Radius Product Development Inc., a design and engineering firm with ties to injection molder Nypro Inc., has opened an office in Chicago.
Radius is based in Clinton, Mass., close to joint venture partner Nypro. But the design firm wants to concentrate on Midwest clients, said John Van Akkeren, vice president and general manager of the Chicago office, which will focus on consumer-products customers. The company also develops products for medical and commercial/industrial applications.
Van Akkeren formerly was vice president of product development at Chicago-based Joss Design. He joined Radius partly because of the company's connection to Nypro and its ability to move products from design to manufacturing.
Radius also works with other molders and suppliers outside of Nypro.
Nypro's influence plays a major factor, he said: ``It lets us provide the service and focus of a small business, but lets us leverage the horsepower of a large corporation.''
The 6,000-square-foot office employs 10 but expects to expand to 20-25 within a year, Van Akkeren said.
