VANCOUVER, WASH. — TriQuest Precision Plastics is leasing a new injection molding facility in Apodaca, Mexico, near Monterrey. TriQuest purchased 13 Milacron presses and moved 17 other machines to the site from the company's headquarters facility in Vancouver, and a now-closed TriQuest plant in Calgary, Alberta. The presses have clamping forces of 55-500 tons.
The facility was developed to support a large telecommunications customer, but is expected to supply electronic, business equipment and other telecommunications companies, said Angel Font, director general of TriQuest Precision Plastics SA de CV.
The Apodaca facility became fully operational March 1. It employs 150 and could double that figure by year's end, the firm said. Construction began in September and was completed in late January.
TriQuest entered the Mexican market in 1996 through management and then ownership of Phoenix International SA de CV in Zapopan, near Guadalajara. Now, the Zapopan site employs 700 in three buildings totaling 180,000 square feet. Font also oversees that location.
The Zapopan operation has 72 presses of 55-850 tons and performs mold making, pad printing, robot-equipped painting and decorating, electronic shielding and off-line assembly. The assembly includes custom cables, wires and harness lines.
TriQuest had 1999 sales of $91 million, up from the previous year's $90 million. Joseph Devine was named president and chief executive officer in October.
The firm employs 1,500 at facilities in Vancouver, Seattle, Baxter, Minn, and Mexico. TriQuest on Jan. 1 closed its Calgary operation, which employed 200.
Sealaska Corp. of Juneau, Alaska, acquired 90 percent of TriQuest in late 1997 and now operates TriQuest as a subsidiary.
