Episode 4: Rodney Davenport
Interview with Rodney Davenport, Vice President of CH3 Solutions
Episode 04 New: Show Notes
If you’ve ever been curious about the world of plastics manufacturing, you’ve come to the right place! Today on the show we welcome Rodney Davenport, Vice President of CH3 Solutions, a plastic molding company that was founded in 2015 through The Recreational Group and has continued to grow ever since. In our conversation with Rodney, we discuss his passion for plastic, how that led him to the field of manufacturing, and why he loves his industry. Tuning in you’ll hear a breakdown of their day-to-day operations as well as some of the amazing products they offer, including a unique service where customers can design their own custom products! Rodney explains why he is a firm believer in giving his employees the freedom to do a good job and how their work culture has helped to attract talented workers. Later, we take a look at their most vital equipment, from a high-quality molding machine to a good air compressor and water system, and discover why energy efficiency is such a high priority at CH3 Solutions. Rodney also shares his passion for education and why he thinks it’s crucial for young people to get excited about manufacturing and learn about the innovations taking place in the field. Tune in today for a fascinating conversation on manufacturing, leadership, and much more!
Key Points From This Episode:
Introducing today’s guest Rodney Davenport and how his fascination with plastics led him to the field of manufacturing.
Hear how Rodney joined The Recreational Group and subsequently founded the custom injections molding company, CH3 Solutions.
Rodney’s passion for educating young people about manufacturing as a career.
Insights into what Rodney’s day-to-day looks like at CH3.
Some of the positive outcomes that CH3 experienced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rodney’s unique combination of instituting a corporate structure while still giving the benefits of a mom-and-pop shop.
CH3’s no waste policy and how they recycle and reuse everything.
Rodney shares the training that he and his team have benefited from the most, and what he recommends.
Insights into how CH3 is run, and the freedom it affords its employees.
Rodney’s open-door policy for all his clients and why he doesn’t believe in a false open-door policy.
How CH3 and The Recreational Group’s excellent work culture has helped attract exceptional talent.
What a typical day looks like at CH3.
A breakdown of the products and tiles that CH3 makes.
How CH3 allows customers to design their own products and how they manufacture and deliver those.
Some of the shows and locations where you can see CH3 products.
Rodney shares his favorites of their customized products.
Some of the initiatives and best practices that CH3 monitors to maintain efficiency.
Insights into the equipment that CH3 uses in its operations.
Why a quality plastic molding machine is essential, as well as a good air compressor and water system.
The role of robots and automation at CH3.
Some of the ways that CH3 ensures energy efficiency at their plant.
The number one myth that Rodney wants to debunk about his industry: that it’s dirty.
A timeline for designing, producing, and delivering one of their most popular products: a basketball court.
What Rodney expects for CH3 in the next ten years.
Rodney’s advice for manufacturing leaders: listen to your people.
Tweetables:
“We have to figure out, how are we going to adapt to draw people into manufacturing, it's not doom and gloom, it's not dark in a dungeon than it used to be, you can make a good salary. You don't have to go into debt to do it. It's exciting. It's challenging. It's innovative.” — Rodney Davenport [0:05:50]
“How do you keep people? You’ve got to be engaged. Any survey you take, salary is not number one. It’s never number one. You want to be challenged. You want to enjoy your work. You want to get paid well, which usually is third or fourth.” — Rodney Davenport [0:20:22]
“The system is so easy to use but it's a completely closed-loop system. So, you don't have the evaporation like an open tower. We don't lose any water. We don't waste any water.” — Rodney Davenport [0:32:08]
“I wish there was more innovation in our field. I wish young people would be like, ‘Man, I just want to get in there and innovate the manufacturing, whether it's making disc brakes or making plastic parts like me, or making cars or whatever.’ We don't glorify it enough and I think it needs to be.” — Rodney Davenport [0:35:34]
“Maybe there's a kid out there that doesn't have the opportunity to go to college and thinks all is lost, I'm only going to go work at fast food and make $5 an hour, whatever. No, you can make really good money in manufacturing. You can really grow in manufacturing.” — Rodney Davenport [0:36:21]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Manufacturers Association of Plastic Processors
The Industrial Movement on Facebook
The Industrial Movement on LinkedIn