Durakon Industries Inc., known for its aftermarket auto products, is exploring medical market opportunities for heavy-gauge thermoformed structural parts and enclosures.
``Durakon is now jumping into the low-volume medical structural part business,'' said consultant Peter Mooney, who Durakon retained in mid-2007 to help it investigate the market. Mooney is president of Plastics Custom Research Services of Advance, N.C.
Durakon exhibited for the first time at the Medical Design & Manufacturing West trade show, held Jan. 29-31 in Anaheim, Calif., to tout what it sees as the advantages of thermoforming, vs. processes like reaction injection molding and fiberglass reinforcement, for large medical equipment.
``We can make bigger parts, and we are pleased with the initial results'' said Dennis DeLeonard, vice president of automotive aftermarket sales and marketing.
Lapeer-based Durakon is a major thermoformer of drop-in bedliners for pickup trucks, ABS tonneau covers and bed mats, with 2007 sales of $106 million.