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The right injection molding equipment for the job keeps custom molders competitive and contributes to their growth. One example of that is the business relationship between KraussMaffei (Florence, KY) and Alpha Systems LLC (Elkhart, IN), which dates back to 2013 when Alpha Systems started replacing equipment to upgrade its molding operations.
Alpha Systems was founded in 1984 as a manufacturer and distributor of products for the recreational vehicle (RV), marine and manufactured housing industries. At that time, Alpha Systems specialized primarily in sealants.
Ten years after its founding, the company worked with UniRoyal Elastomers Co. to pioneer the development of EPDM rubber roofing for manufactured housing and RV applications. Alpha Systems began offering TPO roofing and flooring membranes, and offering total roofing systems.
In 1997, Alpha Systems acquired an injection molding company and expanded into other plastic products. In 2009, the company acquired a blowmolding machine to manufacture parts weighing up to 30 pounds for the RV industry, such as fresh water and holding tanks.
In 2012, Alpha Systems acquired an injection molding business and relocated its operations to Alpha’s Elkhart campus. That acquisition doubled the size of Alpha’s injection molding operations.
By 2013, Alpha Systems was ready to start replacing equipment for the first time since it began making acquisitions 15 years earlier. KraussMaffei won the business for several reasons, according to Jeff Taber, Injection Mold Production Manager. “KraussMaffei keeps us competitive, with dependable machines that deliver highly consistent production numbers,” he commented. “Also, KraussMaffei has a reputation for quality, a better price versus the competition, plus a strong U.S. parts and service support presence.”
Additionally, Alpha Systems found KraussMaffei’s wide range of options for barrel capacity, shot size and screw design a perfect fit for the range of parts it molds. The first KraussMaffei machine was delivered in October 2013; the most recent was installed in February of this year.
The company currently runs five KraussMaffei injection molding machines ranging from 50 to 1600 metric tons. Parts production includes small vent fan blades, RV moon roofs and exterior house shutters. Alpha Systems also uses the machines for decorative color applications. The company outsources its mold requirements.
Alpha Systems plans to add more machines as production demands increase.
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