Monroe Mold adding 7,650 sq. ft. to its Monroe, Michigan, plant, which specializes in PE containers; space for new equipment, engineering area will improve plant's mold repair capability

Bdebbie Garcia

LOS ANGELES , October 24, 2011 (Industry Intelligence) – Mold toolmaker Monroe Mold LLC is expanding its plant in Monroe, Michigan, by 7,650 square feet to allow space for new equipment, an engineering area and a conference room, Plastics News reported on Oct. 21.

Details on the equipment were not released, but the addition to its existing 15,825-sq-ft facility will allow the plant to improve its repair capability for damaged or worn molds, an area of strong growth for the company, said Jim Ghesquire, company president.

This has been the sixth expansion for the plant, which first opened in 1977 and focuses on polyethylene containers. However, the plant’s “program of continuous growth” has reached the “limits,” Ghesquire said in an Oct. 19 telephone interview, reported Plastics News.

The plant has steadily increased its workforce, which now numbers 30. In 2010, its mold and toolmaking sales were US$6 million to $7 million.

Monroe is owned by Saline, Michigan-based R&B Holding LLC, which is affiliated with equipment maker R&B Plastics Machinery LLC. New production can be fully tested and evaluated by the two companies.

Combining the mold making of Monroe with R&B’s blow molding machines created production efficiencies, said Al Hodges, president of R&B Holdings, Plastics News reported.

The primary source of this article is Plastics News, Akron, Ohio, on Oct. 21, 2011.

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