Crocker Ltd. has expanded capacity by acquiring two B-30 Impco extrusion blow molding machines from a defunct business. Crocker of Three Rivers, Mich., installed one of the machines at its Coldwater, Mich., plant where, since early this month, it has been molding fuel tanks for lawn and garden equipment, said Ted Crocker, vice president of national accounts. The other went to its Three Rivers operation, where the company is rebuilding and upgrading equipment to remain competitive.
The two machines boost Crocker's blow molding machine count to 27, with shot sizes of 1-5 pounds. The Impco machines are dual-head models capable of 5-pound shots. Ted Crocker said his firm spent about $95,000 to buy them from Narnac Industries of Witchita, Kan. Narnac used them to make parts for recreational goods manufacturer Coleman Co. Inc.
A few years ago, Coleman decided to bring blow molding in- house, leaving Narnac without its major customer. Narnac subsequently went out of business, said Ted Crocker.
Crocker is a diverse custom blow molder with more than 170 active accounts, he said. Its customer base includes automotive, appliance, construction and sporting-goods manufacturers. It mainly processes high density polyethylene, but also works with other polyolefins and styrenics.
Ted Crocker jointly owns the business with his brother J. Lincoln Crocker, the company's vice president of manufacturing. They acquired the company three years ago from their father, Alan Crocker, who founded the business in 1973. It has annual sales of more than $20 million and employs about 250.