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Mack Molding�s Inman, S.C., facility has invested $5 million to construct and equip an 18,000-sq-ft addition to its Inman, S.C., special purpose molding facility, it was announced by Ray Burns, president of the company�s southern division.The expansion nearly doubles the size of its dedicated large-part facility, boosting it to 38,000 sq.ft., and provides enough space to house four additional plastics injection molding presses. Over the next three years, the expansion will also add 30-45 jobs. This project augments Mack�s stand-alone 20,000-sq-ft special purpose molding facility, giving it the capacity to hold eight injection molding presses with clamping forces of 2,500 tons or higher. The facility opened in 2001 with a 3,000-ton press. A 2,500-ton was added in 2000; a 3,300-ton in 2004; and a 3,350-ton in 2007. Mack will install two new presses this month � 2,600 and 4,000-ton machines � with robots that will remove parts from the machines and transfer them to a conveyor system. That will still leave space and infrastructure for two additional mega-sized presses. �These machines have the capacity to mold a part as large as fifty pounds, and will open up new business opportunities for us to pursue,� says Burns. �This expansion is the next step in our strategy designed to offset the migration of business offshore.� Large-part molding at the Inman plant has grown significantly over the past four years, including sun canopies for all-terrain vehicles, body panels for heavy truck cabs, plastic covers and bases for residential air-conditioning systems, and golf car body panels, to give a few examples. �Currently, we�re projecting annual sales growth of 20-30 percent,� adds Burns. �There are very few, if any, plastic molders in the country with this many large presses under one roof,� says Burns. �We feel this expansion further distinguishes usas the leader in the domestic large part molding market.� �Mack Molding�s expansion in South Carolina is another indication of the strength of our manufacturing sector and the continued growth of the plastics industry,� says Joe Taylor, South Carolina Secretary of Commerce. �Additionally, the company�s broad market reach and decision to expand in South Carolina speaks to the state�s favorable business climate, market access and quality infrastructure. Thanks to the team efforts of state and local officials, Spartanburg County will benefit from this investment.� Upon completion, the entire Inman operation, including its original 230,000 sq-ft-facility, will operate 18 presses, all between 1,000-4,000 tons. The Statesville, N.C., plant, a 125,000-sq-ft facility, houses 22 presses from 150-1,100 tons. Breaking ground in September, Mack expects both the new building and the two large presses to be fully operational by the end of February. Due to the size of the new presses, approximately 20 trucks began making staggered deliveries at the plant in early January. Three super-loads weighed over 120,000 lbs. each and required police escorts through some states. In addition to the presses and robots, Mack has added automated material handling conveyor systems from Automated Directions Inc. of Charlotte, N.C., and Wittmann central drying and loading systems. About Mack Molding Mack Molding is a leading custom plastics molder and supplier of contract manufacturing services. Mack specializes in plastics design, prototyping, molding, sheet metal fabrication, and medical device manufacturing. The company operates seven facilities throughout the eastern United States. Founded in 1920, Mack is a privately owned business with over 1800 employees in North America. For more news and information about applications and services of Mack Molding Co., go to www.mack.com. (Image provided by Mack Molding.)
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