Hopkins Manufacturing Company has acquired a new product line.
Hopkins now has the splash guard and mudflap company NuVue, previously known as PowerFlow, as a subsidiary. Based in Buffalo, New York and Ontario, Canada, NuVue brings brand names like RoadSport, Big Mudder, ProFit, BadgeZ, RoadGuard and Defender Tow Guard. Hopkins also gains inventory, patents and intellectual property for these products.
Hopkins President Brad Kraft says the new product lines fit in well with Hopkins’ current array.
Hopkins plans to integrate at least some of the manufacturing of the new equipment from its Emporia plant and will distribute the products from facilities in Edgerton as well as Blenheim, Canada.
Kraft says this move provides stability for the Emporia workforce, which currently deals with seasonal surges in activity. The new products are made year-round.
Kraft says Hopkins was hiring until early March, when coronavirus started affecting the economy. Orders dropped four straight weeks but have rebounded since. Hopkins has kept abreast of the safety protocols and has also utilized temporary workers over the last several weeks.
