Several ex-employees of Canadian downstream extrusion equipment maker Metaplast Ltd. have formed their own company to build downstream equipment for extrusion, called F.A.B.E. Custom Downstream Systems Inc., in Dorval, Quebec.
Custom Downstream Systems started in August, said President Franco Pecora.
CDS is making downstream equipment for extrusion, such as calibrators, vacuum sizing equipment, haul-offs, cut-off saws and machines for embossing. The company also will make custom equipment and refurbish used equipment, Pecora said.
Customers include companies that extrude profiles, window frames, pipe, tubing and custom extrusions.
Pecora said the four founding partners have a combined 60 years of experience in specialty machining. They are Pecora, formerly the production manager at Metaplast; Secretary Barry Reynolds, who was Metaplast sales manager; Alain Baelde and Exsay Southidara. Baelde and Southidara were foremen at Metaplast; they are both vice presidents at Custom Downstream Systems.
CDS has 15 employees, Pecora said.
Metaplast of Lachine, Quebec, was purchased by Conair Group on April 8. The Metaplast plant is the first Canadian production facility for auxiliary equipment manufacturer Conair, based in Emsworth, Pa., near Pittsburgh.
Conrad Bessemer, Conair's executive vice president, said Metaplast replaced all four of the men who left to form CDS, and has beefed up its employment.
``Since that time period we've hired 10 additional people'' bringing employment from 40 to 50, Bessemer said. He said the company also is investing in a computer system for production scheduling.