ProMed expansion to double space, add molding equipment

MINNEAPOLIS (May 16)—Silicone molder ProMed Molded Products Inc. plans to double the size of its Minneapolis manufacturing plant and increase capital expenditures in the next year to continue its recent growth. The company will increase its facility size to 31,000 square feet from 15,000 square feet within 12-14 months, said Connie Laumeyer, ProMed sales and marketing manager. The expansion will include the addition of several transfer presses and liquid injection molding machines to support higher volume, plus the housing of a "quick-turn" technical center, designed for sampling and prototyping for customers. Sales at ProMed have risen 40 percent thus far in 2003 over last year, and since January, the firm has increased the size of its labor force to 105 from 70.