This week, the TPR features Tech Tool & Mold and Tech Molded Plastics, LP located in Meadville, PA. Scott Hanaway, who is President and Corporate Manager of this family-owned, full-service mold and plastic parts manufacturer, provided some insight into what makes this company a top choice for customers worldwide.

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

Tech Tool & Mold, Inc. and Tech Molded Plastics LP have over 33 years experience in supplying full service contract manufacturing for precision molded plastics. We are known internationally for innovative technical engineering, support, customer service, and the ability to convert complex ideas into viable products. Our people and their years of experience in the industry are driven to find innovative solutions that speed products to market with maximum efficiency. Tech continually invests in new technology, advanced training and cutting-edge techniques that increase the total delivered value of precision molded plastics.

Tech’s investment in people and advanced molding applications has won business globally including customers in Europe as well as servicing Asia, Mexico and South America. The value that Tech provides is centered on full service design, engineering and project management. We look beyond molding the part and seek to develop innovative concepts to achieve the product objectives for the highest total value.

Tech’s design, engineering, mold build and production services are located in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Even though trends in the plastics industry have shown a move to globalization pressures that chase perceivably low cost locations, Tech’s strategy remains focused on adding value to world markets.

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

Tech Tool & Die was founded in 1973 by William and Eva Hanaway as a precision tooling and heat treating shop.

The small family owned business became Tech Tool & Mold, Inc. in the late seventies as more complete plastic injection molds were being designed and built. In 1980, Tech Molded Plastics was formed to provide full service short- and long-run injection molded plastics production including integrated assembly and packaging.

In 1990 the role of President was assumed by Scott Hanaway. Scott shared his parents’ love of precision machining, product innovation, and community involvement. Scott’s vision and motivation placed Tech on the cutting edge of technology and training.

Through the years, Tech has grown from a small operation in a garage to one manufacturing in a 54,000-square-foot facility with the world’s most advanced equipment and one of the highest skilled workforces in the industry. Today the organization includes two award winning, world class manufacturing companies, Tech Tool & Mold, Inc. and Tech Molded Plastics LP.

Relate a notable "best time" for your company.

The “best times” at Tech are when our people are recognized for their contribution to the industry, the community and the service that they provide to our customers.

Over the course of the 33 years that we have been in business we have celebrated a number of “best times,” including:

• January, 2006 Scott Hanaway, President/CEO was appointed President of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA).

• August, 2005 Tech received the H.C. Winslow Award for economic growth.

• May, 2005 Tech was honored by the Small Business Administration as the Family-Owned Business of the Year encompassing a five state region (Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, and the District of Columbia.)

• June, 2004 Tech received Congressional recognition for being named as Gannon Small Business Development Center's Manufacturer of the Year.

• Tech has been voted as one of PA’s Best Places to work for four consecutive years beginning in 2000.

• January, 2003 Tech adds 24,000 square foot of warehouse space.

• June, 2002 Tech goes “Lean.”

• December, 1997 ISO & QS certifications were achieved in less than 10 months for two companies.

Similarly, relate notable challenges that your company has overcome.

One of our ongoing challenges is to find and develop workers that possess the talent needed in today’s technologically advanced manufacturing environment. Tech is meeting this challenge by partnering with local trade schools, universities, and associations through investments in time, resources and funding. Tech’s people hold positions on several boards and advisory positions with educational institutions, chambers of commerce, industry partnerships and community foundations. We devote time to speak with local universities, trade schools, students and parental groups to make certain that a curriculum is offered that builds the skills needed to enter into a high technology industry.

Through serving on the board and in committee of the Northwestern PA Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association and the Metals Industry Partnership, we have raised the funds needed to market and campaign for education, industry awareness and recruitment. Local vocational schools, precision manufacturing institutions, higher education and technical education degrees have seen significant increases in enrollment and boast exceptionally high placement rates due to industry promotion.

The speed of technology advancements and global markets require well educated and talented people. By advancing the skills and talents of the people in our community, the industry and our organization elevate the level of potential for success.

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

Value and the products purpose can often be different for a buyer versus an engineer. The benefit inherent to complex, precision tooling and close tolerance molded plastics goes beyond initial cost and rests upon fulfilling the product’s objectives at a price that the market will bear. Tech strives for the highest total delivered value which includes long-life, low-wear tooling to maximize run times, increase product performance and minimize lifetime costs.

We enjoy a tremendous amount of repeat business simply because our tools perform for years. Our customers will get competitive bids. They may find that our proposal is not always the lowest on initial cost but we provide significant savings through an overall analysis that considers the total delivered price. Looking beyond short term perceived savings can generate much greater returns in production efficiencies.

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

At Tech, we believe that continued investments in new technologies and equipment are essential to giving our customers the highest total valued needed to compete in today’s global marketplace.

• Since the start of 2006, Tech has added four Nissei all electric presses that provide increased productivity and the quality of products. The investment has helped to stabilize molding parameters, improve efficiency, increase control and improve networking capabilities.

• July 2006, 13 members of Tech’s management team developed the curriculum and began project management coursework through Edinboro University of PA’s manufacturing technology program utilizing a systems approach to management.

• February 2006, Tech acquired a Charmilles Roboform 35P with 90/4 electrode and pallet configuration using a QCRi Robot and ZAC technology

• In June, 2005 Tech added a Charmilles Roboform 240cc, delivering a minimum of 10% improvement in mold delivery with greater quality and reduced total cost.

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

Tech expanded in 2003 when an additional 37,000 square feet was added with the purchase of a co-located facility. We remain committed to a 40-member consortium of highly specialized tooling and machining companies. The consortium is represented at industry specific trade shows and markets the group under the name “The SOURCE” through multiple web and direct mail channels. We have the ability to take on large scale projects that require multiple disciplines and/or services that a single company may not be able to adequately provide.

Tech continues to actively seek growth oriented opportunities beyond existing services and alliances including acquisitions. We focus internally for operational excellence and externally for strength in market position.

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

Scott Hanaway, Tech’s President and CEO, serves as President of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA). Scott also serves on the Board of Director’s of the Manufacturer’s Association of Northwest PA. A number of Tech’s people are serving on the Vo- Tech Advisory Board and on the Board of Director’s at the Precision Manufacturing Institute. Tech’s people are also active in the Meadville Area Chamber of Commerce, Gannon University’s Small Business Development Center Advisory Board, and Edinboro University’s Business and Economics Advisory Board, and are member’s of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), and the American Society of Quality.

With regard to education, Tech has partnered with a number of local universities and technical schools to participate in apprenticeships, internships and ongoing continuing education for our workforce. All of Tech’s employees are targeted to receive a minimum of 40 hours of training per year.

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

Globalization has forced us to remain focused on core capabilities that build value rather than just parts. To build a product to a defined print, you compete on the global platform of price. When we apply innovative solutions, we capture the value that people need and win business by delivering on that promise.

The long-term effects of globalization will not be fully realized for a few more years but we are very aware of the pitfalls and opportunities. Large multi-national companies that we serve have forever changed the path that products take to reach consumers. Worldwide logistical strategies are essential. Small business has both the burden and the opportunity to craft new manufacturing techniques that capitalize on innovation, ingenuity and service.

Small business owners and employees need to look internally and externally at the issues affecting competition. Strong, decisive, ethical leadership is needed at all levels of business and with our elected officials to provide a positive future for our people and our families.

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

Long-term forecasting for our industry looks positive for value driven products and services. Global political issues rapidly influence today’s markets and the dynamics of industry. Those that embrace change and practice creative thinking will thrive.

Additional Background Information:

Number of years in business: 33

Current number of employees: 92

Current square footage: 54,000

Additional locations: None

Website: www.ttmp.com

Types of tools built and/or run:

• Production Multi-cavity Molds

• Quick Change Molds

• Insert Molds

• Multiple Slide Action Molds

• Precision CNC Machining

• Custom Wire and Ram CNC EDM

• Close Tolerance Spare Tooling

• Unlimited Close Knit Subcontracted, Resources For Large Projects

• Production Quality Prototypes

• Hard milled Prototypes

• Expandable and Interchangeable Tooling

• Stripper and Floating Cavity Plate Molds

• Hot Runner System

• Shuttle and Insert Molds

• Unscrewing Molds

Industries served:
Tech’s flexibility makes it open to markets that require highly complex, precision components. Primary industries include: Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Medical and Aviation.

Contact Information:
Tech Tool & Mold, Inc. and Tech Molded Plastics LP
1045 French Street
Meadville, PA 16335 USA
Tel: 814-724-8222
Fax: 814-333-2675
E-mail: Tech@ttmp.com
Mark Hanaway, Director of Sales and Marketing