Jul 14 2005
In response to the expanding economic front in Europe, Precise Technology will open a new injection molding facility in Lodz, Poland during the first quarter of 2006. The move is also in support of a major Precise customer, according to President and COO Mike Farrell. "Poland is fast becoming one of the countries of choice for contract injection molding," Farrell says.
Precise will occupy the 3,500-square-meter facility, which will house 14 molding machines with high-speed robotics and assembly. The new Precise Poland facility will also cater to an expanding customer base and increase the company's exposure in the personal care and consumer packaging business, says Milt Francis, General Manager of European Operations.
Headquartered in North Versailles, PA, Precise Technology is a leading, full-service injection molder of precision plastic components and assemblies. The company operates 14 injection-molding facilities in the U.S., and two state-of-the art mold manufacturing facilities as well as a plant in the Netherlands. Farrell says the company has future plans to expand the medical side of its business in Western Europe, possibly in Ireland. Precise also plans to eventually open a facility in China.
The company began preparations for opening a plant in Poland in September 2004, according to Steve Stevens, Vice President of Manufacturing. The location, in Diamond Business Park, is chosen to be at the center of an expanding infrastructure in an area where many other companies are locating. The company has already identified some of the key personnel to be employed at the facility, according to Francis. Precise is continuing to recruit professionals for the operation including a plant manager, sales, quality engineers, automation managers and finance professionals. The company intends to hire as many Polish nationals as possible to fill the 130 available positions, according to Stevens.
Precise Technology's existing European facility, in the town of Zevenhuizen, in the Netherlands, will help pave the way for a smooth expansion. The plant houses 42 injection molding machines, eight blow-molding machines, in-mold labeling systems, and high-speed robotic parts removal equipment. Services including R&D, automation engineering, automation building, project management and technical support. "Our base of business in the Netherlands, including our manufacturing and engineering resources, will be a tremendous asset in the transition to both Poland and Western Europe," according to Francis
The company is also seeking to fill additional business development and sales positions to support future expansions in Europe. "We intend to expand our sales force in Europe, as well as our engineering and manufacturing resources in support of the expansion," Farrell says.