Molded Dimension expands operation, capabilities

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—Urethane and rubber product maker Molded Dimensions Inc. has expanded its operation and increased its capabilities with the addition of a mold maker.

It also plans to purchase another facility in late May to house its latest acquisition and a division that's presently housed at its complex of buildings in Port Washington, Wis.

Molded Dimensions recently purchased Knuth Machine and Tool, based in Grafton, Wis., for an undisclosed amount and renamed the business KM Tooling, according to Mike Katz, president of Molded Dimensions.

KM Tooling, which serves the rubber and urethane industries, will be moved to the soon-to-be acquired plant in Grafton, Wis., located about five miles from Port Washington, he said. It will occupy about 9,200 square feet of the structure and will close its present factory.

Its work force of eight experienced tool and die makers, engineers, pattern makers, jig and fixture makers, and machinists has been retained, Katz said, and will operate out of the new facility. Another employee is being added at the factory, he said.

Molded Dimensions also will move its GlocalSource division to the Grafton facility, where it will have approximately 12,000 square feet to operate, he said. GlocalSource provides global manufacturing with local service and support.

Its new building gives Molded Dimensions four facilities in the area. The manufacturer and distributor of engineered and molded elastomer components and mechanical parts operates out of a 24,000-sq.-ft. plant that produces urethane products, a 32,000-sq.-ft. rubber goods factory and a 5,000-sq.-ft. warehouse in Port Washington.

Katz and his wife, Linda, CEO of Molded Dimensions, discussed the latest developments at the company during the Polyurethane Manufacturers Association meeting and supplier showcase, held April 26-28 in Charlotte.

They said KM Tooling is a leader in the design and manufacture of precision molds, tools and trim dies, along with custom precision machining. Its services include vertical machining, sinker and wire EDM, CNC turning, surface grinding, CNC milling and welding.

It has been in the mold making business for more than 50 years, “so we will continue that great tradition for the industry,” according to Linda Katz, who owns two thirds of Molded Dimensions while company employees own the remaining third.

“To be clear, the company will not be captive to Molded Dimensions but will continue to be a resource for both the rubber and urethane industries,” she said.

Molded Dimensions acquired the company, she said, because the former owner was at a point of stepping down, “and we provided a seamless way for him to exit.”

Adding the tooling business to its fold will help Molded Dimensions become even better at the development and introduction of new products for customers, Linda Katz said.

KM Tooling will grow in its own right, she added, “because it will be a better mold making company and will be better for the industry.”

Molded Dimensions produces a wide assortment of products from materials that include polyurethane, natural rubber, fluorocarbons, EPDM, neoprene, nitrile, butyl, silicone, styrene butadiene, hydrin, polyester and polyether. Markets served include automotive, transportation, health care, construction, waste management, marine, high-speed packaging, plumbing, mining, small engine, electronics, heavy machine and agriculture.

Its products run the gamut from bellows to bumpers to rollers to seals to shock mounts.

The company's capabilities include product and material engineering, in-house tooling, rubber-to-metal bonding, molding, injection molding, compression molding, cast compression, casting, machining, die-cutting and special packaging.

Molded Dimensions is doing well, Mike Katz said. “There's no particular area of growth, just good blocking and tackling.

“We focus on being a place where great people choose to work. This business philosophy has manifested itself in great employees that we are blessed to work with everyday who take care of great customers.”