Specialty Fabrics Review June 2022 - 24

[ PERSPECTIVE ]
More new buildings came in 2018
when warehousing and shipping
moved to a 100,000-square-foot
distribution center in Celina, and an
85,000-square-foot assembly plant
opened in nearby St. Marys, Ohio.
" Our facility in Celina designs and
cuts the fabric for our custom products
and military products, which are
printed at our in-house print shop, "
Grieshop says. " These products are
then assembled in our St. Marys facility
and sent back to our distribution
center for shipment. " Custom products
include printed paraphernalia like table
covers, tents and flags with customers'
logos, graphics or designs.
The company now has 120
employees worldwide and provides
24-hour customer service through an
online chat feature. This service has
been especially valuable during natural
disasters and for supporting late-night
event professionals and those seeking
instruction manuals.
" One reason we have been so
successful is that we have such a stable
workforce, " Grieshop says, adding
that employee turnover is low because
workers are paid a fair wage, treated
well and provided with excellent
fringe benefits.
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Humanitarian/General Purpose Tent System
" Getting the initial contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to
produce the Humanitarian/General Purpose Tent System in 2006 was
not only good business, it was a great honor, " Grieshop says. Still used
today worldwide, these 16-by-16-foot non-tactical shelters provide an
economical solution for humanitarian aid when shelter is needed due to
natural disaster or conflict. This first DOD opportunity opened the door to
better understanding the various military shelter specifications. This led to
the development of several new Celina military shelters.
Each system is customized as needed and can include billeting and
dining areas or medical facilities. As requested, they have sidewalls,
flooring, cots, tables and chairs, material storage and generator
capabilities for lighting, heating and cooling. " Because the need for these
shelters is critical in emergencies, we expand our production capabilities
to fill any order, " she says.
24 SPECIALTY FABRICS REVIEW / June 2022
Educating the customer base
A diverse range of customers from
around the world purchase from Celina
Tent. " We try to stay in touch with the
changing needs of our customers, " says
Grieshop. " This has resulted in a large
investment of time and money in our
YouTube channel (bit.ly/3EmUfVO)
and websites. We want to provide
educational materials to support new
buyers. " These educational materials,
developed when Celina Tent was
still offering rentals, provide rental
customers with instructions they can
view while on the job
Additionally, CelinaMilitaryShelters.
com provides downloadable
information on Celina's products
designed to support military and
defense customers. Here customers
worldwide can obtain needed
information about Celina's Berrycompliant
shelters.
Pandemic consequences
Like other manufacturers, Celina Tent
adapted its business to reflect the ways
the world changed in response to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
http://www.bit.ly/3EmUfVO
Specialty Fabrics Review June 2022

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