A&R Tarpaulins graduates with honors

Funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) helped A&R Tarpaulins, Fontana, Calif., streamline its processes and forestall employee layoffs. A&R, maker of fabric products for many applications, completed the Layoff Aversion Program, developed by San Bernardino County’s Workforce Investment Board. Consultation from experts in lean manufacturing and internal quality auditing worked with A&R to retain 20 jobs, increase sales by more than $500,000 in 2011 and save $150,000 in materials, energy and overhead. The graduation ceremony was attended by elected officials in January 2011.