California molder to open new plant in S. Carolina

Jatco CEO Paul Appelblom told PlasticsToday that the existing 38,000-ft² building in Greenwood, SC will start up with four injection machines ranging from 110 to 720 tons of clamp force, and a staff of 15-20 people. He said Jatco intends to hire locally, adding that the word must be out on that as he has already received many resumes.

In addition to generally looking for new business, Appelblom said one principal reason for this location is proximity to a good customer for which Jatco has been shipping at least one 53-ft container a week. This will trim that client's shipping costs, and there are other existing customers in Florida and the Carolinas.

Jatco, says Appelblom, is a classic custom molder, in that is it serves a variety of markets. Despite the presence of automotive business in the Southeast U.S., he says Jatco is not moving there for that reason. Several molders near Jatco's HQ in California were put out of business by the recent downturn in the auto business and that left an impression on Appelblom. The company, he notes, will be looking for additional business in the Southeast as it grows there.

The Greenwood operation will eventually offer the full gamut of extra-molding services, such as Jatco-made tooling, and a variety of decorating, joining and assembly technologies, as well as assembly of sub-assemblies and full products. Jatco, says Appelblom, is taking it one step at a time. —[email protected]