DETROIT — Decatur Plastic Products Inc. will spend nearly $1 million to expand its injection molding operation, to keep up with increasing demands. The North Vernon, Ind.-based business added a flocking line last year, which shoots extruded strands of nylon and polyethylene onto an auto-trim part coated with adhesive to provide a softer feel for interior pieces.
Now some customers attracted by the flocking process are asking Decatur to do more molding, sales manager Jack Apsley said at the Automotive & Transportation Interiors Expo, held May 16-18 in Detroit.
"Everything continues to grow," Apsley said. "We're getting new business, and some customers are transferring contracts to us [from other suppliers]."
The 20,000-square-foot expansion at North Vernon will cost about $600,000 alone, he said. A 725-ton Milacron press is set for delivery this month, and at least one more press is on its way.
The company also will add about 70 employees to its present base of 130, Apsley said.
Decatur anticipates $10 million to $12 million in business this year, up from $8 million in 1999, he said.
