Team 1 Plastics sets a high bar within the plastic injection molding industry: producing parts with consistency, quality, and precision.  Their goals of growth and innovation have been a driving force for continued success since their inception in 1987.  This growth mindset has become particularly evident since 2015 when the company began a 3500 sq. ft. plant expansion.

Since the expansion, Team 1 has added as many as nine new molding machines to the production floor.  Some of these molding machines were to replace older ones that were outdated and impacted the quality of parts produced, while others were needed to produce larger tonnage parts.  Team 1’s newest molding machine, a 450-ton Sodick Horizontal Injection Molding Machine (IMM), was added after being awarded a larger part.

NEW PART, NEW PROBLEMS

In 2020, Team 1 Plastics had growth on their minds: bidding on new parts with larger tonnage requirements than ever before.  Despite the profitability this new part could bring, there was a rather large problem at hand.  There were only two molding machines on the production floor that came anywhere near the tonnage needed, and those were only 300 ton; 150 ton less than what this new part required.

Additionally, there was no backup capacity if the 300-ton molding machines were to go down unexpectedly and if demand increased, Team 1 would struggle to meet orders.  The only solution to solve both problems at hand would be a larger tonnage molding machine.

A SOLUTION TO THEIR PROBLEMS

MOVING FORWARD

The addition of the newest 450-ton Sodick is just the beginning of Team 1 Plastics’ growth.  Another new part was just awarded, for which there will be a purchase of yet another 450-ton molding machine later in 2022.  So, with the dwindling space on the production floor, the question becomes, “Where will we put more molding machines!?”  We still have a little room for 1-2 more but have begun to develop plans for another expansion of the building, when future business warrants it.