Business Central February 2021

66 | Tekplas MANUFACTURING Plastics specialist on upward trend Richard Loader Tekplas’ primary product line is focused on the infant formula industry, producing plastic scoops and lids for baby formula tins. We test, commission and certify indoor air environments. Airlab is proud to partner with Tekplas on these new facilities. www.airlab.co.nz www.primaplas.com.au +64 9580 1792 Proud to be a long term supply partner of Tekplas The experts in resin and film distribution to leading NZ manufacturers F rom humble beginnings 26 years ago, Hamilton based plastic engineering specialist Tekplas has been on a constant growth trajectory, delivering bespoke solu- tions to a range of industries requiring high quality engineering. Proudly New Zealand owned, Tekplas started its journey as a small technical injec- tion moulding company with two moulding machines and four employees, manufacturing infant formula scoops and technical mould- ings. Today Tekplas has two purpose-built facil- ities in New Zealand with 29 state-of-the-art electric moulding machines and a team of over 100. In 2019, Tekplas commenced its South Is- land operation, building a facility in Rolleston, which was commissioned in March 2020. The new Rolleston facility is the only facility in New Zealand offering the manufacture of plastic mouldings inside an ISO Class 7 clean room environment. “Our end user is a high-risk demographic so there are very strict hygiene requirements in terms of compliance and special certifica- tions,” says Quality Manager Craig Preston. Having outgrown its Te Rapa facilities, Tek- plas is now in the process of building a new facility near Hamilton Airport and scheduled to be operational in July 2021, which will also include ISO class7 clean room moulding environment. “Our primary product line is focused on the infant formula industry, producing plastic scoops and enclosures—or lids—to go on baby formula tins. We are a high volume producer of scoops and enclosures. We invest heavily in top of the line machinery with exceptional repeatability and only purchase, high quality New Zealand made tooling with an expected life span of in excess of 10 million cycles.” Reflecting upon the company’s success over the last three decades, Scott says the partnership-relationship Tekplas fosters with its customer has been key throughout the journey. Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. DO OUR READERS KNOW YOU EXIST? “We have a partnership with our customers and go to the highest level to make sure we provide them with the best service, quality and price—meeting our clients highest expec- tations. We go the extra mile to understand our customers business and facilities, working in partnership to deliver on the critical ele- ments they are wanting to achieve. “We’re committed to continuous improve- ment, and will put our resources into finding solutions to reduce cost, improve quality and increase productivity not just in the client’s product, but throughout their entire produc- tion line.” Craig adds that flexibility and the ability to respond quickly to the clients changing needs is part of the company culture. “We sit down and listen to what our clients requirements are and our directors have a willingness to invest back into the business which helps us to grow.” With the company’s directors willing to invest back into the business, Tekplas is con- tinually looking at opportunities to increase its product range and consider other plastics moulding technologies, including automation. Tekplas considers automation is the key to the company’s future growth and capabilities. “Many of our machines are equipped with robotics with the aim to limit or eliminate human contact with the product,” says Scott. “With automation solutions becoming more affordable the opportunities are endless.”