Vision Plastics: seven new presses, 30 drying systems, and more to come

Custom injection molder and contract manufacturer Vision Plastics Inc. (Wilsonville, OR) took delivery of seven Toshiba all-electric molding presses in September. This was the second delivery of Toshiba presses following a purchase contract the company inked at NPE 2009, according to Vision Plastics' President, John Normandin.

"We made a three-year commitment to Toshiba and this was the second delivery, following the first in 2009," said Normandin in a recent interview. "Another shipment is due in 2011—a minimum of seven more. We agreed to purchase a minimum of 20 machines over three years." The new Toshiba all-electrics consist of three sizes: 390-, 180-, and 110-ton clamping forces.

Normandin said the machines are replacements for Vision's older hydraulic equipment, part of a program to update the company's technology and capabilities. Using the electric presses, the company doesn't need as wide a range of machines because, unlike hydraulic presses, the tonnage on the Toshiba electrics can be "dialed down" by about 55%. For example, Normandin explained that rather than having 150-ton presses, they can dial back a 180-ton press to accommodate jobs needing a 150. The new Toshiba presses will be equipped with various sized barrels to accommodate different shot sizes.

Vision currently has 39 presses ranging from 3 to 950 tons, and six specialty presses including an 18-ton micromolding press, and 30-ton and 50-ton rotary presses. The company employs 165. Normandin said Vision's success over the past 22 years since its founding is due to several factors. "We've had a nice growth curve over the years. I think it's our mix of customers—we have a great mix—and we're not over-loaded in any one market sector," he said. "Our location is good for the customers we serve. And we deliver our products with no defects—our dpm (defects per million) rate is less than 150 and we deliver on time. It's really service that makes your business grow, especially in the economy we've experienced over the past two years."

Vision Plastics serves a variety of markets including healthcare, recreation, electronics, and recently some consumer products, which is a new market to the company. "Our diversity of markets and customers within those markets also helped us be successful," Normandin added. "Most of our customers have recovered from the recession and the business is coming back from the downturn of 2009. We expect 2011 outshine 2010 and 2010 hasn't been too shabby for us."

In addition to molding, Vision provides a range of contract manufacturing services, such as moldmaking, metal stamping, machining, assembly, and a variety of secondary operations. The company is ISO 9001:2008 certified and UL approved, and it operates in a 60,000-ft² facility.

Besides the new presses, Normandin said the company has also purchased 30 Maguire vacuum dryers and is retiring its desiccant dryers. "We decided that at NPE 2009 as well," said Normandin. "We're taking the initiative to upgrade our technology and capabilities and be in the driver's seat when things percolate up. Equipment is one thing that's critical to our success in many ways. When you have latest equipment you attract the interest of the best-qualified employees as well." —Clare Goldsberry