Heavy-gauge thermoformer Mayfield Plastics Inc. last week broke ground on a $3 million project in Sutton, Mass., to expand, while consolidating in one 60,000-square-foot facility.
The company currently operates out of three buildings in Worcester, about 10 miles north of Sutton.
``What we are trying to do is get all the warehousing, finished goods, machinery and molds in one big building,'' President Ronald Cross said in a July 23 telephone interview.
Key markets include medical, telecommunications and some educational. Cross said sales at the private company are about $4.5 million annually, and are running 10-15 percent ahead of last year.
Mayfield's parent company is S. Ralph Cross & Sons Inc., a company started in 1917 by his grandfather. His father, Gordon Cross, who is semi-retired but still with the company, started Mayfield Plastics in 1972. He added 10,000 square feet to the manufacturing site in 1982.
The current undertaking, according to Ronald Cross, is the company's biggest project. Mayfield bought land for the expansion in late 2000, but delayed the project when the economy slowed. Cross said he hopes to relocate to the new plant by June.
The new building will improve efficiency and provide room for new equipment.
Mayfield has one five-axis machining center, and may add more. It also may add a rotary thermoforming machine.
Cross said the company also is looking at other work, including plastic fabrication.
Mayfield employs 30, and Cross anticipates adding five or six more workers.
