Smart Molding International 1-2021

6 newsfeed smart_molding international 1/2021 For many companies, Covid-19 means standstill, but for some a ha rd sprint. The UK company Intersurgical manufactures me d i c a l d e v i c e s f o r respiratory support and because of the pandemic suddenly had to increase its capacity significantly. In this emergency situation, KraussMaffei has proved to be a flexible and reliable partner. When Covid-19 became an issue at the beginning of 2020, Charles Bellm, Managing Director of Intersurgical, had no idea that the illness would have such a massive impact on their business. By February, things were different: the first factory had already closed, and more and more governments and hospitals were contacting Intersurgical to secure deliveries of large a quantities of the highly specialized articles for respiratory support "We could have increased our production twenty-fold, and it still wouldn't have been enough," remembers Bellm. However, the production capacity was massively increased: with over 3,000 employees worldwide, 704 joined the teams during the course of the crisis, along with numerous new KraussMaffei injection moldingmachines being put into operation for Covid-19 relevant products. At the location in Lithuania a CX 160 with an electric turntable is producing filters that are integrated into the breathing systembetween a respiratorymachine and the patient. Before Covid-19, such filters were replaced routinely in intensive care every 24 hours, in some cases this can now be every one to two hours, which has further increased demand. At Intersurgical, 26 injection molding machines alone produce the EcoLite oxygen mask around the clock, which are supplied globally. KraussMaffei www.kraussmaffei.com In times of Covid-19, Intersurgical relies on KraussMaffei technology Comar, a premier supplier of specialty packaging solutions and custom molded medical devices and assemblies is proud to announce the relocation and expansion of its West Bend, Wisconsin manufacturing site. This represents the third major site expansion announcement by Comar in 2020. Comar ’s West Bend operation is moving into a 160,000 square-foot former plastic molding facility less than five miles from the current location. The new building will triple Comar’s local footprint and eventually house over seven million dollars of capital investment in high tonnage injectionmolding machines, large cavitation molds, and press side automation. Mike Ruggieri, CEO of Comar, said, “The pandemic affecting our society has brought an unprecedented surge in demand for Comar’s rigid packaging, especially for disinfecting wipes used in hospitals, homes and institutions. We recognize the critical role our injection molding and blow molding solutions play in delivering essential supplies to the frontlines inthebattleagainst COVID-19. This expansion shows our commitment to the fight and will position Comar to better meet demand while addressing the growth and service level needs of our customers. We will also be situated to support future injection molding and blow molding business opportunities and partnerships with our extensive floor space. ” James Spalding, West Bend Plant Manager at Comar, adds “In addition to the capacity expansion, our team members are looking forward to the improved floor layout, new break rooms, dedicated training facilities, and the planned investments in employee development. We anticipate an enlargement in our team as Comar is actively recruiting to fill immediate openings for skilled technicians and shift operators for the plant.” C oma r e x p e c t s t o commence a full plant move during the first quarter of 2021. Comar www.comar.com Comar invests in the fight against COVID-19 At the location in Lithuania, a CX 160 manufactures special filters that are integrated into the tube between a respiratory machine and the patient