Regal adding 2 large presses to stable
ROSEVILLE, MICH. — Regal Plastics Co. is entering the large-ton injection molding arena.
The Roseville company this spring plans to buy two presses with clamping forces of 1,500 tons from General Motors Corp. GM is contracting Regal for some of the molding work the automaker used to perform in-house.
Both presses will go to Regal's 80,000-square-foot, Owosso, Mich., facility, which currently has 32 presses, all with clamping forces of less than 1,000 tons.
Vice President Catherine Pullen said the company plans to buy more large presses in the future.
The Owosso facility currently employs 180. Pullen said the company will hire more employees to handle the additional business, but she could give no definite figures yet.
Regal, which reported 1998 sales of $35 million, employs 275 at the Owosso and Roseville plants. The company operates 48 presses and serves the automotive market, manufacturing interior trim and parts such as air ducts and retainers.
JD Plastics doubles press units to four
ADRIAN, MICH. — Injection molder JD Plastics Inc. has bought two new presses with clamping forces of 350 and 500 tons.
The purchase adds to the company's existing two presses, with 350 and 650 tons.
President David Edwards said he plans to hire as many as 10 additional employees. The Adrian-based company now employs 13 in the 7,000-square-foot facility.
JD Plastics, established in December 1995, serves automotive and other custom-molding customers. The firm reported 1998 sales of $500,000.
Fabrik again growing at McHenry, Ill., plant
MCHENRY, ILL. — Fabrik Molded Plastics Co. continues to expand, and by November will have a total of 150,000 square feet at its McHenry facility.
Fabrik built the facility and moved into it in 1992. It currently occupies 90,000 square feet of the 120,000-square-foot building. In November it will take over the other 30,000 square feet, which now is being rented to another firm.
The company also has refurbished the 30,000-square-foot McHenry building it occupied before the move. Fabrik is using that building as a warehouse for raw materials and finished goods. In addition, the company opened a pad-printing and assembly facility March 15.
Rather than renewing the lease last year on its equipment, Fabrik bought its own presses and expanded its capabilities, said President Seth Wagner.
Fabrik operates 57 presses with clamping forces of 55-400 tons.
Wagner said the firm needs to expand to handle increased business with existing accounts. The company primarily serves the automotive industry, but also serves the electronics, computer, medical and industrial markets.
Fabrik employs 180 and reported 1998 sales of $28 million, up from $25 million in 1997.