The TPR invited Tom Caron, who is Vice President of Sales at Custom Mold & Design, Inc. in New Hope, MN, to describe this company’s strategies for not only remaining competitive but for succeeding and growing to becoming one of the most respected companies in the industry. 

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

For more than 45 years, Custom Mold & Design has been designing and building fully interchangeable, fast-cycling, high-precision injection molds, including multi-cavity, two-shot, metal injection, silicone, micro-molds, and ceramic molds.

Our CMD Express division focuses on quick turn low cavitation tooling, mold components and fixturing as
well as ultra-precision machined components
and assemblies.
 

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

Custom Mold and Design has been in business since 1965. Our owner came out of the tool making profession. The average employee has 20 + years of experience in this industry. You can say that the tool and die profession is in the blood of each and every employee.

Relate a notable "best time" for your company.

Ray Newkirk purchased the company in January 2003. When he purchased the business he promised that there would be change for the good. In fact, to help those who might normally resist change, he provided copies of the book “Who Moved My Cheese?” Since that time, we have more than quadrupled in terms of sales, while expanding the plant and adding cutting edge technology, equipment
and personnel along the way. It has been a great ride.

Similarly, relate notable challenges that your company has overcome.

A current day example involves a customer who has a complex tooling and molding application that has been attempted by companies throughout the world. They have come to Custom Mold & Design in order to help them resolve their manufacturing issues. Starting with a completely different mold design concept, we are manufacturing an extremely complex mold. We are also building a very proprietary R&D room in our molding facility and installing a dedicated molding machine in it. Through the assistance of our sister company (Teamvantage) we will perform the tooling trials and develop a capable manufacturing process that will eliminate the manufacturing issues and improve both cycle times and yields. Everything will ultimately be transferred back to our customer to support their internal molding operations.

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

The advantages of getting us involved early on in the design process so we can assist with optimizing their designs for manufacturability and cost containment.

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

We have added more than $1.4 million dollars in new equipment (high speed milling centers and jig boring equipment) and have increased our staff by 25%
(adding Tool Makers, Machinists, Engineers, and
Quality Staff).

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

Expansion - yes, see #6 above. In terms of forming partnerships, we are very open to establishing strategic alliances with our key customers and suppliers. We have a number of these types of mutually beneficial relationships in place and on the horizon.

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

Yes, we have personnel who are involved in a variety of
organizations, and are currently considering expanding our involvement into some new ones.

We do support educational programs like Dunwoody, where we are involved at the board level.

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

The globalization of our industry has certainly raised the bar in terms of competition. In fact, many competitors have fallen by the way side as a result. In times like these, if you are not working every day to expand your capabilities and personnel you are losing ground. Because of our dedication to excellence and remain-
ing a state-of-the-art facility we have seen our
business grow.

For example, we recently completed the Certified Maintenance Provider program through ToolingDocs. Our mold maintenance shop, documentation and procedures were examined and scored on-site and our lead maintenance technician underwent rigorous, hands-on training at the ToolingDocs Maintenance Center. This resulted in our shop becoming certified by ToolingDocs and we’ve adopted advanced, systematic mold maintenance processes that will give us a competitive advantage.

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

I see an industry with fewer competitors, and customers that require faster throughput at lower costs. Both of these can only be accomplished through increased technology and hiring the best possible talent.           

Additional Background Information:               

• Number of years in business:  46

• Current number of employees:  49 

• Current square footage:  Approximately 25,000

• Additional locations:  Sister Company – Teamvantage in Forest Lake, MN

• Website:  www.custommold.net

• Types of tools built and/or run:  Fully interchangeable, fast-cycling, high-precision
  injection molds, including multi-cavity, two-shot, metal injection, silicone, micro-molds,
  and ceramic molds.

• Industries served:  Aerospace, Consumer, Defense, Electronics, Healthcare, Industrial, Medical, Telecom, etc. 

Teamvantage Building

For more information:

Custom Mold & Design, Inc.
5420 International Parkway
New Hope, MN 55428
Tom Caron, Vice President – Sales

tcaron@custommold.net

Tel: (763) 450-1143

Fax: (763) 535-5427

 

Email: sales@custommold.net