Continuing to meet the growth of the European market, Ohio-based Milacron announced major expansion plans for the Uniloy, DME and Tirad product brands. As the company has seen upward growth as well as a change in demographics over the last 3 years, the company will be investing in multiple, state-of-the-art, highly efficient manufacturing and distribution facilities in Šašovice and Policka, Czech Republic. These facilities will act as the key locations for these product brands offering high speed deliveries and support to customers all across Europe.

According to John J. Gallagher, Chief Operating Officer Melt Delivery & Control Systems/Fluid Technologies, Financial & Shared Services, the facilities in Czech allow us to offer more support, more flexibility and more product inventory, all at faster delivery times.

The expansions in Šašovice, Czech Republic, all opening in April of this year, include both a 1,000 sq m expansion to the current Tirad facility, plus a brand new 3,000 sq m distribution centre. The investment totals more than EUR5 million.

The capacity increase provides major fire power to both DME and Tirad, optimising service levels and furthering the focus onTirad’s high precision, non-standard mould bases.

In addition to the above, new construction is also taking place in Policka, Czech Republic, creating another home for the Uniloy blow moulding machine systems. Ron Krisanda, CEO & President, Advanced Plastic Processing Technologies stated that the new facility in Policka, not only provides flexibility and room to manufacture the firm’s complete range of blow moulding machinery technologies, it also represents a major step forward in our plans to become a global supplier of blow moulding machinery systems. “As it is, we tend to be regionally oriented in our approach to the market and are not taking full advantage of the technologies, foot print and best practices of Milacron, " he added.

Krisanda describes the new Policka plant as a world class facility in the blow moulding industry. The sparkling new facility will open this month and will feature over 11,000 sq m allowing for future expansion. The new Lean Manufacturing facility represents an investment of over EUR11 million.

The focus on coordinating European expansions and manufacturing changes supports the overall Milacron growth strategy in Europe, solidifying and ensuring service levels across the region. These expansions are powerful statements about Milacron’s ongoing commitment to being a leader in blow moulding machinery and mould technologies.

Milacron will be displaying its product brands at the upcoming NPE show in Orlando, Florida on March 23-27.