Ferry Industries Inc. of Stow, Ohio, has improved its line of clamshell rotational molding machines.
“We upgraded that line and made key changes to make it more efficient and reliable,” Terrance Gillian, vice president of sales, said by telephone.
Ferry acquired the line in September 2000. The previous owner, FSP Machinery Co. (Canada) Inc. of Winkler, Manitoba, was virtually the only maker of clamshell machines and built controls, fans, hydraulic units, burners and other components.
FSP officials “had the market, but they didn't take the clamshell to the optimum level,” he said. Ferry, which specializes in rotomolding machinery technology, went to commercial sources because “we are not the experts” on peripheral systems, Gillian said.
Engineers at Ferry fully integrated the single-station, single-arm clamshell line, improved airflow in the oven and established specifications consistent with other Ferry products. Machines are available from 2-12 feet, in 2-foot increments, and cost $40,000-$145,000, Gillian said.
The firm moved manufacturing of FSP clamshell and shuttle machines from Winkler to Stow in March and April and closed the Winkler site, which employed about 25. Ferry offered transfers to Stow to a few workers, but none accepted.
“We were going to leave the company open [in Manitoba], but we couldn't make a profit due to the whole economic turndown,” Gillian said.
Tel. (330) 920-9200, fax (330) 920-4200, e-mail [email protected]
