Icon Plastics has expanded its workforce and capabilities following a £200,000 investment in high-tech equipment to meet the demands of a growing client base.
This latest investment by the Tees Valley business has seen the installation of two state-of-the-art Negribossi Canbio ST machines, bringing the total number of plastic injection moulding machines at the Durham Lane, Eaglescliffe site to 27 and vastly increasing its capacity.
The new machines use robotics-based technology and computer design to produce plastic components for use in industries as wide-ranging as the medical, construction, defence and automotive fields.
Icon Plastics Managing Director Gareth Thomas said: “This latest investment is part of our continued strategy to develop and expand our business offering to maintain our position at the forefront of the industry.”
In addition, Icon, which operates 24 hours a day five days a week, has also expanded its workforce to bring the total number of staff to 56. This includes the appointment of a new operations manager and three line operators, who have each been trained in the intricacies of the new machines.
Operations Director Phil Walker said: “Over the last 12 months, we have invested more than £400,000 so that we can continue accommodate our recent contract wins.
“The new Negribossi machines are a major upgrade for Icon. They are more accurate and efficient than our previous machines thanks to their synchronous motors, technology more often seen in industrial robots. This means we are more productive than ever, allowing us to increase our client base, expand our workforce and future-proof the business.”