St Regis - Day 4 Kanab

What an amazing adventure we had today.  Breakfast at 4:30am then at 5:40am we boarded the buses (4 big coaches) and set off for Salt Lake International Airport.  We checked in at 7am and boarded a 757 jet that SU had chartered to fly us to St George Utah which is in the bottom left hand corner of Utah.  Flying domestically in the US is the same as flying internationally.  We had to show our passport, not take more than 3oz of liquid, take our shoes off and have a body scan.  We were quite the celebrities when we arrived as the jet was the biggest plane that had ever landed at St George so the press were there to take photos.  The flight was about 45 minutes.

Then we boarded the coaches for the 1hour 30 minute drive to Kanab where the SU manufacturing facility is.  The scenery was amazing and when we were told that most of the western movies were filmed here you could recognise the scenery.  Along the way we went through Colorado City where the polygamists live.   We also had a focus group on the bus where we were told about a new product SU is thinking of introducing.  We had to give our opinions so that decisions can be made.  Sorry but we are sworn to secrecy!

When we arrived at Kanab at the SU Manufactoring Facility, all the employees lined the pavement out front and gave us a very warm welcome.  We then went inside and were treated to an American BBQ.  The food was great and there was Creme Brûlée, Angel Food Cupcakes and a Chocolate Silk Pie for dessert.

Then we split into groups to do a tour.  It was amazing.  We saw how the rubber comes in, how the moulds are made, saw the moulds being baked, taken out and cooled and packed as stamp sets.  We even got to have a go ourselves.  We also saw stamp pads being made.  The foam pads are inked up in a machine that looks likea big mix master and they are glued in with a special glue.  We also saw the ink refills being filled and labelled as well as the card stock being cut with a huge electric guillotine and being shrink wrapped.  There is also a machine that shreds the waste rubber which is used for playgrounds under swings.  SU used to be the biggest employer in Kanab but are now the 3rd largest and most of the employees have been there in excess of 10 years.

Will finish this post in the morning as I am bone tired, will explain more in my next post.

Cheers
Roz