TULSA, OKLA. — Fiber Pad Inc., a rapidly growing, Tulsa-based thermoformer, expects April 30 to move to a new, 50,000-square-foot facility in a nearby industrial park, effectively doubling its operational space.
The firm is investing about $1 million in the plant, said Bob Walshaw, general manager.
Fiber Pad is an original parts maker for large trucks and buses. It employs 80 but anticipates hiring 20 or more workers during the next year when the company goes to a multishift operation.
In addition to its vehicle parts work, Fiber Pad makes components for the electronic, aviation and agricultural markets, among others. Its operations include mold design and construction, vacuum packaging and computer numerically controlled, five-axis router cutting.
``Our general industry parts are in greater demand because many of our customers are expanding,'' Walshaw said by telephone.
Walshaw said Fiber Pad may add a second five-axis router, as plans call for the firm to increase production by 50 percent during the next two years. About a third of the firm's annual $3 million in sales are from thermoforming.