Taking blow molding to the next level
Agri Industrial is further expanding its long-standing partnership with Kautex Maschinenbau. The American company is expanding its multi-layer fuel tank production capacity with having placed an order for another KBSmart120, which expected to be production-ready in Q4 2017.
Barrier coating also for small fuel containers
The Kautex machines in the KBSmart range are specially designed for the production of small plastic fuel containers up to 40 liters. With the aid of a six-layer die head, the plastic containers manufactured on it in the co-extrusion process can be fitted with an EVOH barrier coating, as has been used in the global automobile industry for many years. Stricter legal requirements by the Californian emission protection agency CARB have also made this procedure necessary for non-automobile applications for the turf equipment and powersports industries.
Long-standing partnership
Founded in 1978, Agri Industrial Plastics Co. is now among the leading manufacturers of large-format plastic parts. A total of 26 EBM machines are currently in operation at the Fairfield, Iowa facility which measures 30,000 square meters (340,000 square feet), including six , soon to be seven CoEx models from Kautex Maschinenbau. Almost exclusively, Agri uses blow-molding machines from the Bonn-based company.
“Since our initial investment in multi-layer co-extrusion capability in 2004, we’ve continued adding production capacity to meet growing customer demand for low perm gas tanks,” says Lori Schaefer-Weaton, president of Agri Industrial. “KAUTEX Machines has been our preferred supplier-partner for over 35 years. We leverage their industry-leading technology to ensure we’re providing highest quality products to our valued customers.”
Oriented towards the future
“Our business relationship with Agri Industrial has grown over many years,” confirms Kautex Managing Partner Andreas Lichtenauer. “During this time, Kautex has continually further developed its machine technology according to the requirements of the American market. Through the close collaboration with Agri Industrial, we have been able to ensure that our models always cater fully to the demand for smaller gas tanks for non-automotive applications.”
What unites both companies is the need to continually develop world-class process capability to meet the increasing performance demands of non-automotive OEMs. Customer service plays a major role here, both for Kautex Maschinenbau and for Agri-Industrial. The shared strategy is also reflected within corporate communication. Agri Industrial promises its customers “custom molding, taken to the next level”, while Kautex Maschinenbau has chosen a very similar trade fair slogan for K 2016: “Setting benchmarks for high production performance”.
About Agri-Industrial Plastics Company: Agri-Industrial Plastics Company (AIP) is a custom, large-part plastics blow molder founded in 1978. AIP serves a diversified customer base. AIP offers expertise in part design, mold design, part production, and assembly. Through each phase of the process, AIP provides the highest quality service and products to their customers.
www.agriindustrialplastics.com
About Kautex Maschinenbau GmbH
Kautex Machines, Inc. is located in North Branch, NJ and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kautex Machinenbau GmbH of Bonn, Germany. Kautex Machines, Inc. markets and services Kautex blow molding equipment manufactured in Germany and China for automotive, packaging and special applications throughout the North America and the Caribbean.
