Closure's popularity prompts expansion
SEBASTOPOL, CALIF. — Innovative Molding Inc., a Sebastopol-based company that designs, manufactures and lines closures, is outfitting its 17-month-old plant in Atkins, Ark., and making plans for future growth.
The company supplies closures in sizes from 28-120 millimeters. The Arkansas plant opened in February 2008 and operates Husky injection presses with clamping forces of 225-400 tons, plus lining machines and other secondary equipment.
“We needed this location to make the company more competitive,” said Ron Cook, vice president in charge of the plant.
Innovative Molding is known for its lightweight closures, and for its design that allows its closures to stack together, forming logs to protect each part during shipping and storage. The tapered stacking allows the top of the lid to support the weakest part, or skirt, of the closure. Cook attributes the company's need to expand to the popularity of the closure design.
The company added 30 jobs when it opened the new plant, Cook said, but he would not provide details on the company's investment in Atkins.
Innovative Molding's corporate headquarters has been in Sebastopol for more than 25 years. The company has been growing at a double-digit pace for the past three years, according to Rodger Moody, vice president of sales.
“If we continue the growth we've shown over the last three years, another plant is probable in the next four to five years,” Moody said.
The company's closures are used on packaging for food, pharmaceutical and personal-care products.
Premix buying machine to meet demand
NORTH KINGSVILLE, OHIO — Thermoset compounder and molder Premix Inc. of North Kingsville is acquiring a 2,000-ton compression molding machine and expects to bring it up to speed during the third quarter.
Macrodyne Technologies Inc. of Concord, Ontario, built the hydraulic down-stroking press, which has a monolithic frame designed to process sheet molding compound using molds measuring up to 120 inches by 96 inches.
Premix ordered the press to meet demand in its existing markets for construction and residential exterior fiber-reinforced-plastic doors. In addition, Premix is pursuing opportunities in the renewable energy market, including solar and wind applications.
The company already operates 49 compression molding presses of 50-2,000 tons, including a 400-ton Macrodyne, and four injection molding machines of 250-400 tons.
“These are challenging times, but Premix remains focused on the future,” Tom Meola, Premix president and chief operating officer, said in a news release. “After 50 years, our company is emerging stronger and better-positioned than ever, both in terms of our financial strength, technical offerings and manufacturing capabilities.”
Premix employs 315 in a 330,000-square-foot facility in North Kingsville. Its wholly owned subsidiary Quantum Composites in Bay City, Mich., employs 20. Quantum, which focuses on engineering structural composites, operates a 50,000-square-foot site.
Pact with Satellite lets Hampel grow
GERMANTOWN, WIS. — Thermoformer Hampel Corp. is expanding to meet manufacturing demands.
Hampel recently formed a partnership with Satellite Industries Inc. of Minneapolis and will increase production capacity by adding a new thermoforming machine and 59,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space. Hampel intends to hire 10 more workers and restart a third shift.
“We are using this as an opportunity to refocus ourselves and pursue [original equipment manufacturer] customers and expand contracting with the thermoforming side of our business,” said Joe Weber, Hampel marketing manager.
Satellite, a privately owned manufacturer of portable toilets, sinks, deodorizers and service trucks, purchased Hampel's line of portable restrooms June 1. Satellite will take over ownership, operation, sales and marketing of Hampel's Global and 1.5 Global portable restrooms, as well as the StyleLite interior hand-washing sink from Hampel.
Hampel will produce all of Satellite's thermoformed parts.
Satellite claims to be the No. 1 supplier of portable sanitation equipment in the world, with customers in 75 countries. With the acquisition, Satellite will now produce six kinds of portable toilets.
“With this purchase, we can offer more products and a more complete service,” said Doug Loebertmann, vice president of Satellite.
Hampel has 79 employees and nine manufacturing lines, with annual sales of $23.5 million. Located in Germantown, Hampel also makes calf housing, reusable packaging and custom parts.
Copyright 2009 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved.