Plastics manufacturer receives small business of the year award, caps off strong year

   
The company was founded in 1996 as a rapid prototyping company. In 2001, VistaTek added mold manufacturing, and in 2007 brought molding in-house, according to Allen Mishek, marketing director. The status quo was not an option for VistaTek, and along with investing time and resources into the local community, VistaTek invested in the company to promote new business growth.

“We’ve added two injection molding presses, and an EDM and a CNC mill this year, and we’re looking at another CNC mill and another molding press,” Allen Mishek said. VistaTek currently has five molding presses ranging from 40-2220 tons. The company continues to provide additive-manufacturing services as well, and offers Polyjet and FDM capabilities.

The company’s rapid tooling division saw double-digit growth, and its injection molding business tripled, in 2010, according to the Misheks. In September, Dan Mishek was selected to represent the company and lobby with the American Mold Builders Assn. in Washington, DC.
  
VistaTek allocated time and resources to work with the VHEDC and promote local groups like the Minnesota Warriors, a wounded veteran’s hockey team. VistaTek also played an important role in promoting networking events and new venues in Vadnais Heights.  Two examples of this were the grand opening of the Vadnais Heights Commons and Sports Center in October and November. Dan Mishek added, “Your own backyard is the best place to start making a difference.”
   
Being in Minnesota, the medical industry is a primary market for VistaTek, along with consumer goods and electronics, with companies such as Medtronic, 3M and Toro nearby. Currently, VistaTek has 30 full-time employees. —Clare Goldsberry