Silicone molder Rico to increase production capacity

THALHEIM BEI WELS, Austria—Mold maker and silicone injection molding company Rico Elastomere Projecting GmbH, a member of the Rico Group network, is to "significantly increase" production capacity at its plant in Thalheim bei Wels in Upper Austria.

Rico, which recently started construction work on the project, makes billions of silicone parts every year, as well as producing injection molds for customers worldwide.

The investment will allow a large-scale increase in production capacity at the company's Thalheim site, next to its headquarters in Thalbach industrial park—creating 100 new jobs.

Located on an adjoining 2.5-hectare (about 6.2 acres) plot, the "new production facility will open the door for a huge expansion in manufacturing capacity," said Rico.

According to the company, a "strong current order situation has made the extension necessary."

Rico supplies molds and silicone parts for the plumbing supplies, appliances, health care, life sciences, automotive and industrial sectors.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the first phase of construction took place on June 15, with the new building expected to be occupied in 2023.

Rico opened a 59,200-sq.ft. production plant in 2018, and the company currently has over 161,000 square feet of space at its disposal.

"We always think big," said Managing Director Markus Nuspl. "When we finished the most recent addition in 2018, we thought it would give us enough space until 2025. But the site is already bursting at the seams."