ORANGE, CALIF. — Custom injection molder RPM Plastic Molding has added a 165-ton Nan Rong press in an expansion of its offerings. RPM's other presses include a 110-ton JSW, a 55-ton Boy and a 30-ton insert molding unit from Illinois Precision Corp.
One product niche involves an electronic hotel-key line with an embedded computer chip. Also, Orange-based RPM molds lock parts and internal components for locks and keyboard bezels.
The partnership molds parts for automotive applications and some consumer products, said Phil Hothan, a partner in RPM and president of sister company Select Mold Inc.
Robert Ruen, Hothan and Mike Ferik formed RPM in 1994 using their first initials for the name. Hothan formed Select Mold in 1982 and has employed Ferik there for 12 years. Hothan credits Ruen with teaching him how to make molds.
The businesses share an 8,500-square-foot plant, offer full services from design through assembly and recently established a Web site at www.rpmselect.com. RPM employs five and Select Mold four, with some workers spending time with each operation.
Recently, RPM and Select Mold received supplier honors from the Ontario, Calif., facility of Dyson Kissner Moran Corp.'s Wabash Technologies division. The division includes operations of Spectrol Electronics.