Entek, the maker of twin-screw extruders, materials-handling systems and other processing equipment, held a press event Feb. 10 to show off its new facility in Henderson, Nev.
Based in Lebanon, Ore., the company is nearing completion of Phase 1 of its build-out of the 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility.
The plant includes a machine shop with CNC machinery and equipment; in-house heat-treating capabilities; and fabrication and assembly, controls engineering and mechanical engineering departments. It will support multiple divisions of the company, including:
• The wear parts division, which provides parts such as screws and barrels for Entek’s and other manufacturers’ twin-screw extruders.
• Entek Adaptive, acquired via the purchase of Adaptive Engineering & Fabrication in 2022, which produces materials-handling systems for difficult-to-convey materials.
• The lithium battery separator business, which includes twin-screw extrusion machinery and materials-handling components.
The decision to expand in Nevada was partly based on the availability of labor.
“We can purchase all the CNC machines money can buy, but if there are no machinists to run them, it won’t make any difference,” said Tim Glover, VP of machining.
“Increasing our manufacturing capabilities is important for us; we needed more space, and more workers, to keep up with our growth, including the growth of our wear parts business,” said Linda Campbell, VP of extrusion sales. “This expansion will help us meet our aggressive forecast for new business in the coming years.”
At the event, Entek also announced it is developing a 160mm twin-screw extruder, its largest to date, intended for high-output applications including masterbatch compounding. The first extruder is scheduled to ship in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Lynne Sherwin | Managing Editor
Managing editor Lynne Sherwin handles day-to-day operations and coordinates production of Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing’s print magazine, website and social media presence, as well as Plastics Recycling and The Journal of Blow Molding. She also writes features, including the annual machinery buying survey. She has more than 30 years of experience in daily and magazine journalism.
Bruce Geiselman | Senior Staff Reporter
Senior Staff Reporter Bruce Geiselman covers extrusion, blow molding, additive manufacturing, automation and end markets including automotive and packaging. He also writes features, including In Other Words and Problem Solved, for Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing, Plastics Recycling and The Journal of Blow Molding. He has extensive experience in daily and magazine journalism.
