Film and sheet extruder Integrated Packaging Films Inc. is spending about US$3 million to expand capacity at its Ayr, Ontario, production plant.
“We want to reduce lead times and we're looking into different markets,” said President Bill Mechar in a phone interview from his Ayr headquarters.
The company is installing its third extrusion line for processing virgin and recycled PET and polypropylene. A fourth line will be on stream by March, boosting Integrated's annual production capacity to about 30 million pounds, about double it was able to run before the expansion, Mechar estimated.
Integrated, which recently celebrated its 19th year in business, will use the extra capacity to boost its presence in thermoforming markets and to produce print-grade PET sheet. Mechar said his company now makes roll stock but with the fourth line it will add a sheeter to give it capability to make single sheets as well.
Integrated recently took on another investor, thermoforming veteran Mark Faber, early in 2015.
Integrated started out making recycled PET sheet for thermoformed packaging for electronics. In 2002 it bought another PET extrusion line to make film and sheet for a wider range of markets, including automotive, food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and consumer goods. It sells the majority of its output in the United States, with domestic Canadian markets accounting for the balance. Annual sales run about $10.5 million.
Integrated employs about 30 and Mechar expects that to climb by as many as ten when the expansion is completed.