How Interpower^® Cords Crimp the Competition [1-Week Lead-times, Same-day Shipping, Quick-Change Molding]

In the past 30 years of its nearly 50-year run, Interpower has vastly expanded its North American and international product lines—North American and international cords, cord sets, and components, including its well-known hospital-grade line.

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Chart: International Cord Set Configurations

History

With innovative yet humble beginnings in California in the 1970s in the Los Angeles area, Bob Wersen founded Caltron, and later moved the business to Santa Rosa, California, in 1979. From 1991 to 1992, Wersen began researching friendlier business climes in other states—the mechanical clock that was California pro-business had nearly come to a stop. “I could hear that clock ticking,” Wersen said of the need to move.

Bob Wersen: Interpower President

Manufacturing Friendly

In 1993, Wersen found his business-friendly climate and moved the newly named Panel Components Corporation 1,800 miles east to Oskaloosa, Iowa, a state where he could expand without legislative red tape. The Accessory Power Strip was one of the first products manufactured in Iowa. The momentum of 1993 included overseas expansion: Interpower Components, Ltd., (ICL) opened a distribution center in Bognor Regis, England, to introduce and distribute electrical cord sets and components throughout Europe and select countries on other continents.

Fast forward to 1996 when Interpower began manufacturing their own North American power cords and cord sets. Meanwhile, ICL moved from Bognor Regis to Milton Keynes, England, in 1999. In 2000, Interpower opened a new manufacturing facility in Lamoni, Iowa, just off Interstate 35 near the Missouri border, which produces world-class molded hospital grade cord sets, country-specific cord sets, and North American and international electrical cable.

While Interpower manufactures its products in Oskaloosa and Lamoni, Iowa, its Marketing department and Testing Lab resides in Ames, Iowa. Interpower’s manufacturing of power cords, cord sets, and components separates itself from other cord manufacturers in three ways:

1-Week Manufacturing Lead-Times

One of the driving forces of Interpower is continuous improvement. In 2008, Interpower began its industry-unique 1-week lead-times on customized cord and cord set orders. Whether North American or international country-specific plugs, or its full line of IEC 60320 cords and components, customers can open their newly arrived boxes of Interpower cords and components and plug them into their mains power without reconfiguration—exporting electrical power cords and components has never been easier.

Same-day Shipping

Consequently, those 1-week lead-times plus a variation of just-in-case inventory allow Interpower to offer same-day shipping on in-stock cords, cord sets, and components. If the product is in stock, Interpower sends it out the same day it’s ordered.

Quick-change Molding Process

Any injection molder will tell you that molding dies are heavy, and that changing them out is time-consuming. Large bolts must be removed, and waterlines disconnected. Then the 100-lb mold dies must be carefully removed and replaced.

So, how is it possible to change 100-lb. mold dies 40–50 times per week? Multiple molding machines with quick-change molds and quick-disconnect waterlines. Add a special cart that allows the molds to roll right onto the cart as to prevent injuries such as strained muscles in the arms, shoulders, and back and you have the ability to manufacture multiple country-specific cords each week. Also critical is having well-trained and experienced molders who have cross-trained on numerous machines.

“Our quick-change mold process plays a major role in offering our unique 1-week lead-times on custom orders, and same day shipping on in-stock products,” Interpower Vice President of Manufacturing and Logistics, Mike Boyle said. “By changing molds and colors on the fly, we can keep diversifying our product line.

“It comes down to our employees embracing the mission. They pride themselves on teamwork and cross-training. Our experienced production and shipping staff do an excellent job of passing down their knowledge to coworkers—our employees continually learn on the job and in the classroom. They are trained to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers.”