The partnership between injection molding machine maker Athena Automation Ltd., Vaughan, Ontario, and preform mold maker Sipa SpA, Vittorio Veneto, Italy, has expired.
The two companies entered into a formal agreement in 2012 under which they designed and serviced small- and mid-sized injection molding machines for making PET preforms. These were marketed as "Athena for SIPA" and incorporated Sipa's XForm injection molding system that can handle molds with upwards of 96 cavities. Sipa managed the sales, service and integration of all Athena PET preform machines exclusively worldwide. Officials with Athena said that Athena will support Sipa in shipping and servicing the remaining machine inventory. Sipa said it will continue to support Athena in the area of PET preform injection molding.
"As far as the molds are concerned, we're not forming an alliance with a specific mold maker," said Robert Schad, Athena's president. "We will let customers choose the mold maker they want to use with the post-mold cooling and quick mold change technologies from Athena."
Sipa officials said that working together was an excellent experience and both parties benefitted from the collaboration.
