Longtime custom injection molder W.K. Hillquist Inc. is adding its first all-electric molding machine, to save on its electric bill.
Michael Torpey, vice president and general manager, said the Hudson, N.H., company is installing a Niigata 310 all-electric machine this month.
``We felt that this is the right time to move into all-electric machines. We are not looking at only one, but looking at many more over many years,'' he said in a recent telephone interview.
He said Hillquist has been in business 36 years and has been successful with its hydraulic machinery. However, with careful scrutiny of the market, the company realized there is an advantage to all-electrics, he said.
The firm expects the new machine to save it $6,600 on its electric bill the first year. Torpey said the company also will get a 75 percent rebate of the difference between the price of hydraulic and all-electric machines from its local electric company's conservation program.
The new machine will enable Hillquist to retire a couple of smaller machines. With the new Niigata, the company has 21 presses at its 36,000-square-foot facility. It employs 42.
Torpey said the new machine will have a robot to create a work cell that will help the firm expand its medical work.
Hillquist also makes proprietary point-of-purchase displays.
The company had $4.6 million in sales last year and is looking to increase that by $1 million this year, Torpey said, adding that the firm also is looking to hire a few toolmakers.
