Rotational Molding

Long known as a "fragmented" segment of the industrial supplier market, the plastics industry's—in particular processors and mold manufacturers—recent M&A activity is signaling that the industry is ripe for consolidation.

Companies spend a lot of money in hard assets such as buildings, machinery and equipment and software. But when it comes to financing non-capital assets such as marketing, sales, and people, they aren’t as willing to make those other investments needed to optimize the so-called soft assets.

An innovative polyamide (PA) 6 technology developed by DSM Engineering Plastics forms the basis of a new solution for rotomolding monolayer tanks developed by ICO Polymers (Houston, TX), a leading producer of rotational molding grades.

Manufacturing is in the political spotlight these days and plastics in particular has the light of criticism shined on it. That’s why more and more plastics industry executives and company owners are getting involved in efforts to revive American manufacturing. Craig Carson, CEO of Jeco Plastics Products LLC in Plainfield, IN, spoke on June 29 at a briefing discussing research and development activities and competitiveness in U.S. industry.
    

Rotational molding involves placing powdered resin in a mold, clamping it shut, and then heating the tool while rotating it. The resin melts, coats the mold and forms parts. Now, a California company says it can help processors save on their energy costs by heating rotomolds using solar power.

Most of the equipment it makes is tangential to the primary and auxiliary machinery in plastics processors' facilities, but Larry Stoma, design engineer for the Witte Co., a manufacturer of screeners, classifiers, fluid bed dryers, coolers, conveyors, and de-waterers, has shared some solid tips applicable to purchasing any type of used machinery. The Internet makes it easier to find such equipment, but asking the right questions is still key to making sure you understand exactly what you are getting.

Custom rotational molder Remcon Plastics Inc. (Reading, PA) announced new equipment additions to expand its capacity. Remcon recently installed a new Ferry 280 rotational molding machine that increased the company's capacity by 20%. Additionally, 23 employees have been hired, working three shifts to handle manufacturing of new products driven by sales growth.

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Rotomolding processor Remcon began its Lean Manufacturing journey in the 1990s, but really kicked it into high gear about five years ago. Now, with Lean part of the company's culture, the benefits are really starting to hit Remcon's bottom line.

George E. Freeborn, the founder and CEO of Textek Plastics Inc. (San Antonio, TX) who died on March 15 at the age of 84, was an innovator in rotational and injection molding and active in both the Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) and the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE).

A veteran of the U.S. Navy Air Corps (1944-1946), following college Freeborn worked at rotational molders and thermoformers, innovating the first rotomolded plastic street light globe, among other things.