Wilmington Machinery sold, founder Russ LaBelle steps away

By Karen Hanna

A local private investor has purchased Wilmington, N.C.-based Wilmington Machinery, according to a press release Feb. 10, in the wake of news that the company’s founder, Russ LaBelle, is stepping away.  

The blow molding and injection molding machinery (IMM) maker, now operating as Wilmington Machinery LLC, declined to release the purchaser's name or price of the acquisition, finalized in January. It pledged to continue honoring contracts with customers. As it works to grow and to ensure a seamless transition and uninterrupted service, it looks forward to trying to double its 25-person-strong workforce this year.   

“This acquisition represents a tremendous opportunity to build on Wilmington Machinery’s legacy of excellence while accelerating innovation,” LaBelle said in the press release. “The company’s reputation for quality and customer commitment remains a top priority, and under new leadership, Wilmington Machinery LLC is well-positioned for long-term success.” 

LaBelle told Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing (PMM) in a 2019 profile that he was “fascinated by structural injection foam molding” and moved to North Carolina in 1972 with $10,000 and an idea to build IMMs to serve the furniture industry. He leveraged a background in engineering to fill a need for specialized plastic machinery solutions that have been adopted by companies around the world in the packaging and automotive sectors, along with other industries. 

Wilmington has become known for its large-part presses and IMMs for high-output production of structural foam parts. The company has long touted its machines’ energy efficiency and ability to process recycled materials.  

It entered the blow molding market in the early 1980s. 

According to the press release, LaBelle “believed in providing not just machinery, but complete solutions tailored to meet each customer’s unique needs, a philosophy that has become a cornerstone of the company's success.” 

LaBelle described his philosophy to PMM in 2019: “My passion is to conceive, design and build machines that perform well. I’m a good listener and I have a can-do attitude, but I’m also flexible and willing to explore options and other possibilities. My career followed a series of lucky steps along the way. Experience helps a lot.” 

While the company has not identified its new owner, Wilmington said it is positioned to build upon LaBelle’s success.  

“The new ownership brings extensive experience in manufacturing and business development, reinforcing Wilmington Machinery’s dedication to innovation and customer success. With a strong foundation built over five decades, the company is now strategically positioned to enhance its product offerings, streamline production and further invest in engineering, service and customer support,” according to the company.  

Wilmington said it plans on continuing to focus on its low-pressure structural foam molding technologies, as well as custom technologies, investing in engineering and service teams, and providing customers with access to equipment for testing.