The new MD plant is double the size of the former location and offers three times the storage capacity.  The new facility houses all manufacturing, inventory, sales and support staff in one central location. A priority for investment capital was to be as efficient and eco-friendly as possible while increasing MD’s competitive edge. MD’s new technology based infrastructure is a tremendous advancement toward this goal. Other initiatives were successful as well including solar lighting designed to reduce electrical consumption and provide an open, creative atmosphere.

Brian Graves, MD’s VP of Operations spearheaded the entire transition to maximize workflow and reduce operating expenses. A pearl of Brian’s wisdom reads: “In the long run, it is always less expensive to build true quality than to overlook it. This is the most logical response to competing with low-cost alternative labor markets. We had to build on a foundation of efficiency and quality.”

MD maintained the expectation of quality throughout this entire transition. Director of Quality Mike Kretsinger is a Six Sigma Black-Belt trainer who analyzes each company procedure for minimizing potential errors and maximizing results to improve MD’s processes, workflow, and product lines.

Despite unprecedented gloom-and-doom media forecasts, MD has a commitment to sustain staffing while improving capabilities. Each employee is aware of his or her vital role to ensure an accurate and timely response to every client’s needs. The result is excellent intra-office communication, efficient order taking, and same-day shipping. Within MD’s new operations facility, the commitment for on-going research and development will remain a priority and focus.

All of the employees at MD are true central vacuum enthusiasts. Experienced professionals will get you the right product, right away, and for the right price. Accessories for any central vacuum brand, year, or model are also available.

MD has paved foundations in the industry with the first quiet central vacuum, the most extensive filtration system, the bulletproof Stealth power brush, and many other innovative products. At the recent VDTA show, MD introduced a number of brand new products: a vacuum pipe inspection camera, a compact central vacuum for RV’s, a method to easily convert all MD units to a closed bag system, a PetVac kit, and an inexpensive water-separator bucket. Creativity is a hallmark of MD’s history and the next few years should be exciting ones for MD.

While competitors have announced that they are shutting their manufacturing facilities in the United States, MD has pledged an even deeper commitment to their employees.  Through the recent recession MD has not laid off a single employee and do not intend to change that fact.  They have also committed large resources to obtain new manufacturing equipment to move even more jobs in-house. 

The new facility is centered around a theme of cleanliness.  “We build vacuum cleaners so our factory should display that we believe things should be clean,” states Brian Graves, Operations Manager and project manager for the new building.  And the building was also designed with energy savings implementation throughout.  Skylights in both the warehouse and offices reduce daily consumption.  The UPB lighting system allows constant control of lighting to dim or eliminate lighting in areas not being occupied.  Six sixteen foot giant ceiling fans reduce the needs for expensive cooling systems, and all the latest insulation measures will reduce operating electricity consumption.

This new facility will allow MD to better serve our loyal clients with more efficient order picking and processing and broader product offerings. It will also allow MD to better serve the high-end of the central vacuum market that realizes that quality products can actually cost less if they are manufactured properly the first time!

MD Manufacturing would like to thank the hundreds of thousands of clients that have purchased their products over the past five decades.  Without your loyal support we would not be enjoying today!

So don’t be surprised if we do not answer the phones or e-mails from 3:30 PST Wednesday April 1^st through 7:00 Monday morning April 6^th as we are preparing for our next significant growth curve.

Show participants have always anticipated that MD would be always presenting new ideas to the industry and this year proved consistent.  Of greatest interest was their new Vacuum Pipe Inspection Camera System.  This very cool suitcase kit contains a 60 foot fiber optic black & white camera system that can be inserted into the piping system to detect clogs, breaks, or any other abnormality in the pipes.  Its infrared lighting illuminates the pipe crystal-clear on the accompanying video screen reducing tons of hours of potential research work.  Simply remove an inlet and start the inspection.  It even contains a battery back-up system when power is not available on the job site.  MD plans an exciting launch of this product for a dealer cost of $499.

Additionally MD displayed a new PetVac kit that allow you to vacuum and groom dogs or cats with an awesome new tool but its fifteen foot hose contains a bleeder valve at the opposite end to keep from disturbing the animal near you.  And they also had a new inexpensive plastic separator bucket system.  Most homeowners rarely need to pick up water but what a convenience when it is needed.  Rather than retailing at over $150, this slick unit will be sold for less than $50.

MD also displayed a new hand-held electric beater brush that will fit right on the end of any electric hose.  No more loud air-driven tools; this one is great for staircases, couches or the interior of your car.  Speaking of small places, MD also displayed their new “MDU” unit for small central vacuum applications.  Measuring in at less that one cubic foot, this quiet, powerful central vacuum can fit inside cabinets, or will work ideal for RV and boat applications.  It’s new Allerex filtration system will also capture an amazing percentage of micro-particles.  MD hopes to introduce this to the market also in the next few months.

The Central vacuum Track of seminars also showed no sigh of the recession;  More than 50 dealers faithfully sat through hours of training including creative marketing techniques, installation helps, existing home installation, central vacuum technical theory and a comprehensive course on service.  Reaction of the participants indicated that this was a highlight of the entire show.

Its unfortunate if you missed the convention but let this be a catalyst to insure that you make a concerted effort to be a part of the show next year.  Overcoming a shifting economy can be far easier with a plan of action different than your historic direction.  We must constantly be making these adjustments or our business will simply be just like the other guy down the street.  So join MD in avoiding this so-called recession!