NPE2015: Engel sells six presses to Sterling

April 3, 2015
Engel Machinery Inc., York, Pa., sold six new injection molding machines to Sterling Manufacturing Co. Inc., Lancaster, Mass., during NPE2015.

Engel Machinery Inc., York, Pa., sold six new injection molding machines to Sterling Manufacturing Co. Inc., Lancaster, Mass., during NPE2015.

Officials from both companies made the announcement March 25 at NPE2015 during a press conference at Engel's booth. The presses range in size from 30 to 340 tons. They will be equipped with multi-axis servo robots and installed at the company's facility in 2015.

Inside Sterling's cleanroom in Lancaster, Mass.

The tie-bar-less Victory Spex machines are part of Sterling's multi-million dollar expansion of its facility.

"Sterling is in an excellent financial position, allowing us to capitalize on re-shoring opportunities and an improving economy," said Stan Bowker, Sterling's president. Among its markets, the company serves those that are not specified overseas, including military, aviation and medical.

"We're focusing our efforts on those," said Bowker of those markets that are not as susceptible to being outsourced.

The company's expansion will include an upgrade to its ISO-certified Class 8 clean room, doubling the footprint from 2,500 square feet to 5,000 square feet.

Sterling also is highly focused on sustainability and officials are determined to remain at the forefront of eco-friendly manufacturing practices. The Engel presses are equipped with Ecodrive technology, which will result in about 40 percent less energy consumption compared to traditional hydraulic machines.