Weatherchem adds Engel e-motion injection molding machine

Weatherchem, which was recently acquired by Mold Rite Plastics, has purchased an Engel 550 U.S. injection molding machine.

Highlighting its sustainability goals, Weatherchem said in a news release that this machine provides it with a combination of high efficiency and lower energy consumption.

Since their partnership began in 2007, Engel North America has supplied a total of nine all-electric Engel e-motion injection molding machines, with sizes ranging from 310 to 550 tons, in Weatherchem's 45,000 sq-ft plant located in Twinsburg, OH.

About five years ago, Weatherchem decided to make a change from hydraulic presses to all-electric injection molding machines.

"We wanted a partner, not just a vendor," said Bob Rodgers, technical engineering manager for Weatherchem, in the news release. "To us, Engel is a firm that provides a fully integrated technology solution. We can approach them with a new concept and they will help us to determine the right way to proceed, be it machine technology and options, automation or downstream requirements. They definitely provide us with a full system solution."

Conducting internal testing with one of their applications, first on a hydraulic press and then on the Engel e-motion, Weatherchem saw an energy savings of more than 70%.

Weatherchem says it has experienced a 464% growth in the dietary supplement market compared to a market growth of 7%; and 55% increase in the spice and seasoning market which itself only grew by 3.2%, they have also been able to realize growth in both revenue and EBITDA.

Founded in 1971, Weatherchem established itself in the packaging industry with its line of plastic dispensing closures for containers and bottles. Along with Stull Technologies, Weatherchem was recently purchased by Mold-Rite Plastics, which is owned by private equity firm Irving Place Capital. The company at large has expanded its product offerings, adding multiple manufacturing locations and in-house tooling capabilities.