Milacron introduces on-site remanufacturing to significantly reduce cost and time for upgrading injection-molding machines

On-site service avoids major costs, time and risks in rigging and trucking IMMs

May 17, 2006 – Milacron is introducing on-site remanufacturing of Cincinnati Milacron injection molding machines in North America. The on-site service offers major savings in time and cost by eliminating rigging and trucking of the IMM back-and-forth to Milacron's Batavia plant. "On a 1500-ton press, transport can cost $150,000 and take three weeks or more coming and going," said Mark Ruberg, director of Milacron's aftermarket business. "This becomes an even greater factor for machines in Canada or Mexico. The customer not only saves those costs, but can keep the machine running longer and get it back into production sooner," he notes.

In the remanufacturing process, Milacron replaces key components and controls with latest technologies, according to Ruberg. "We keep the original machine chassis, but everything under the hood is 2006." The service includes hydraulic system upgrades, control technology enhancements, new injection unit capability and safety compliance, among others. In some cases the service involves new machines in combination with older units that are retrofitted into a new production cell.

The Contract Services Group has already booked several remanufacturing jobs that are being performed in Mexico. Doing the work locally not only avoids the distance and transport issues, but also import/export problems. In addition turnaround time can be significantly reduced.

Besides on-site remanufacturing, Milacron is upgrading two Cincinnati Milacron IMMs in a leased facility in Mexico. "In this particular case, the customer says that his facility is so tight that doing the work on site would be difficult," Ruberg explained.

For on-site remanufacturing, Milacron sends in a service engineer to determine what components and parts need to be replaced and the work that needs to be performed. Back at Milacron, the project is engineered, parts ordered, the remanufacturing kit assembled, and the technician crew scheduled. "We give the customer advance notice when we're going to bring the upgrade package in," Ruberg said. "In the meantime, the plant can still run production."

Besides remanufacturing, the Contract Services Group also offers retrofit and rebuild services. Retrofit adds or changes certain components to fit evolving customer requirements. The services give an older machine an extended productive life. "Milacron has been providing this service to molders in the Americas for many years as the Milacron installed machinery base is considered by many to be one of the largest, if not the largest," said Bob Strickley, director of marketing at Milacron. "The retrofit and rebuild service from Milacron has a very experienced work force with the expertise for returning the machine to original performance capability or enhanced capability. The rebuild and retrofit service is not restricted to machines manufactured by Milacron. We have provided upgrade services for just about every machinery brand on the market today, as well as some no longer on the market."

The aftermarket services offered by Milacron help customers improve the productivity and versatility of their injection presses and extend the productive life of their machines. With more than 1000 machines serviced with upgrades, retrofits or rebuilds, Milacron has saved customers millions of dollars by extending the life of machines of all makes and models. At NPE 2006 there will be a major pavilion called the Milacron Aftermarket Center, which will be located in the huge Milacron display.

First incorporated in 1884, Milacron is a leading global supplier of plastics-processing technologies and industrial fluids, with 3,500 employees and major manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and Asia. For further information, visit www.milacron.com or call the toll-free investor line: 800-909-MILA (800-909-6452).