By Michael Lauzon
CORRESPONDENT
Published: May 29, 2014 4:08 pm ET
Updated: May 29, 2014 4:12 pm ET
Thermoformer and vacuum former Industrial Custom Products Inc. is expanding its size capabilities with a new Maac three-station machine.
Industrial Custom sales manager Chad Simonson said in a May 29 phone interview that the new thermoformer, the company’s 10th, was installed in early May and is going through commissioning steps. He did not disclose the cost of the expansion.
“We’ve had so many opportunities in recent years for larger parts,” Simonson explained. The new machine can make parts up to 8 feet by 10 feet with a draw of 40 inches for sheet up to 0.375 inch thick. Its previous maximum size was 5 feet by 9 feet.
The private company foresees large-part applications for agricultural equipment, recreational and off-road vehicles, power sports, lawn and garden equipment and construction machinery. Simonson said the new former can process the firm’s main resins — polyethylene, ABS, polycarbonate, polystyrene and thermoplastic polyolefin. Industrial Custom buys sheet but also is considering installing a small, rotary thermoforming line.
In addition to industrial markets, the Minneapolis company supplies packaging, point-of-purchase, agricultural, medical and other markets. Its services range from prototyping to die cutting, CNC routing and fabrication.
Industrial Custom employs 46 and does about $14 million in annual sales. It was established in 1955. | 
