Tour of Gerbing Plant in N.C.

A group of us meet weekly for breakfast and a ride afterwards. Yesterday we met near Greensboro NC and then rode about 40 miles north to a little town called Stoneville. Gerbing has established a new plant there, with a retail outlet, and is bringing back all production of Gerbing products from China to the U.S. and moving it all to Stoneville. The story is that Gerbing Jr. rode thru Stoneville early this year and was taken with the area and quickly took over this hugh, fairly new building, formerly used by another mfg that closed down. Apparently the town was thrilled and is doing all it can for them.

He brought a couple of workers from his headquarters in Washington state and hired 45 locals. This small group use about a fourth of the plant and are producing the jacket liners only. Plans are to hire 4 more by years end, and probably up to 200 in the next couple years as they expand their production line and close out the China operations. They also have a couple folks doing R&D but we weren't privy to that info. They have options on additional plant space if needed. Their products now use micro-wire, even in the gloves, and you can't really feel it.

We were walked through and shown their cutting machines and the main crew of folks making and sewing the heating elements into the jackets. Each person has a separate station, most of which were sewing machines, with a couple folks tieing in the electrics. I belive they said they produce about 50 jacket liners a day.

Afterwards we went into the retail space and fondled all their products with some of the guys buying various products. One guy had one of their older jackets with the
double prong connectors and it was changed out while we shopped. I think it was a $5 charge. I'm sure there are other good products available but finding a company that stands behind their products as well as Gerbing may be hard to find.

They have a line of battery charged vests, jackets, gloves, etc that looked interesting as well. I didn't know either that they have electric shoe liners and a couple of the guys said they use them and liked them a lot.

Since the plant and retail store is less than a 100 miles from my home, I can go back again if I decide I need something.

Thanks for the report and it's nice to know that this product line will become fully "Made in the USA" products again real soon.

The production process refinements and rigid QA will become intangible improvements to the product and will enable the company to make a profit as they build a good product.

Sounds like my kind of trip.

Jesse

Thanks for the report. I'm negotiating with Santa on getting a heated jacket liner for Christmas , and Gerbings was one of the contenders. I think now it is the only contender.

The majority of guys I ride with use Gerbing and swear by them. The guy that arranged the tour knows Gerbing Jr, having met him at a rally in Fla a few years ago. Same guy still wears a one piece suit that they used to make many years ago. Also, he had a jacket that he wore for years and when it failed, they replaced it free. They offer a lifetime warranty on electrics.