NEW BRIGHTON, MINN.-Injection molder Donatelle Plastics Inc. of New Brighton is in the process of expanding its plant's capacity. In 1995 Donatelle added five injection molding machines and will add three to five this year, spokeman Thomas Caron said. In addition, the company has a three-year plan to build a 55,000-square-foot facility.
Donatelle is investing a minimum of $500,000 in equipment this year in order to expand and maintain its existing customer base. The company also plans to increase its staff 10-15 percent this year.
The company is quickly growing out of its 35,000-square-foot plant and could temporarily expand into the adjacent building with an available 26,000 square feet. However, Caron said Donatelle would prefer having all operations in one building. So instead of expanding into or connecting with the other building the company eventually will build a plant.
Donatelle also recently added a white room molding area with four injection molding machines. This segregated area is close to being rated as a clean room, according to the company.
The firm has 70 employees. While it serves the electrical, industrial, government and computer industries, 85 percent of its business is in the medical industry.