Polyshot expands manufacturing footprint

Hot runner system manufacturer Polyshot Corp. (West Henrietta, NY) has invested approximately $1.75 million in an expansion of its manufacturing site, nearly doubling space from 16,200 ft² to 28,700 ft². Doug Hepler, Polyshot president, told PlasticsToday the expansion will include additional staff and equipment. At this time, the company operates seven CNC (computer numerical control) machining centers from Okuma, Haas, Mitsubishi, and Kitimura, with some of those outfitted with automatic pallet changing and auto probing for unattended lights-out machining. The new facility will house four CNC turning centers from Haas and Okuma.

“The new addition was necessary for Polyshot to continue its steady growth,” Hepler said, adding it has adequate room for an additional 12-14 CNC machining centers and lathes over time. Hepler told PlasticsToday that Polyshot has been experiencing annual sales growth of 15%, with much of that growth coming from international sales. At this time, Polyshot’s top three markets, in order, are medical, irrigation, and consumer. Two years ago, Hepler notes, Polyshot stopped soliciting hot runner orders for the automotive industry.

The new building also applied for and received a NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) grant. To qualify for the funds, the company hired an approved NYSERDA technical consultant and designed the expansion to meet energy-saving specifications. —Tony Deligio