Security takes ups two-shot molding
MIAMI LAKES, FLA. — Security Plastics Inc. recently entered the two-shot molding arena in response to a customer's needs.
``A division of one of our long-time Tier 1 customers [needed] a reliable molder with proven quality ... for three programs already in production,'' said Nelson Rodriguez, automotive business unit manager.
Security Plastics West in McAllen, Texas, now is molding 11 different cosmetic plastic components used in automotive audio and cruise controls.
Other customers in the automotive business unit have shown interest in two-shot molding, as well as customers in the electronics, telecommunications and commercial/industrial business sectors, he said.
Security Plastics West employs 108 at its 64,000-square-foot facility. The plant operates 40 presses with clamping forces of 55-300 tons.
The Miami Lakes-based company primarily has been known for its proprietary Hetero-Cavity modular molding and conventional custom injection molding. Hetero-Cavity molding uses small, quick-change tools mounted in a custom mold base, allowing several customers' parts to run in one base using a common material, sharing overhead costs.
The company recently added Hetero-Cavity molding to the Security Plastics Caribe facility in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. Hetero-Cavity molding previously had been used only at the headquarters plant in Miami Lakes.
The 57,000-square-foot Security Plastics Caribe facility employs 131 and has 31 presses with clamping forces of 55-500 tons.
Mary Ellen Thomas, marketing communications manager, said the company plans to expand the use of Hetero-Cavity to the other two plants, Security Plastics West and Security Plastics de Mexico, in Chihuahua, Mexico.
The Miami Lakes and McAllen facilities also began thin-wall molding in the past year.
Security Plastics' four facilities operate a total of 161 injection molding presses with clamping forces of 40-500 tons and employ about 1,140.
Par 4 Plastics Inc. adding new facility
MARION, KY. — Par 4 Plastics Inc. is spending $4 million on expanded capacity to keep up with growth. The company is building a $2.4 million, 52,000-square-foot facility on 10 acres of land that will be completed in early May.
The new facility is one-half mile away from the 32,000-square-foot facility the company currently leases, and in the same Marion industrial complex.
President Joe McDaniel said the current facility is too small to hold the equipment needed to meet the growing demands of existing and new customers. The company's sales for 1998 were $5.1 million, up from $3.9 million in 1997.
McDaniel said the company has been able to complete current projects by running the facility seven days a week. Par 4 has projects scheduled for midsummer that require it to be in the new facility.
Par 4 plans to buy six or seven additional presses in the first year, including two with clamping forces of 750-800 tons. The company currently has 19 presses with clamping forces of 75-600 tons and employs 49.
Craftech lining up secondary services
ANAHEIM, CALIF. — Craftech Corp., an Anaheim-based design, tooling and injection molding company, has developed new in-line capabilities in its secondary operations department.
The new capabilities include in-line cable assembly, multiple heat-inserting and overmolding. The firm also does silk screening, pad printing, thermal transfer, sonic welding, conductive shielding, painting, hot stamping and assembly.
The company purchased eight new molding machines with clamping forces of 30-550 tons, giving it a total of 26 machines.
Craftech has had offshore tooling alliances in Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong for two years and expects to complete negotiations this year for offshore assembly alliances.
According to Alfredo Bonetto, senior vice president, Craftech's sales have grown to about $16 million a year. The firm employs 240.
Craftech does custom injection molding for original equipment manufacturers in the health-care, pharmaceutical, optical, automotive and other industries.
Toronto Plastics looks at expansion options
TORONTO — Injection molder Toronto Plastics Ltd. said it may build another facility in the Toronto area, or acquire a company, preferably in the Great Lakes area.
President David McQueen said plans are not firm, but the company may build a 40,000- to 50,000-square-foot facility by the summer of 2001. The new plant would have 15-20 presses, with clamping forces of less than 500 tons, and would employ about 50.
McQueen said there is no option for physical expansion of the company's existing, 68,000-square-foot Toronto facility, but additional presses for the plant are a possibility. The company now runs 26 lines and employs 160.
``We experienced 30 percent growth this year and have 25 percent growth locked in for next year,'' McQueen said.
The company reported 1998 sales of US$18 million, up from US$14 million in 1997.
Toronto Plastics serves the automotive, business machine, telecommunications and electronics markets, and does assembly work.