The Economy

Molders Complete Joint Expansion in Erie, Pa.

Oct. 27, 2010

Addition of three new presses improves efficiency and provides increased production capacity.

Plastikos Inc., an Erie, Pa.-based custom injection molder, and Micro Mold, its mold-making sister company, recently completed a cooperative facilities expansion in Erie.

The expansion will improve efficiencies and increase production capacities for both companies, according to the companies.

As part of the expansion, Plastikos has purchased and installed three new Arburg presses. With its new presses, Plastikos will have a total of 30 injection-molding machines, ranging from 25 to 110 tons of clamping force. The company primarily makes custom molded parts for the aerospace, automotive, defense, electronic, medical and telecommunications industries.

In addition to the new presses, the expansion includes a partial renovation and reorganization of the Micro Mold facilities.

"A major component of our business strategy is continuous improvement," said Philip Katen, president of Plastikos and Micro Mold. "Updating equipment has always been a part of that. But we also believe that expanding and streamlining our facilities will help us better serve our customers and facilitate growth."

The renovation at Micro Mold will create room for the installation of two presses moved from Plastikos, with additional room for a third. Previously, the Micro Mold facility did not contain any presses, requiring all tools to be sampled at Plastikos.

As a second component of the renovation, the Micro Mold facility will now house the vast majority of all R&D work for Plastikos and Micro Mold, including tool sampling, engineering sampling and materials sampling.

The expanded Plastikos facility will provide additional production capacity as Plastikos continues to grow its business levels. As orders increase, production will be able to overflow to Micro Mold for further capacity, according to the companies.

About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors.

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.