About Buff & Shine Manufacturing

Our Mission:

Since 1987, Buff and Shine Manufacturing takes a comprehensive approach to the world of buffing pad production and has an impeccable reputation for producing consistently high-quality products that are durable and highly functional across multiple surface perfection situations.  The company prides itself on its responsiveness to the industry by constantly improving products based on user feedback and designing new products to keep up with industry trends.


Origins

Back in the 1980s, Richard Umbrell heard his father, owner of a prominent car wash chemical manufacturing company, complain about the quality of buffing pads.  The pads simply fell apart too quickly.  Richard's entrepreneurial spirit kicked in and he began a quest to improve pad design.  He started with the pads that were available at the time and committed early on to building a better pad.  Buff and Shine Manufacturing was thus born in 1987.

One-by-one, pads were built and tested in the local region.  Richard took the time to work with customers and end users to determine how to improve pads.  A natural-born tinkerer, Richard built his own pad manufacturing equipment and improved and continues to improve that machinery to ensure that each machine yields only high-quality products.

With an early commitment to quality production and responsiveness to customer feedback, Buff and Shine quickly gained a reputation for high quality pads and soon the company boasted a nationwide and eventually its current worldwide audience of customers and end users.  Because Buff and Shine has a team of highly-qualified designers and manufacturing technicians, the company is able to adjust to new design requests, the introduction of new pad materials, and the latest in buffing technology.


Company Philosophy

 Buff and Shine Manufacturing's operational philosophy has three main elements:

  • Focus on quality.
  • Listen to the users.
  • Improve the technology.

Quality.  The impetus to establish Buff and Shine 30 years ago resulted from the realization that there was a lack of quality in the buffing pads available at the time.  Since then the company has strived to find and develop the highest quality materials and manufacturing procedures.  Once a system is proven to work well, it is "locked in"--no attempts are made to find cheaper ways to make the same products.  Thus the end user can always expect consistent results.  You will find, time and time again, that Buff and Shine products offer the following quality characteristics:  consistency, durability, and functionality.

Responsive.  Buff and Shine has always encouraged and listened to the feedback of its end users and distributors to determine what is and isn't working, as well as to determine emerging needs of the end users.  Additionally, the company responds to changes in the industries it supports; changes in chemicals, changes in the surfaces that are being polished, and changes to the polishing equipment itself.  Because the company is responsive and relatively flexible, it can cater to the needs of a broad range of individual end-users and can customize systems for larger orders. 

Technology Improvement.  When a problem is identified, either within the general buffing industry or with a specific product, the Buff and Shine development team goes to work finding a solution.  The company is not afraid to invest in design and fabrication capabilities to solve large and small buffing issues that are reported by a large number of end users.

Buff and Shine also takes great pride in its fine-tuned manufacturing process that ensures prompt shipping and competitive pricing.


Why Choose Buff and Shine?

There are a few choices for pad suppliers.  Nonetheless, what makes Buff and Shine Manufacturing unique is its comprehensive approach to the buffing pad industry.  The company’s full line of patented products are manufactured in the USA of the highest quality materials available.  Pads are designed, engineered, and manufactured in-house with custom-built production machinery available nowhere else.  These facts, along with the company's commitment to quality and responsiveness allows Buff and Shine Manufacturing to:

  • Consistently out-perform the competition;
  • Stay on the leading edge of foam pad technology;
  • Provide prompt delivery and competitive prices;
  • Offer a comprehensive selection of American and Euro foams; and
  • Offer the most comprehensive selection of wool pads.

General Pad Characteristics

Across the different product lines that Buff and Shine Manufacturing offers, users will find a consistency in the construction and durability of the pads, regardless of the size, shape, material, or intended use of the pad.

Buff and Shine Manufacturing "over-builds" its pads to counter the impact of even the most intensive usage.  The pads are made stronger than they need to be to provide long-lasting use.

Through years of testing, improvement, and re-testing, the company has developed and invested in high quality adhesives and custom-built adhesive applying apparatus to ensure that backing materials stay attached to the pads, regardless of exposure to heat, chemicals, and washing.  In fact, most users find that the backing material stays attached through the entire life of the pad.

Buff and Shine carefully selects the pad material and uses only the highest quality available so that the manufactured pads hold up to heat, chemicals, and washing.  Then the pad shape is designed to maximize buffing efficiency and minimize common issues during use.  Pads are tested in-house and in the field.