Engel to add local molding expertise

Austrian injection molding machinery supplier Engel Group is establishing a “decentralized” network of mold experts in its sales regions to increase its local presence in various markets.

The Schwertberg-based company, which has had an entire department dedicated to injection mold technology for more than a decade, said July 5 that the move was prompted by increasing demand from customers who refer to the company for advice on mold design.

The networks will start with China, where the company has now set up a mold technology department at its Shanghai office, an Engel spokeswoman told Plastics News Europe.

The department, she explained, will be expanded in the future, but currently has two members: Davy Kong who will head the department and Ian Wang, a mold manager.

The team will develop mold solutions tailored to products and manufacturing processes in partnership with a mold producing partner.

Engel also expects to extend the project to its production plant in York, Pa., next year to accommodate for the market in North America.

According to the Engel spokeswoman, the aim is to employ local expertise for local demand.

Explaining the rationale behind the decision, Engel said developing customized injection molding solutions needs thorough understanding of available technologies, product specifications and regional characteristics.

And, as production solutions become more complex, such aspects become more important.

With the more localized approach, Engel will aim to develop its capability to propose “the most suitable mold manufacturer for a specific project and advises customers on their choice of partner.”

“Injection mold technology calls for a great deal of coordination and close cooperation between ourselves, as the system solutions provider, and the plastics processors. That's why it is so important to establish mold technology expertise close to our clients and have contact persons who speak their language,” explained Christoph Steger, chief sales officer for Engel Group.