Mold maker Electroform Co. Inc. has launched an expansion, with a new sales office and engineering facility already in place, and planning under way for a technical center.
The Rockford, Ill.-based injection mold maker also plans to build a new headquarters in late 2006 that will house both manufacturing operations and the technical center.
The tech center will give the firm space to focus on new production capabilities, President Wade Clark said in an Aug. 18 telephone interview.
``We can't wait until the larger facility is ready,'' he said. ``The initial facility will help us get the building design right and make sure we have all processes and the company structure in place before embarking on the construction of the larger building.''
The center will provide space for the company to improve its capabilities in multishot molds and new mold-cooling techniques, tooling design and insert molding techniques, according to Clark. It also will house six Engel injection molding machines - four of them new.
Electroform already has a 100-ton horizontal press and a 125-ton vertical press. Those will be joined at the center by four more injection molding presses, including multimaterial and high-speed machines.
The research and development investment will allow the company to offer new molding technology, a wider variety of prototype production and more ways to improve cycle times.
``With proper planning, we have been able to manage our growth and make major changes to the company without disruption,'' Clark said.
The firm will add as many as five people to its base of 26 employees, and Clark said he expects business to double within three to four years, though he did not disclose sales.
Electroform also recently opened a sales office in Columbia, S.C., and a technical sales and engineering operation in Clearwater, Fla., to help it expand its offerings to customers in the South.
``We are hoping to have some mold-making capabilities at our Florida location in a few months,'' Clark said. ``We will be hiring additional engineers and toolmaking personnel for that plant.''
Electroform also may be looking at expanding into the West soon, he said.