It's time southwest Washington had another rotational molder, according to SmaK Plastics Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Jon Smalley.
Smalley, who has worked in rotomolding for eight years and is a mechanical engineer by trade, joined with three partners to launch SmaK production in April. The company operates one rotmolding machine in 25,000 square feet of leased manufacturing space in Vancouver, Wash.
A second, larger machine will be running by mid-June, he said.
``Most of our focus has been to get the machines up and running,'' Smalley said, in a telephone interview.
He said the company has acquired new and used machinery and is moving it into an 8-year-old building that had served as warehouse space in the past.
Smalley said the company will be making such items as playground equipment, sports equipment and aftermarket parts for recreational vehicles. He expects $2 million in sales the first year, and projects to reach $5 million annually within five years.
Smalley said two other principal investors currently are working at the company - his wife Beth Smalley is handling human resources and accounts receivables, while Lorendia Kunz is in charge of customer service and purchasing. SmaK has eight other employees, but expects to double that as soon as machinery is added.
He said the majority of Smak's customers are in the Northwest. The company's location is crucial, in that much of the work will be transported by truck, he said.
The number of plastics companies in the Clark County area is growing, according to Jeanie Ashe, director of business recruitment for the Columbia River Economic Development Council in Vancouver. She said key reasons are the area's low utility rate and abundant water resources.
