SussexIM launches business-to-consumer division, names president

SussexIM (Sussex, WI), a custom injection molding and full service manufacturing company, has announced its new business-to-consumer division, Sussex Brands, which will handle end-to-end operations for branded consumer products and ship directly to leading national and regional retailers.

Robert Dodd has been named President and Chief Marketing Officer of Sussex Brands. He was most recently president of MoGo LLC, makers of innovative protective sports gear such as flavored mouth guards, which has been acquired by SussexIM. Dodd has extensive experience with iconic consumer packaged goods brands, according to a release from SussexIM.

Sussex Brands' first two efforts will be in the sports equipment market, in support of MoGo and GoFlav protective mouth guards. In addition, Sussex Brands will manufacture, market and sell the Mr. Lid product line, SussexIM's patented storage system that permanently attaches lids to watertight stackable containers.

According to SussexIM CEO, Keith Everson, Sussex Brands will further diversify the company's extensive suite of services. Sussex Brands will manufacture, sort, package, palletize and warehouse branded consumer products, as well as handle all electronic data interchange (EDI) with national and leading regional retailers.

"The time is right for Sussex Brands," said Everson. "More than ever, manufacturers are selling directly to retail and for several reasons. Consumers are looking for innovation, quality and value for their dollar. Retailers, meanwhile, are looking for products that deliver high shelf appeal and true value-added. With the creation of Sussex Brands, we are in the right market segment at the right time."

To handle light manufacturing, logistics, and warehousing, the company is in the process of purchasing property to build a new 81,000-square-foot facility, a major expansion in facility size, inline filling capability and personnel. "These investments, in combination, will enable us to further diversify our business and build upon the double-digit growth rate we posted over the last five years," said Everson.

Being a made-in-the USA manufacturer is another compelling aspect of the Sussex Brands story, Dodd added. "Every one of these products, with more in the pipeline, is made right here in Wisconsin," he said. "Today, we can deliver a quality, retail-shelf ready, U.S.-made product that competes price-wise with offshore manufacturers. Retailers and consumers alike will appreciate what Sussex Brands will offer, now and in the future. Our competition is operating on a supply chain, business planning cycle, and inventory position based on 120-day lead times from Asia. Our operation [is] 20 days or less, which gives us the ability keep costs down, be nimble and react quickly to the marketplace."