The needs for speed, sustainability and space are among the challenges facing manufacturers.
If you can relate — or if, like so many manufacturers, you’re just trying to cope with labor challenges — our Problem Solved feature might be a helpful place to start brainstorming solutions. Revisit the processors who shared with us in 2025 how they’re working with equipment suppliers to streamline their processes, improve productivity and meet their customers’ needs. If you’d like to suggest a story for 2026, just let us know, at [email protected].
Data wrangling pays off
Data is increasingly guiding the manufacturing process. Thermoforming company SAY Plastics is one company that’s aiming to be at the forefront of the revolution. An ERP system from DelmiaWorks —together with the analytical skills of an employee tasked with leveraging IT to drive improvement — is helping it crunch the numbers to identify efficiencies and address bottlenecks.
Collaboration makes green push
Sustainability challenges should be tackled as a team sport. The development of a recyclable stand-up pouch demonstrates the importance of collaboration, as Effytec, a maker of form-fill-seal machinery, flexible packaging maker LD Pack USA, welding equipment maker Dukane Corp. and molder Hoffer Plastics joined forces to work on greener packaging.
Reducing packaging complexity supports recycling
Efforts to curb potential contamination from varying plastic materials in the recycling stream is driving innovation across packaging makers. In another example of a collaboration, sustainable materials maker Origin Materials and molder Reed City Group worked together to produce a thermoformed PET cap that can be recycled in conventional recycling streams.
Wittmann machines squeeze more out of production space
Don’t let your space dictate your ceiling. That’s the message from OEMs that are working with processors to fit machinery into tight spaces, so they can continue meeting the needs of their customers. To optimize its production at its space-challenged Lakeville, Conn., facility, ITW Deltar Fasteners turned to Wittmann’s Insider Package injection molding machine arrangements.
LS Mtron makes room for new molding job
Making parts measuring over 4 feet tall wouldn’t be a problem for a plant with a very high roof. But space-challenged Stanford Manufacturing wanted the job, and found an ally in LS Mtron, which helped it squeeze in special injection molding machines with retractable tie bars.
Special capabilities set molder with metals background apart
Got some capabilities that set you apart? Sometimes, that special blend of skills is just what the customer needs. That was the case for Southpointe Precision, which is using a mix of plastic and metal-forming process, along with Wittmann molding technology, to bring a stainless steel–ABS dog grooming accessory to market.
Simplifying process speeds medical device to market
For liquid-silicone-rubber (LSR) molding specialist Silcotech, scaling up production of a new device to help premature infants feed meant finding ways to reduce manual assembly. Find out how it modified its process to produce the part as a single unit, allowing the new Neotech Bridge to hit the market, where it can begin helping babies and new moms.
Fanuc, Milacron give molder, molding customers confidence
Like many manufacturers, including other medical parts molder, gear maker ABA-PGT has to offer its customers reassurance their parts are consistently, correctly made, with verification throughout the entire process. Its partnerships with Milacron and Fanuc bring that reassurance to all parties.
About the Author
Karen Hanna
Senior Staff Reporter
Senior Staff Reporter Karen Hanna covers injection molding, molds and tooling, processors, workforce and other topics, and writes features including In Other Words and Problem Solved for Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing, Plastics Recycling and The Journal of Blow Molding. She has more than 15 years of experience in daily and magazine journalism.