Colvin-Friedman is a trusted name in die cutting, offering nearly 75 years of expertise in crafting high-quality, precision components for demanding industries across the United States. Operating out of California—a state with one of the toughest regulatory frameworks—Colvin-Friedman is uniquely equipped to handle the complexities of Houston’s industries, including oil and gas, healthcare, and aerospace. From intricate gaskets designed to withstand extreme pressures in refineries to precision components for medical devices, Colvin-Friedman’s advanced rotary and flatbed die-cutting equipment ensures superior accuracy and reliability for even the most challenging projects.
Colvin-Friedman is adept at delivering precision and compliance on complex projects. This translates seamlessly to Houston’s high-stakes industries, where meeting exacting tolerances and adaptability are paramount. Combined with fast ground shipping, nearly full-day communication overlap, and the flexibility to customize solutions on short notice, Colvin-Friedman delivers a level of service and quality that many suppliers simply can’t.
While leather is a popular material for a wide variety of products, ranging from shoes to holsters, harnesses and more, there is no perfect source. Unlike synthetics, suppliers can offer ranges of thicknesses and they are measured in ounces. While 1/64th of an inch per ounce might not seem like much, it means that a popular method for large-scale die cutting, the rotary press, is not a feasible option, even for the thinnest natural materials.
Instead, leather die cutting should be performed using either a sheet metal rule process or a flat bed process. Which one makes the most sense depends on the expected production volume, intricacy of cuts or designs and the type of leather. If you are still considering materials for your product, the following are common weights and applications:
Proximity and Turnaround Time
Communication
Technological Expertise
Customization Flexibility
Sustainability
Regulatory Compliance
Ground shipping from California to Houston typically takes 3-5 business days, enabling faster turnaround for production needs.
Minimal time zone differences between California and Houston allow nearly full business day overlap, ensuring timely responses and real-time problem-solving.
Advanced equipment and deep experience in high-precision industries, allowing for efficient production of complex components.
Tailored solutions, including quick adjustments for prototypes or production changes, ensuring that customer requirements are met effectively.
Domestic production minimizes carbon emissions and reduces shipping-related environmental impact, contributing to greener supply chains.
Expertise in both state and federal regulations, including California’s stringent standards, ensures reliability and high-quality results for customers in Houston.
Sea freight from Asia to Houston ranges from 20-45 days, significantly delaying production and increasing inventory requirements.
Significant time zone challenges, such as the 13-hour difference between Houston and Shanghai, limit real-time communication to a narrow window, often leading to delays in response.
Overseas suppliers may lack the technological sophistication needed to meet high-precision requirements.
Limited flexibility for customization, especially due to longer lead times and the difficulty of making rapid adjustments with international suppliers.
Overseas shipping significantly increases carbon emissions due to long-distance transit, affecting overall sustainability goals.
Overseas suppliers often have a limited understanding of U.S. regulations, leading to potential compliance issues that may result in delays or increased liability.
Or call Josh at (707) 769-4488
Our experience spans multiple industries that drive the Houston economy:
Oil & Gas
Healthcare and Medical Devices
Aerospace & Manufacturing
Renewable and Transitional Energy
Our expertise in die cutting includes components crucial for refining, petrochemical plants, and offshore drilling applications. We provide seals, gaskets, and thermal insulation designed to withstand harsh operating conditions, including high temperatures and pressures. Our familiarity with the TRC’s stringent regulatory standards ensures that all components meet or exceed industry expectations.
We produce precise components for surgical instruments, medical adhesives, device barriers, and other critical medical applications, enabling rapid ramp-ups during periods of high demand. We ensure product reliability for suppliers to the largest medical complex in the world, Texas Medical Center.Colvin-Friedman leverages its high-precision die-cutting for medical adhesives, seals, and device barriers, enabling fast ramp-ups during nationwide periods of need.
Mission-critical components for the space program and aeronautical systems are part of Colvin-Friedman’s portfolio of expertise. We provide thermal insulation, gaskets, seals, and more.
Colvin-Friedman has focused significantly on the burgeoning field of renewables. We leverage our experience of more than 70 years in the electronics industry to provide components for panels, battery storage systems, and more.
Or call Josh at (707) 769-4488
Through direct integration, our goal is to help your business run as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. Below we’ve outlined a number of advantages our clients have experienced as a result of working with Colvin Friedman:
Our rotary die cutting services provide precision cuts down to 0.015 inches, making them suitable for producing complex shapes with tight tolerances. It has proved invaluable for industries like electronics and medical devices, where accuracy is crucial. Using advanced rotary machinery, we offer continuous, efficient cutting of roll stock materials, reducing costs for large-scale production projects.
Our flatbed die cutting services handle thicker and more rigid materials, up to a thickness of 0.5 inches. Flatbed die cutting, which also includes steel rule die cutting, is effective for producing parts for industries like the automotive and aerospace sectors. Steel rule die cutting is a cost-efficient option for low to medium-volume runs, suitable for projects that require detailed cuts without high-cost tooling. The flexibility of flatbed die cutting allows us to work with both rigid and flexible materials, delivering quality results across a variety of applications.
We also provide kiss cutting services, which are ideal for creating adhesive-backed products. This method ensures that the adhesive layer remains intact on the backing while the top layer is precisely cut into the desired shape. Kiss cutting is often used for labels, gaskets, and stickers, particularly in the electronics and consumer goods industries. It offers a practical way for components to be easily peeled and applied, simplifying the assembly process.
At Colvin-Friedman, we have experience working with many materials, including rubbers, plastics, foams, adhesive tapes, and specialty films. Our knowledge allows us to recommend appropriate materials for each project, ensuring effective functionality and cost-efficiency. Whether you need materials with electrical insulation, thermal resistance, or specific adhesive properties, our team can help you find the right solution for your requirements.
Quality parts need to be effectively used in production processes. At Colvin-Friedman, we provide post-cutting assembly and other customizations, and we can also integrate with most inventory management systems. This integration helps to minimize waste in lean manufacturing and allows us to function as an effective part of your production flow.
Whether you are a leading energy producer in Houston, a medical device manufacturer in the Texas Medical Center, or part of the aerospace innovation at Johnson Space Center, Colvin-Friedman is your trusted die-cutting partner. We understand the unique needs of Houston industries and are committed to providing constant support, fast delivery, and high-quality solutions that help you stay ahead of the competition.
