ATLANTA — Italian blow molding machinery manufacturer Sipa SpA has moved into a larger facility in Atlanta, a 20,000-square-foot building near the Atlanta airport.

An enlarged spare parts warehouse runs 24/7, supplying more than 90 percent of required after-sales parts within 24 hours.

More than 30 people work there, including a team of area sales and key account managers, a technical help desk, process specialists and service engineers.

Sipa North America opened a new showroom area last summer. At the event, Sipa introduced the XForm preform injection molding press.

Sipa also made news last year by teaming with Athena Automation Ltd., founded by former Husky head Robert Schad in Vaughan, Ontario. The two companies are building a line of PET preform injection and blow molding equipment.

Demand is increasing from Sipa North America's customers, according to Enrico Gribaudo, general manager of Sipa SpA. The machinery company plans to start a refurbishment center for injection molds and hot runners, even brands other than Sipa.