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Cascadia Custom Molding Acquired by Blue Point Capital Partners

The acquisition will broaden the manufacturing capabilities and expand the geographic footprint of Blue Point IV portfolio company, VRC Engineered Solutions.

Clare Goldsberry

March 31, 2021

2 Min Read
Cascadia Custom Molding logo
Image: Cascadia Custom Molding

Blue Point Capital Partners and its Blue Point IV portfolio company, VRC Engineered Solutions, announced the acquisition of Cascadia Custom Molding. The acquisition will expand VRC’s product offerings and geographic footprint while enhancing manufacturing capabilities and diversifying end markets served.

For over 40 years, Cascadia has provided thermoplastic components to highly regulated and attractive markets such as medical, aerospace, and consumer goods. Cascadia operates out of manufacturing facilities in Coeur d’ Alene, ID, and Woodinville, WA. The acquisition will expand VRC’s manufacturing footprint into the Pacific Northwest, offering increased capability and flexibility for both VRC and its customers.

Blue Point and the VRC management team said that they value Cascadia’s diverse customer base and focus on complex, low-volume parts. They also point to its in-house capabilities that further expand VRC’s tooling, materials, production, and service capabilities.

Cascadia is VRC’s first add-on acquisition since Blue Point acquired the platform in August 2019. “The Cascadia platform fits squarely within the key end markets and capabilities of our focused add-on strategy, and we are enthusiastic about the opportunities available to the combined company going forward,” said Blue Point Partner John LeMay.

According to Cascadia’s website, the company operates 45 injection molding machines ranging from 45 to 1450 tons, and includes a 2-shot 550-ton machine. The company also has a range of capabilities including gas assist molding, servo-driven and collaborative robots, RJG monitoring systems, and vision inspection systems. Cascadia’s moldmaking capabilities include a full-service shop with eight CNC mills, six EDM (wire and standard) setups, and two 3D printers.

“This acquisition strategically marks the next phase of growth for both VRC and Cascadia,” said Blue Point Partner Jonathan Pressnell. “Uniting the respective company visions and leveraging their combined capabilities, services, technologies, and expertise across all locations will offer significant benefits to our customers. The geographic and end-market expansion, along with the potential for cross-selling opportunities, makes the combined company well-positioned for growth.”

With more than 25 custom material manufacturer investments over the course of its 20-year history, Blue Point and its network of operating executives bring commercial, operating, and technical experience to support the management teams.

Dale Meyer, who along with his wife, Janeanne Upp, has owned Cascadia for 18 years, said, “We decided to partner with VRC, and Blue Point, because we could see the same philosophical approach and strategic fit between the companies, the management teams, and our vision of the future for Cascadia.”

About the Author

Clare Goldsberry

Until she retired in September 2021, Clare Goldsberry reported on the plastics industry for more than 30 years. In addition to the 10,000+ articles she has written, by her own estimation, she is the author of several books, including The Business of Injection Molding: How to succeed as a custom molder and Purchasing Injection Molds: A buyers guide. Goldsberry is a member of the Plastics Pioneers Association. She reflected on her long career in "Time to Say Good-Bye."

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