Solutions Current Issues > Oct.Nov.Dec_2007 >FIRST ARTICLES
Email LinkFIRST ARTICLES
RL HUDSON CYCLISTS GO THE DISTANCE
Three cyclists from RL Hudson completed the 2007 Oklahoma Land Ride, a grueling two-day, 150-mile trek from Tulsa through the hills of southeastern Oklahoma and back. The event benefitted the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
The Hudson team — territory manager Jason Hudson, IT director Roux Carroll and IT manager Russell Parrish — trained for months in order to be ready for the challenging race. “It was for a great cause,” said Jason, who is an avid cyclist, “But we also had our own reasons for taking on a challenge like this.” The three joined forces with employees of Tulsa’s Triad Bank to form a team of six riders.
Russell and Roux had both enjoyed biking in the past, but neither had attempted anything close to 150 miles. “We all remember riding bikes when we were kids,” said Roux. “You think you can just jump on the bike and go, but when I started training, I was really hurting after a few miles.” Russell, like Jason, has biked regularly for quite a while, but said he really had to intensify his routine in order to be ready for the MS ride.
Each year, more than 100,000 people in the US participate in cycling events to raise funds for MS. Last year, these events generated a total of $67 million for MS education, research and treatment. The RL Hudson / Triad Bank team raised $1200. “Next year, we hope to get more people involved, and raise even more,” said Jason.
MEN IN TIGHTS: (left to right) Chris Jones, Jimmy Jones, and Craig Cox of Triad Bank joined RLH employees Jason Hudson, Russell Parrish and Roux Carroll for a 150 mile ride benefiting the National MS Society.
NEW FACILITY OPENS FOR BUSINESS IN CHINA
October is Grand Opening month for RL Hudson’s permanent facility in Suzhou, China. The company’s wholly foreign owned enterprise in China has a long name — Hudson Engineered Flexible Products Suzhou Limited — but, according to RL Hudson president Rick Hudson, it will shorten the delivery process for many of our customers.
READY TO SERVE: The staff of RLHudson's Chinese
subsidiary moves into their new office / warehouse facility.
RL Hudson has had team members working in various locations throughout Asia for many years, but just over a year ago customer requirements dictated that the company establish a full-service facility there.
RL Hudson China General Manager Minnie Yao and her staff have now moved into the new 40,000-square-foot space. “This is going to make a big difference for our customers,” said Minnie. “We’re going to be able to serve our customers in many new ways here.” Among the first visitors to the Suzhou facility will be an econonic development delegation from RL Hudson’s hometown of Tulsa.
NEW TECH TALENT JOINS HUDSON TEAM
ARINDAM BASU The RLH product engineering team is enjoying the expertise and fresh perspective of their newest member, Arindam Basu. Arindam came to Oklahoma from India to earn a masters degree in engineering at the world-renowned University of Oklahoma College of Engineering. The son of an engineer and an historian, Arindam grew up with a love of learning, especially science and math. He says he knew he wanted to be an engineer from a young age. “When I broke open my dad’s radio to figure out how it worked, I was hooked,” he said.
ABI RAY has always enjoyed taking things apart too, looking at the little pieces and learning what makes them “tick.” As senior lab technician in RL Hudson’s Material Technology department, Abi’s job often involves figuring out what makes a rubber compound tick. Abi learned the rubber and plastic molding business from the ground up at a manufacturer in California. Her curiosity about the “little things”proved very useful. “In rubber chemistry, it’s all about the little things,” she said.“Really little things, in fact. We’re talking molecules here.”
