FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INMAN, S.C. – Mack Molding’s Inman, S.C., facility has invested $5 million to construct and equip an 18,000-sq-ft addition to its Inman, S.C., special purpose molding facility, it was announced today by Ray Burns, president of the company’s southern division.
The expansion nearly doubles the size of its dedicated large-part facility, boosting it to 38,000 sq. ft., enough space to house four additional mega presses (2500-4400 tons) with robots. Over the next three years, the expansion will add 30-45 jobs.
This project augments Mack’s stand-alone 20,000-sq-ft special purpose molding facility, giving it the capacity to hold eight injection molding presses with clamping forces of 2,500 tons or higher. The facility opened in 2001 with a 3,000-ton Engel press. A 2,500-ton Engel was added in 2002; a 3,300-ton Demag in 2004; and a 3,350-ton Toshiba in 2007.
Mack will install two Cincinnati Milacron Maxima MG 2-Platen Series presses this month – 4,000 and 2,600-ton machines – with KUKA 7-axis robots on each. That will still leave space and infrastructure for two additional mega presses.
“There are very few, if any, plastic molders in the country with this many large presses under one roof,” says Burns. “We feel this expansion further distinguishes us as the leader in the domestic large part molding market.”
Upon completion, the entire Inman operation, including its original 230,000 sq-ft-facility, will operate 18 presses, all between 1,000-4,000 tons. The Statesville, N.C., plant, a 125,000-sq-ft facility, houses 22 presses from 150-1,100 tons.
Breaking ground in September, Mack expects both the new building and the two mega presses to be fully operational by the end of February. Due to the size of the new presses, approximately 20 trucks began making staggered deliveries at the plant in early January. Three super-loads weighed over 120,000 lbs. each and required police escorts through some states.
In addition to the presses and robots, Mack has added automated material handling conveyor systems from Automated Directions Inc. of Charlotte, N.C., and Wittmann central drying and loading systems.
“Since changing our market focus to include super-large part molding, Mack’s southern division has experienced significant growth,” adds Burns. “Currently, we’re projecting annual sales growth of 20-30 percent.”
Recreational/utility vehicles, heavy truck applications and commercial home products comprise the major market opportunities.
About Mack Molding
Mack Molding is a leading custom plastics molder and supplier of contract manufacturing services. Mack specializes in plastics design, prototyping, molding, sheet metal fabrication, and medical device manufacturing. The company operates seven facilities throughout the eastern United States. Founded in 1920, Mack is a privately owned business with over 1800 employees in North America.
For more news and information about applications and services of Mack Molding Co., go to www.mack.com.
Leave a Reply