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The TPR spoke with GL
Patel, Owner and Chairman of Midwest Insert & Composite Molding,
Inc. out of Rolling Meadows, IL. MIC Molding specializes in the
manufacture of high volume, precision injection molded components,
including insert and straight injection molding, over-molding and
project management, prototyping and assembly services, among
others.
What is
your company niche, and what does your company do that is notable,
unique or different?
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Our company serves
the automotive industry as a Tier 1, 2 and 3 supplier of
injection molded, insert molded and assembled products which
are used in safety related, electronic and assembly
applications. We have several customers, of which we have a
100% rating for zero-defect quality and on-time delivery and
have maintained the same year after year. We are a TS16949
Certified Minority Supplier. A lot of companies do not have
that certification, which is a plus when you are dealing with
the automotive industry. They are looking to have a diversified
supplier base and we can offer that now. We are a lean
operation here, too, which leads to less expensive pricing for
our customers. Gas-assist, insert, hot runner, sequential valve
gating, over-molding, encapsulation and more are among the
experiences each of us has in this company. We’re also willing
to put a capital investment into a project if a customer’s job
requires it. |
Insert Molding & Assembly
Molding & Assembly |
When
and how did you get into the industry, what attracted you to it?
Having
worked in the molding industry previously, and because molding
plastics is what I know, I decided to start my own business. First
work was assembly; I later added molding machines to the operation.
Now we do approximately $5 million annually with 20 molding
machines.
Relate
a notable "best time" for your company.
We have
gone through some difficult times in the past; however, even those
times were good for us. Dedicated employees, customers and
suppliers make all times good. Anytime we add a new customer to our
company, that is an especially good time for us. We thrive on
innovation and creativity, and given the opportunity, our teamwork
allows us to make the customer happy.
Similarly, relate notable challenges that your company has
overcome.
 One great
challenge was implementing a system whereby 16 bolts were
over-molded with TPR at one time. Simultaneously 16 bolts were to
be removed and 16 bolts loaded. We decided to purchase a vertical
clamp insert molding press. The rotary table allowed for 3 bottom
mold halves to be used with one top half. 3 operations occurred
simultaneously. While one bottom was making parts, the second was
being unloaded and the third bottom was loaded with 16 more bolts,
using a unique fixture. Final process development achieved a reject
rate less than 0.01%. Our customer now receives completed product
within 2 days of us receiving inserts…far beyond their original
expectations.
The
customer received much cheaper piece part pricing, approximately
20% less than our closest competitor, who planned on using only 1
top and 2 bottoms in a shuttle press. The fixture we developed also
allowed for placement of the 16 inserts in less than 5 seconds
versus 20 seconds individually placed. Overall cycle time was
reduced allowing for a more repeatable, robust, defect-free
process.
When
you are working on projects with your customers, what aspects would
you like them to
better recognize?
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Our combined years of
experience in the industry. Between myself, Mark Masek, my
Operations Manager, and Norm Andre, our Engineering Manager, we
have more than 100 years experience in the plastic and insert
molding business.
The longer you’ve
been in the industry, the more experience you have – good and
bad – and that experience makes us more economical and faster
in terms of project turnaround. Less experienced people do not
have the same level of expertise to offer, though that would
come with time. We’re a smaller company, but we plan to grow
into a larger company that can continue to bring our experience
into play as we work with our customers. |
Mark Masek,
Operations Manager of
Midwest Insert &
Composite Molding, Inc. |
List
newly acquired technology, machinery or key personnel (in last
year).
We
recently hired a new Operations Mgr as well as a new Engineering
Mgr. Furthermore, we added a brand new Engel 85 ton vertical clamp,
rotary insert molding machine to fulfill customer requirements.
Has
your company recently expanded? Plans to expand or form
partnerships/alliances?
We have
room to expand our facility when the time comes. We have open
capacity currently, and offer very competitive pricing. In the last
few years we have added more than 6 new machines. Our philosophy is
that all supplier-customer relationships are partnerships, no
matter which side you are on.
Are you
involved in any industry organizations or educational programs
related to the trade?
We are
involved with SPE, SPI, ASQC, ISO/TS, Underwriters Laboratories,
Chicago Minority Business Council and the Michigan Minority
Business Council.
We are
currently or have been active members with SPE, SPI and ASQC and
regularly attend meetings and seminars held by those trade groups.
We have implemented, maintained and received ISO 9000-2002 and
TS16949 Quality System Certifications through Underwriters
Laboratories. Being a Minority owned business allows us to receive
certification through both the Chicago and Michigan Minority
Business Councils. As a supplier to the Automotive Industry, all
the above coupled with competitive pricing and reliable delivery
make us an advantageous business partner.
What do
you think about changes occurring in the industry due to
globalization? How has it affected the way you do business?
We feel
that globalization has hurt American industry. It has forced many
companies to operate with less than adequate personnel to compete.
If the playing field were level, there would be more business
staying stateside. Uneven trade tariffs, pegged currency rates,
cheap labor and raw material costs affect America’s ability to
compete against communist government-subsidized businesses
overseas. We have to do business in an aggressive, creative manner
to reduce costs and increase value-added operations. Thorough
tooling and process development and FMEA help to improve
productivity, reduce problems and assure repeatability.
What
will the industry look like in 3 to 5 years?
As
China’s economy grows and inflation takes hold, we feel more
business will return to America.
Additional Background Information:
Number
of years in business: 21 years
Current number of employees: 45
Current square footage: 35,000
Additional locations: Sales office near Detroit, Michigan
Website:
www.micmolding.com
Types
of tools built and/or run: aluminum prototype, hardened
production molds, hot runner, 2 plate, 3 plate, stack, vertical,
horizontal, insert, core pull, valve gated, etc.
Industries served: automotive, electronic, computer
Contact
Information:
Mic
Molding
3940 Industrial Ave
Rolling Meadows IL 60008
Phone: (847) 818-8444
Fax: (847) 818-8368 |
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