Viking Plastics Inc. is investing in automation to support an ambitious growth plan.
The Corry, Pa., company spent about $400,000 this year to add two automated assembly machines and it expects to spend a similar amount next year on a similar program, said President and Chief Executive Officer Kelly Goodsel. Automation improves quality, productivity and ultimately the bottom line, he said.
The firm has embarked on an expansion program revealed when it celebrated its 30th year in mid-August. Goodsel said in a telephone interview that Viking targets more than $50 million in annual sales by 2006, more than triple its current level of about $14 million a year.
Viking will grow internally as it exploits trends toward systems integration in heating, ventilation and air-conditioning markets and in fuel systems. Its series of specialty sealing caps, plugs and other protective products help customers replace metal and simplify production and assembly in automotive, industrial, medical and electronics markets. It counts among its customers Carrier Corp., DaimlerChrysler Corp., Honeywell International Inc. and TRW Inc.
Goodsel said nearly a third of Viking's sales climb could come through internal growth, with the rest from acquisitions. His company is not seriously negotiating any deals now, he indicated.
Viking runs 25 injection presses with clamping forces up to 700 tons, six fully automated assembly machines and four semi-automatic assembly systems in a 65,000-square-foot plant. Besides assembly, the QS 9000- and ISO 9002-registered operation does product development and other secondary services. It churns out 300 million parts annually.
Viking is a subsidiary of Omega Polymer Technologies Inc., which also owns Carsonite International Corp., an extruder and pultruder of highway products, and Omega Pultrusions Inc.