Woodland Plastics Corp., a new thermoset molder, began production in Addison, Ill., in late May.
Lee Sinderson, a 30-year veteran of thermoset molding, established the firm with his son Stephen, the partners announced in a recent news release.
Stephen Sinderson said they invested about $1 million in a 20,000-square-foot plant, five injection presses and related equipment. He said the firm will focus on automotive, consumer, electrical and electronic markets.
Woodland's first contracts are with Tier 2 auto parts suppliers, but Sinderson said the firm is bidding on big General Motors Corp. jobs. If Woodland lands the GM work, it is likely to double its thermoset capacity. It now runs presses from 50-500 tons.
Lee Sinderson owned Woodland Molded Plastics Corp. of Broadview, Ill., until he sold it to Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership early in 1991. He stayed on with the new owners as vice president and general manager and said he helped develop GM's Northstar nylon composite engine manifold, made by lost-core molding. After six years, he wanted to run his own business again.
Stephen Sinderson said the firm mainly will do glass-fiber-reinforced polyester molding, but may mold some engineering thermoplastics, depending on customer needs. It has new Toshiba presses and various reconditioned machines.
Some of Woodland's key employees agreed to become part owners of the firm and they expect to complete legal paperwork in about a month.
