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Phoenix moldmaking and molding company owner, Arle Rawlings, passes away

Well-known and respected moldmaking and molding company founder and owner, Arle Robert Rawlings, 73, passed away at the Phoenix Mayo Clinic on March 2, 2014, after a brief illness. Arle Rawlings, a journeyman moldmaker by trade, founded Mastercraft Mold in 1968, specializing in complex injection molds for a variety of markets and Fortune 500 companies.

Clare Goldsberry

March 13, 2014

1 Min Read
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In the 1980s, Arle purchased injection molding presses and entered the molding business, Polycraft Industries. Both companies then began operating under the Mastercraft Companies umbrella, and operated out of a large, two-building complex in Phoenix. Arle's vision of Mastercraft Companies helped him grow the business to become a contract manufacturer for the medical device market, which ultimately became 70% of Mastercraft's business, and the electronic device and consumer markets.

Arle's continued investments in the company grew the business to more than 25 injection molding presses, and an extensive mold manufacturing division that also partnered with offshore mold manufacturers with the idea of always meeting the customers' requirements for excellence. Mastercraft ultimately employed more than 100 people.

In August of 2011, Mastercraft Companies was acquired by Flambeau Inc., a Baraboo, WI-based member of the Nordic Group of Companies.

Arle Rawlings was a true entrepreneur whose business success was reflected in his personal success, as a well-respected member of the plastics industry. He leaves behind his son, Blair (Lisa) from Minnesota; his daughters Emily and Monica of Phoenix; a sister, Rita, and brothers Arvid and Gail, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A memorial celebration gathering of family, friends and many business associates will be held at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak, Saturday March 29, from 4-7 pm.

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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