Injection molder U.S. Thermoplastics Inc. of Temecula, Calif., is absorbing the operations of a sister company, Trico Plastics Inc. of Azusa, Calif. "The relocation will lend itself to investment in newer technologies to keep us competitive," Sedge Dienst, chief executive officer of KCA Engineered Plastics Inc., said in a news release.
KCA is a unit of San Francisco holding company KCA Partners Ltd. It acquired large-part molder Trico in 1995 and small-part molder U.S. Thermoplastics in 1996.
Infrastructure preparations began in November in the leased, 32,000-square-foot Temecula facility and included converting 1,500 square feet of offices to accommodate plant equipment.
Fifteen of 20 Trico presses will be moved between mid-April and late May, U.S. Thermoplastics President Joel Ford said by telephone. The other machines will be sold. Trico's presses, mostly HPMs, have clamping forces of 100-1,000 tons.
Trico Plastics has 65 employees working on a three-shift schedule. It occupies a leased facility of about 30,000 square feet and focuses on custom molding for aerospace, defense and recreational firearm markets.
"We've recruited 25 of the current employees to stay on, and we are making van pooling arrangements," Ford said. Seventy miles separate the plants.
At one time, Trico employed 15 in a now-closed toolroom.
U.S. Thermoplastics employs 36, including four in mold making, and operates 25 presses of 28-100 tons, often using high-heat-resistant resins. Most machines are Arburgs.
The firm makes about 90 percent of its molds in the fully equipped toolroom.