Spending $1 million on a new building in Seaford, Del., and increasing its work force by 50 percent, Craig Technologies Inc. is counting on its interstate move to pay dividends. "We wanted to move to a newer facility to allow us to grow with our customers," said Robert J. Hollenbeck, vice president and co-owner of the precision plastic-ball manufacturer.
The company moved about 100 miles four months ago. It formerly occupied a rented 15,000 square foot facility near Philadelphia.
The new facility occupies 25,000 square feet and contains $150,000 in new equipment.
"It's perfect for our applications," Hollenbeck said. "It has 18-foot ceilings, the floor is highly insulated and it's energy efficient."
The company does machining and injection molding. It has six presses with clamping forces from 50-450 tons.
The company makes precision plastic balls for bearings, pumps and valves. It also does work for medical, appliance, auto and pharmaceutical applications.
The company had $2 million in sales last year and is growing at a 10 percent clip, according to Hollenbeck.
He is a co-owner along with his two brothers — Donald C., who is president and Paul J., a vice president — and Lee F. O'Hara, the chief financial officer. They bought the firm six years ago.
Some 10 of 14 employees made the move to Delaware. The company now has 21 employees and is running two full shifts.
The company's facility is on six acres in an industrial park. It has room to expand, with room for another similar-sized building, if necessary.