By Michael Lauzon
CORRESPONDENT
Published: January 13, 2014 5:12 pm ET
Updated: January 13, 2014 5:15 pm ET
New Berlin Plastics Inc. recently added five Toshiba electric injection presses and robotics at a cost of about $750,000.
“It was to enhance our production capabilities for technical and cosmetic parts,” said New Berlin Plastics sales analyst Karl Held by phone from his firm’s New Berlin, Wis., head office.
Electric drives and new technology in the presses allow increased accuracy, response and reliability, explained the company’s senior processing manager Eric Pipkin in a Jan. 9 news release.
Held said New Berlin Plastics’ new electric presses installed in November bring the total up to 40, including retirement of several older models. Two of the Toshibas have clamp tonnages of 55 tons, and single electrics with clamps of 110, 200 and 300 tons comprised the rest of the recent installation.
New Berlin specializes in tight tolerance and appearance parts for automotive, water filtration, electrical and medical markets. It uses scientific analysis and cavity pressure sensing to meet the needs of demanding parts.
The custom molder also offers on-site chrome plating and painting, sonic welding, hot stamping, pad printing, assembly and packaging. Other capabilities are CNC milling, drilling and tapping of plastic parts, and a comprehensive tool shop.
Held says New Berlin Plastics employs about 113 in three shifts in a 100,000-square-foot facility. Its annual sales have grown markedly in recent years and now top $19 million, he estimated. | 
