Injection molding industry

[Kirk911SC]

Anyone out there have knowledge of the injection molding industry?

Long term outlook? Stability? Viable profitable business? Customers being devoured by China?

Thanks.

[hardflex]

try www.plasticsnews.com

not involved in it per se, but I get their newsletter because of the nature of my business

[RickM]

A friend of mine recently sold his local biz. He used to wipe up. A divorce and China quickly changed that.

Keep in mind that time is of the essence to many customers so domestic prototyping and production may be desirable. He also offers the option of cheaper molds by offshoring that aspect of the project.
As a condition of the sale he has stayed on and get's some interesting business. If yo'd like I can take some pics of a job and post.

Another guy I know is in the plastic resin pellet business. Seems raw materials are in such demand that it's tough to secure. About a year ago he told me he ordered 3 rail cars worth of resin and felt lucky that he received one.

[Kirk911SC]

Rick,

I'd love to see some pics.

[5axis]

Originally posted by Kirk911SC
Anyone out there have knowledge of the injection molding industry?

Long term outlook? Stability? Viable profitable business? Customers being devoured by China?

Thanks.

moldmaking

and it currently sucks

[Kirk911SC]

Do you think it will improve, or are the smaller companies getting squeezed out of existence?

[M.D. Holloway]

Kirk - we do a bunch of biz with them. It depends on their manufacturing ability and the markets they want to be in. You may want to also check out www.manufacturing.net for more info.

Like anything else, if your looking to invest there are good ones and bad ones. If your looking to start one up well thats another story.

[RickM]

Originally posted by Kirk911SC
Rick,

I'd love to see some pics.

No prob. I believe he has a job running now. I'll see if I can stop by early next week. I'll pick his brain a bit more as well.

[Kirk911SC]

Might be interested in buying an existing one................

[M.D. Holloway]

Aside from the normal business enquiry you will do, find out some of these particulars:
1) What are the smallest and largest size parts they can produce
2) What thermoplastics do the exsiting staff have experience processing
3) Are there any experienced moldmakers on site?
4) What is the experience level of the staff?
5) What are the quality programs they are doing?
6) Do they have any prototyping ability?
7) Get a good look at their SPC charts and maint. history on the machines.
8) Find out what they have bought over the last two years in the way of replacement parts for the equipment.
9) Spend time with their sales guys. Learn how they feel and how they do business.
10) Visit some of their new and exsiting customers - both big and small. Find out what they like and don't like and take their customers temperature as well. A compnay is only as profitable as their customers are.

Just some ideas.

[Kirk911SC]

Mike,

For "Just some ideas", those are EXACTLY the kinds of questions I need to know.

Anything you could contribute would be immensely helpful.

Thank you!

[M.D. Holloway]

PM me and lets talk. I might even be able to take a trip out and scan the joint. I do spend some time in Canada.