BUSINESS BUZZ

PLASTIKOS, INC. INVESTS IN EQUIPMENT TO ADVANCE MICRO MOLDING CAPABILITIES Plastikos, Inc., a precision medical injection molder, has further diversified its product portfolio with the purchase of two Arburg micro molding machines. Each machine is capable of delivering a shot size as small as 0.3 ounces of material. Medical sales for Plastikos increased by more than 10 percent in 2019 with a strong demand focused on smaller, miniature devices. Rob Cooney, Plastikos’ manufacturing manager, spoke highly of the opportunities that lie ahead for future micro molding projects, “Plastikos saw an opportunity as a result of an increasing trend within the medical industry through various micro fluidic and wearable devices. As components continue to be miniaturized and various hot runner technologies becoming available to go runner-less, it was, therefore, critical to provide smaller shot capabilities to ensure optimal barrel utilization and shot-to-shot consistency to maximize our quality and efficiency. These new machines provide us with the flexibility to meet our stringent customer demands at all cavitation levels.” The upgrades are currently being completed within Plastikos’ ISO 7 cleanroom, which is being tailored specifically to accommodate the two medical micro molding machines, complete with side entry robotics. Once finished, the expected capacity within Plastikos’ original cleanroom is projected to increase by 25 percent. Philip Katen, Plastikos’ president and general manager, explained that “Plastikos’ continued investment, both at Plastikos, as well as at Plastikos Medical, represents our commitment to grow with and to support our strategic medical device customers, as their business and product portfolio continues to expand.” Earlier this year, Plastikos attained its ISO 13485 certification and it was quickly followed by the grand opening of Plastikos Medical, a brand-new 25,000- square-foot facility that is 100 percent dedicated to cleanroom medical injection molding, within an ISO 7 cleanroom environment. In total, Plastikos & Plastikos Medical have grown to 42 molding machines, nearly half of which are in an ISO 7 cleanroom. “We’re very excited to utilize these two brand new micro molding machines.” Katen explained, “It will enable our customers to provide the innovative medical devices that make their customers’ lives better every day.” Based in Erie, Pennsylvania, Plastikos and sister company Micro Mold specialize in precision mold design & fabrication, as well as tight-tolerance injection molding. For information, visit www.plastikoserie.com.

Plastikos, Inc. has invested in micro molding machines and is upgrading its cleanroom at the Erie, Pennsylvania facility.

ERIE FCU ANNOUNCES SPECIAL PATRONAGE BONUS Erie Federal Credit Union (Erie FCU) recently announced that it would pay a special patronage bonus to its membership for the third consecutive year. The Patronage Bonus of $645,000 is larger than the past two years and was to be paid to eligible members in January. Over the past three years, Erie FCU has paid out nearly $1.8 million via its patronage bonus program. The Patronage Bonus was developed in order to distribute an equitable bonus back to members based on their individual account relationship and continued member loyalty over the past calendar year. Any active member in good standing on December 31, 2019 was eligible to receive a share of the declared Patronage Bonus. “As a credit union, we are very pleased to be able to return a portion of our earnings to our member-owners. This truly is what sets us apart from many for-profit financial institutions”, said Brian Waugaman, Erie FCU CEO. “2019 was another extremely successful year for us thanks to the many members who choose to take advantage of the products and services we offer.” Since its inception in 1936, Erie Federal Credit Union has grown its membership to close to 63,000 in Erie and Crawford Counties with assets of more than $543 million. For information, visit www.eriefcu.org. VOTING SET FOR ‘WHAT’S SO COOL ABOUT MANUFACTURING’ CONTEST The Northwest Contest of What’s So Cool About Manufacturing (WSCM) for middle schools in Erie and Crawford Counties is in full swing. WSCM is a student video contest with the goal to create awareness within the schools and the community about cool manufacturing careers through the eyes of 7th and 8th grade students. The team, guided by their Teacher Coach, conducts research, films at the company, and edits their video for final submission to be

eligible for several award categories, including Viewer’s Choice selected by online voting. The program started with Teacher Coach training back in October and culminates with a three-day online voting period for school videos (March 16-18) for other award categories, and an Awards Ceremony on March 26, 2020. Fifteen middle schools in Erie and Crawford County, paired with a manufacturer partner are competing this year. The community can get involved too by voting to select the Viewer’s Choice award winner at www. WhatsSoCool.org (look for Northwest contest). NWIRC is producing the program again this year, along with support from Career Street, WQLN, NWPA Job Connect, Erie County Technical School, Crawford County Career and Technical Center (CCCTC), and Precision Machining Institute (PMI), Crawford County K-12 Career Education Alliance, Progress for Industry (PFI), NWPA-NTMA, Haines Printing, Edinboro University, Remedy Intelligent Staffing, and McGill Power Bell. Participants include: Blessed Sacrament School (GeorgeKo Industries); Cambridge Springs Jr/Sr High School (Meadville Forging Company/MFC Group); Cochranton Jr/Sr High School (Acutec Precision Aerospace); Corry Area Middle School (Great Lakes Manufacturing); Erie First Christian Academy (Composiflex); Maplewood Jr/Sr High School (Area Tool & Manufacturing); Meadville Area Middle School (Mecal by Starn); North East Middle School (McInnes Rolled Rings); Rice Avenue Middle School (Micro Mold & Plastikos); Saegertown Jr/Sr High School (Peter’s Heat Treating); St. Gregory’s Parish School (Electric Materials); Union City Area Middle School (Corry Manufacturing); Walnut Creek Middle School (Beaumont Technologies); Wilson Middle School (American Turned Products); and Westlake Middle School (Modern Industries). Top winners among each of the contests will advance to the statewide awards on April 29 in Harrisburg. For information, visit www.WhatsSoCool.org.