollars in debt and equity capital to assist with these transitions of growth.

More information can be found at www.Gutterglove.com.

Read full version press release.

About Gutterglove Gutterguard

The company was founded in 1996 and is located in Rocklin, California. Gutterglove, Inc. continues to invent state-of-the-art micro-mesh gutter guards and has multiple brands marketed throughout North America. For more information, call 877-662-5644, or visit: www.Gutterglove.com.

Media Contact
Robert Lenney
916-778-8777
[email protected]

SOURCE Gutterglove, Inc.