Trademark Plastics Inc. is adding a location in Tijuana, Mexico, to meet growing demand from medical device and consumer product customers.
The Riverside, Calif.-based custom injection molder plans to begin Tijuana operations in October in 33,000 square feet of space, including a 20,000-square-foot Class 100,000 clean room, said David Carty, chief operating officer, and John Taylor, vice president of operations.
Trademark management decided in mid-March to proceed with the project.
Trademark's initial effort will involve 15 injection molding machines ranging from 60-350 tons of clamping force in the clean room, some assembly work and up to 50 employees.
In starting the Tijuana operation, Trademark will move some equipment from Riverside and is likely to acquire newer replacement presses for use in Riverside.
Trademark hopes to have a second phase done by the end of 2016 with machine clamping forces up to 500 tons as customer needs dictate. Additional capacity is contemplated in a third phase in 2018. Upon completion, the total facility would occupy 127,000 square feet.
Trademark contracted with administrative services provider Co-Production International Inc. for plant construction in an anticipated three phases and ongoing maquiladora operations. Shelter operator CPI has its U.S. office in Chula Vista, Calif., near Tijuana and its Mexican office in Tecate. Both Tijuana and Tecate are near the U.S. border in the Mexican state of Baja California.
In its current Riverside facility, Trademark employs 210 of whom 125 are in permanent positions, operates 50 injection molding machines of 5-500 tons and occupies 100,000 square feet on 5.5 acres. Medical device components account for about 80 percent of Trademark's business, according to Bryan Barrera, sales manager.
Recently, medical technology giant Becton, Dickinson & Co. of Franklin Lakes, N.J., recognized Trademark as supplier of the year in BD's small business-global category.
Trademark injection molds parts for BD's instrument components and lasers product lines. The recognition related to Trademark's support with required changes stemming from BD's December 2012 acquisition of Safety Syringes Inc. of Carlsbad, Calif. The transitions included process and documentation changes and investments in tools and presses for BD products.
Jerry Carty founded Trademark in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., in 1989 and moved the business to Riverside in 2002. He died in 2005, but family members continue his legacy. Carty's widow, Carolyn, is president; daughter Erin Carty is CEO; and daughter Kristin Carty is corporate secretary. Trademark is certified as a women's business enterprise.