A brand new, 1,900-ton injection molding machine is now commissioned at Flambeau’s Columbus, Indiana, manufacturing facility, increasing the range of the plant’s existing bank of injection molding machines. The plant’s new Engel Duo press increases the previous injection molding range limit by 400 tons, bringing larger part capability and a new focus to the Columbus plant with the launch of new Flambeau products to market.
With new capacity also comes an increase in wages across the board, benefiting Flambeau’s 76 hourly associates in Columbus. The plant has raised its starting wage by 6.7%, its top-of-scale wage by 10.8%, and its technical position pay by more than 20%. As a Plastics News Top 100 company in North America in three molding categories, Flambeau’s 177,000-square-foot facility in Columbus has distribution destinations throughout North America.
Both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified, the plant’s injection molding capacity now ranges from 85- to 1,900-ton. Flambeau’s engineers performed thorough and exhaustive research that led Flambeau to invest in this specific Engel press. Dozens of machines were studied and, while the aspect of the 1,900-ton clamp force was a primary driver, there were many other specifications that made it the right choice. Furthermore, the Engel Duo, now in full production mode, has been enhanced with magnetic platens to lower downtime costs during mold changes. Customers will benefit from other significant long-run savings due to the machine’s energy efficient processing, precision engineering, high-performance technologies, and efficiencies relating to set-up and performance.
The first product being manufactured in the machine is a unique, large-sized bow case – an example of the proprietary Flambeau products the press is being used to produce. The Formula™ Bow Case is the newest product in the Flambeau Outdoors™ retail division, which the hunting market has eagerly anticipated since a promo trailer drop last year. The promo can be viewed on the Flambeau Outdoors YouTube page. At 17 pounds and 47 inches in length, the case is sturdy and durable with modern stylings and innovative accessories – just the type and size of product the 1,900-ton press, coupled with automated assembly, is meant for.
Additional molds planned to run in the new machine are in development. Existing products are also scheduled to transfer to the new press to free up capacity on the Columbus facility’s 1500-ton fleet. Flambeau’s various divisions, therefore, have the potential for more high-tonnage injection mold volume with the across-the-board increases in capacity. This improvement will keep Flambeau’s diverse customer base at the forefront of their related markets, including agriculture, automotive, construction, power equipment, and others.
With capabilities in high-pressure injection molding processes, the Columbus facility serves many retail, commercial, and industrial markets, including contract manufacturing for key sectors of the automotive, medical, fluids, and packaging industries. Always investing in its future and its customer’s needs, Flambeau continually strives to maintain its role as one of North America’s top thermoplastic manufacturers.
For more information, please visit flambeau.com or call 800-352-6266.
About Flambeau, Inc.
Flambeau, Inc., a Nordic Group company established in 1947, is a thermoplastics manufacturer headquartered in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Flambeau offers a large array of proprietary stock plastic packaging and storage products, with many customization options. With certified facilities and sales offices throughout the United States, Mexico, United Kingdom, and in China, Flambeau serves many retail, commercial, and industrial markets, including contract manufacturing for key sectors of the automotive, medical, fluids, and packaging industries.
For further information on Flambeau’s capabilities, please visit www.flambeaucases.com.
