EAS moving corporate operations to South Carolina

EAS Mold & Die Change Systems Inc. is moving its corporate operations for North and Central America to a 6,000-square-foot facility in Greenville, S.C.

The Dutch company, which makes quick clamping and quick changing systems for injection molding machines and metal stamping presses, as well as mold and die handling equipment, previously housed its North and Central American headquarters in Menomonee Falls, Wis.

Vincent Nijzink, CEO of EAS Europe BV in Renswoude, Netherlands, said in an April 19 email that the Wisconsin facility will remain open, but employees will move to a smaller office.

"Next to moving the office, the Wisconsin operation will change function," Nijzink said. "Now it will be a sales office and service center for the northern part of the USA and Canada instead of being our North American HQ."

Currently, two people work in the Wisconsin office, but Nijzink said he is looking to add another sales person and a service technician.

The company's initial investment in the move will be around $200,000 and includes production setup for selected products, increasing stock levels and expanding service and maintenance capabilities.

EAS is leasing two out of five suites at the Greenville facility, which is part of the South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center, a manufacturing hub that is home to more than 100 companies working in various industries. One third of the company's leased property will be used for offices, with a majority of the space allotted for a warehouse and assembly plant.

"Our target is to increase sales in the coming three years, while establishing production and supplier relationships in order to move to a larger facility where we can produce the entire product line in a three- to five-year horizon," Nijzink said.

The company has five employees at the South Carolina facility, which should be up and running in the coming weeks, with a plan to hire a total of 20 workers for positions such as sales people, project managers, mechanical engineers and logistics, purchase and service staff, during the next three years.

Within the last decade, EAS said it has observed a revitalization of the automotive industry, both in the United States and Mexico, with increased investments from foreign car manufacturers as well as a reshoring trend. Part of the company's strategy for North and Central America, Nijzink said, is to increase its own U.S.-based production and substantially expand its service network in the region as well as driving U.S. sales in the automotive sector, specifically, to match those of Europe.

"Our U.S. sales have been stable over the last five to 10 years, while we've experienced a 300 percent growth in Europe and a 500 percent growth in Asia in the same time period. We feel that current market conditions should allow us to double our U.S. sales this year," Nijzink said.

"Next to this, we have seen an increase of interest in automation for small to medium companies," he added. "Quick mold and die change solutions have become more affordable in recent years, and our increased presence in the U.S. will allow us to focus more on these types of companies as well."

Visitors to NPE2018 can find EAS Mold & Die Change Systems Inc. at Booth W1183.