Kickstart: The color of efficiency

Everyone has probably heard some variation on the Henry Ford quote from the early 1900s that customers could "have a car painted any color that he wants, so long as it is black." Having color options, he said, slowed the efficiency of his Model T production line.

Consider this a 21st century version of that take: Buyers of Tesla Inc.'s Model Y in Europe can have any color car they want, as long as it's black or white — unless they're willing to wait until March 2023 at the earliest.

Our German-language sister paper Automobilwoche reports that Tesla's new plant in Gruenheide, Germany, is producing the car only in "solid black" or "pearl white multicoat." If buyers are willing to pick one of those colors, they can expect their car by October. If they want blue, red or silver, they'll have to wait for a car made at Tesla's plant in Shanghai.

Tesla isn't alone in Europe in limiting color choices, Automobilwoche writes. Renault is offering "fast track" delivery for its Arkana crossover to customers who choose black, pearl-white or gray.

At issue is the continuing computer chip shortage. Limiting the variety of options, automakers claim, adds efficiency to the production line, allowing auto plants to boost their output.

Here's a quick look behind the headlines on an ongoing story Plastics News is covering.

In March, we ran across the information that Home Products International Inc. would shut down its operations in Indiana that made ironing boards and instead focus on its injection molded plastic products, including houseware items such as storage bins and laundry baskets.

A couple of months later, we followed up as the company said it would begin laying off employees at its plastics operations in Chicago. That was shortly followed by the announcement that HPI had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, with plans to liquidate.

Then on July 8 came news that HPI had a buyer for the plastics operations and iPoly2 Inc. planned to take over the assets and brands and would resume production.

But even then, things weren't finalized. After getting a tip the sale may be off, then checking in to see that the bankruptcy court had scheduled hearings on the case, we waited for confirmation of where this story would go next.

As Jim Johnson writes, the court has now approved the sale and iPoly2 is paying $4.7 million in a deal that includes 348 molds and 78 injection molding machines, mostly made by Milacron, with clamping forces ranging from 440 to 2,200 tons.

Will there be more to this story? Perhaps. The sale includes plans for only one of the two Chicago HPI plants, and iPoly2 will need to staff the business, which had been unionized. PN will keep you up to date on whatever changes next.

Ultimaker is teaming up with America Makes to place more than 20 of its 3D printing machines at middle schools and high schools throughout the U.S. to spark interest in technology among young women and "diverse groups and communities."

“We’re passionate about making professional 3D printers, software, materials and services that are versatile and easy to use for everyone," James Butler, vice president of Ultimaker, Americas, said in a news release.

Schools and organizations interested in getting a printer can go to the America Makes website for more information.