Quality Products Made in America
Story/Photos: T-Bone
If you’ve ever been to the SEMA Show you know how overwhelming and inspiring it can be. This year we went on a mission to find U.S. Manufacturers. We found many and some in our own backyard here in Southern California. TMI Products Inc. was just one of those firms. We first noticed the awesome grabber orange/houndstooth interior on a convertible first generation Camaro pace car in their booth. Exquisite stitching, great color consistency and original GM textures and patterns made for a remarkable product.I introduced myself to Aaron Lyle and asked about his company and products. He replied that they are a manufacturer in Corona CA cutting, stitching and assembling interior upholstery kits for classic VW’s, first generation Camaros and 64-1/2 to current Mustangs. I had to check this out for myself.
TMI Products Inc. is a family-owned company, founded in 1982 when the Tuccinardi brothers began making Volkswagen door panels in their family garage in Torrance, CA. Today they make high-value interior automotive components like seating, interior consoles, floor coverings, door panels, convertible roof assemblies, headliners and integrated electronic systems.
Billy and I rolled up to their huge facility in Corona and met with Aaron who showed us around the entire facility. What we didn’t realize is that TMI Products Inc., also manufactures in-car entertainment systems for a wide variety of manufacturers, such as Toyota, Hummer, Land Rover and more with the brand name: Vizualogic®.
I asked why do you keep your manufacturing here in the states? I know it’s one of those questions I wish I didn’t have to ask, and lately I seem to be getting the same answer.
Topic One: Quality. There is no doubt that manufacturing overseas may be good for simple products like pool noodles, but when it comes to detailed interior products for your valuable classic car you don’t want to go with a product that comes from multiple manufacturing facilities in China. Color consistency, product quality are all over the map. The dedicated staff at TMI triple-check quality throughout a run. First inspecting the raw materials as received, inspecting the quality during production, and again a final inspection prior to shipping. Quality is the most important factor, which separates themselves from any competition.
Topic Two: Inventory. TMI/Vizualogic® has virtually no inventory of products. That may sound like a downer to you who needs your interior products NOW! Get this, if an order is placed by 2pm it will ship out that day. And all Vizualogic® products are assembled THAT DAY!
There are four guys spraying the foam material in molds and in a matter of minutes a pad is prepared and ready to go. But while that is happening raw materials for the upholstery are getting their backing formed onto the correct color/pattern fabric, then cut by CNC driven knives on big flat tables. The cut pieces are sent to the stitchers who then carefully hand sew the pieces together. We saw them sew up some Mustang GT seat covers, all with the correct number of stitches as factory. Leather and most of the raw materials they use for the upholstery come from the United States. Retailers can order a variety of custom colors, however the patterns cannot change.
TMI Products Inc., has proven that their formula works. They have been in business for over 29 years and have grown considerably during these trying economic times. A lot to celebrate! And, I haven’t even gotten into the in-car entertainment side of the business.
Vizualogic®, the mobile entertainment division of TMI Products Inc., is an OEM producer that has led the industry from it’s novelty stage of in-car A/V to this new era of sophistication. Vizualogic® provides OEM’s with head-rest electronics and integrated interior components. Next time you are in your sister-in-law’s Toyota minivan and are yucking it up with the kiddies watching Sponge-Bob Squarepants, or, if you are in your buddies Land Rover crawlin for chicks with the latest Kid Rock video blaring, know that the system was most likely built in Corona California at TMI/Vizualogic.
Now go out in the garage and check out the interior of your classic ride and see if TMI can help. They don’t sell direct, so you will have to go through their distribution channels. Find out where at: www.TMIProducts.com or call their friendly staff at: 951-272-1996, tell them Blacktop Magazine sent you