The TPR interviewed Larry Hauck, General Manager of Tooling at PM Mold Company, Inc. in Schaumburg, IL.  PM Mold is a full-service manufacturer of injection molds, including two-color and multi-cavity, and also builds die cast dies.  The company offers molding of parts up to 1100 tons.

What is your company niche, and what does your company do that is notable, unique or different?  

Our company has taken the full-service approach to the manufacturing process.  We offer complete design, build and manufacturing services to our customers including both prototypes and production.  We feel the “one stop” approach is going to be more prevalent in the future as companies look to bring their programs online as quickly as possible.  With the services we offer, there’s no need for the customers to use multiple vendors.  This approach helps us with both timing and cost advantages for the customer.

When and how did you get into the industry, what attracted you to it?

I started in this industry at the prodding of my father back in 1982.  I liked the idea of getting into a skilled trade that was just beginning to develop its high tech side.  I came to PM Mold in 1984 after starting my apprenticeship at Morton Tool.  I went through Triton College for my manufacturing degree and also took apprenticeship classes in design and engineering at the Tooling & Manufacturing Association.

Relate a notable "best time" for your company.

I would say that the mid to late 1990’s were particularly good for the company.  Right now is also a great time because we are positioned to grow in the coming years.  Our unique approach to what the customer is looking for will help us to continue to grow.  We’re not just a mold maker; we offer many diverse services that help set us apart as a company.

Similarly, relate notable challenges that your company has overcome.

In the late 1990’s, one of our customers chose to go offshore to both Portugal and China in pursuit of the manufacture of high cavitation tooling.  Even with supplying the offshore competition with our tool designs, the customer found that the quality of the resulting molds was not as good as what we can produce, so the customer came back to us and remains our customer to this day. 

We are also very involved with in-mold decorating processes.  We build tools and mold products that require in-mold decorating for our customers.  We have overcome some challenges in this area for a customer that didn’t think a solution was possible.  The problem they were having was keeping the graphics aligned during the molding process.  But with the expertise of our design staff, we solved the problem and produced quality parts that made our customers very happy.  This is a very new arena for us that has really been taking off.  It’s been a challenge, but we’re seeing a lot of success with it.

When you are working on projects with your customers, what aspects would you like them to better recognize? 

We’d like them to notice all of the extra effort and hard work that our team gives to every project.  We go the extra yard for them and we’re proactive in recognizing challenges before they become a problem.  We are expected to do more and more for our customer every day and we hope that what we do is appreciated.

List newly acquired technology, machinery or key personnel (in last year).

We’ve acquired two Roders High Speed Milling Machines this year and we purchased a two-color molding press last year.  We also added key personnel in program management to help offer more services to the customer.

Has your company recently expanded?  Plans to expand or form partnerships/alliances?

We went through a major expansion in 2002 when we more than doubled the size of both our mold making and molding divisions.  We combined what were once two locations into one under one roof, making it very convenient for our customers when they visit and more efficient for us from a production standpoint.  It’s really nice to have everything in one place now.

Are you involved in any industry organizations or educational programs related to the trade?

Personally, I’m a member of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) and the North American Die Casting Association (NADCA).  I have also been working with a group at the College Of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL, to help bring young people into our trade.  As a company, PM Mold is a member of the Tooling & Manufacturing Association (TMA) and the American Mold Builders Association (AMBA). 

What do you think about changes occurring in the industry due to globalization?  How has it affected the way you do business?

I think that globalization would be okay if the playing field was level.  Since it isn’t, we have had to adapt and change the way we do business.  We look at business much differently than even a year ago.  You have to be open to change in order to survive.  We try and stay ahead of the curve and at the forefront of technology.  Service to the customer is vital – if you don’t give them what they want they will go somewhere else.

What will the industry look like in 3 to 5 years?

I think there may still be some consolation ahead.  Technology and outsourcing are still creating capacity.  I think the ability to help the customer in the design and concept stage will become more and more important.  Communication in all areas of the manufacturing process is critical these days, not only internally but also with customers and vendors.  Vendors are our partners and it will be the case for more and more tooling companies because it’s necessary to form these partnerships to serve the customer better and remain competitive in a global market.

Additional background information: 

Number of years in business:  PM Mold was established in Feb. 1965

Current number of employees:  45

Current square footage (each location):  45,000 

Additional locations:  none at this time 

Website:  www.pmmold.com  

Types of tools built and/or run:  Injection molds, die cast dies, compression molds, some stack molds 

Industries served:  automotive, electrical, telecom, appliances and fiber optics