Rick Finnie, president and owner of M.R. Mold & Engineering Corp., has been named Mold Builder of the Year by the American Mold Builders Association.
AMBA members honored Finnie, whose career spans more than 40 years, during the May 8-10 AMBA conference in Itasca, Ill.
M.R. Mold of Brea, Calif., makes injection molds for liquid silicone rubber and thermoplastics molding, including insert molds, molds for overmolding and micro molds.
Finnie started learned the mold making trade in his father's cutter and grinder business when he was 15.
"At an early age, he learned the value of a strong work ethic and what it meant to be take pride in one's work," AMBA officials said in a news release.
Two decades later, he opened his own shop with one employee. Today, M.R. Mold employs more than 30.
Finnie is an authority on silicone molds, using out-of-the-box thinking to innovate. Over the years, he has developed his own cold runner system, universal base, pneumatic stuffer box, valve-gated controller and vacuum seal.
Finnie served on the AMBA board for several years in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was responsible for the creation of the California chapter, serving as chapter president for several years. M.R. Mold has received several AMBA Educational Awards and AMBA Grant Awards.
He is a frequent speaker at industry events.
In 2018, the California mold maker hosted more than 400 students from five different school districts at a Manufacturing Day event — that lasted the entire week.
Progressive Components provided Finnie with $5,000 for use in an industry-related education program of his choice.