Medical molder ATEK Plastics adds two 500-ton Toshibas

eDart process-monitoring technology. Jennifer Latiolais, ATEK sales coordinator, told PlasticsToday that with the addition of the brand-new Toshiba's, ATEK now has 30 injection molding machines ranging from 45 to 1000 tons in clamp force. The ISO 13485 medical certified injection molder made the investment after being awarded multiple new projects for surgical and stem cell reclaim applications, along with new business from its existing medical customer base.

At this time, the company has 58 employees and runs three shifts, with five- to seven-day workweeks, depending on business. In addition to portable cleanrooms, ATEK has a permanent Class 10,000 cleanroom space, with the entire manufacturing floor climate controlled and requiring workers to gown up.

Previously known as Acrometal and AcroTech Plastics, ATEK Plastics has changed its name and end-market orientation, garnering big results in the process. It recorded just over $4 million in sales of medical product components in fiscal 2006, compared to just $200,000 in 2005 when the specialization was new to the company. For 2010, sales are expected to come in at $14.2 million, up nearly 15% from 2009's $12.4 million in sales. At the mid-point of the year, medical dominated sales, accounting for 89% of the company's business, with the remainder split among clients in the food/beverage, consumer, and electronics markets. ATEK Plastics is part of Minneapolis-based ATEK Companies. Comprised of five business units, ATEK Companies employs more than 1000 and has revenue in excess of $150 million.