Precimax Plastics celebrates 50 years

WORDS Nina Parletta & Mike Richards

Notching up half a century is an impressive milestone for any business, but the longevity of Green Fieldsbased company Precimax Plastics comes as no surprise.

The business employs more than 35 people, many of which live in the local community, and has a proud history stemming from its initiation in 1970 by Don Gilchrist.

The toolmaker, who once worked for Rolls Royce Engines in the United Kingdom before immigrating to Salisbury from Scotland, has a strong drive, high standards and attention to detail that cemented the business as having only the best machines and people within the industry from the beginning.

The business was founded on the back of relationships and contracts with prestigious blue chip businesses such as James Hardie, HR Products, Clipsal, Electrolux Climate Technologies and Iplex.

After initially setting up on Acrylon Road, Salisbury South, Don established Precimax Plastics in an adjoining shed as a plastic injection moulding business providing regular income and work for the tool room.

In the early 1980s Precimax targeted the white goods industry for growth. After winning a major contract in 1991, Precimax moved to the existing site at Watervale Drive, Green Fields, which was purpose-built for the tooling and plastics operation.

Since this time, Precimax has been successful in growing and servicing other major manufacturers while gaining ISO 9001

Precimax is one of the largest plastics manufacturers in Adelaide.

accreditation – a quality management system recognised for best practices.

Products are now manufactured for a variety of industries including appliances, mining, recreational, industrial, water management and environmental.

While the mix of customers and work has changed over the years Precimax has maintained its strong position in the plastics industry, thanks to the initial lead of Don and his successor, Peter McCall, who bought the business when Don retired in 2008, when Peter was serving as general manager.

“With Don’s initial guidance, my long-serving loyal staff and with the help from professional mentors, the business continued to flourish,” Peter said. Over the years Precimax has invested steadily in modern injection moulding machines, systems and people and is now home to 19 moulding machines ranging from 100 to 850 tonne capacity – making the company one of the largest plastics manufacturers in Adelaide.

Precimax is also proud to have supported young entrepreneurial businesses realise their dreams by providing assistance through the entire manufacturing process from design, tooling, moulding, assembly, testing and packaging.

Precimax has a long association with Council’s business advisory service through the Polaris Business and Innovation Centre, having been part of their mentoring programs since 2014 and received advice on Federal and State Government support.