Toolmaker revamps plant, marketing strategy

Toronto-based tool and moldmaker, Royal Mould Technologies Inc., is kicking off an ambitious growth strategy by restructuring and renovating its manufacturing plant to incorporate a more work-flow friendly layout. In addition to revamping its 20,000 sq. ft., two-story facility, the company has brought in new sales, engineering and manufacturing staff to implement a plan to increase sales, especially in the U.S.

“We haven’t worked to expose ourselves as much as some companies, but we are very strong technically in concurrent engineering methods and product development,” says Michael Draga, technical sales manager. “Our plan is to go out and sell these strengths.”

The company, founded in 1978 by president Angel Neira, is actually comprised of two separate divisions: Royal Mould Technologies, which specializes in medium- to large size molds used in injection molding machines ranging from 300 to 1500 tons, and Royal Precision Tooling Ltd., which specializes in die cast tools and smaller, multi-cavity and precision injection molds.

At present approximately 90% of the company’s sales are in Canada, with the remainder coming from the U.S. Draga says the firm is especially interested in growing sales of medium- to large-sized molds to molders in Canada and the U.S. To help with this objective, the company recently purchased a new 3-axis CNC machine capable of machining steel blocks weighing up to 11,000 lb.

Draga says the company plans to grow by focusing on its core markets, which is mainly automotive, as well as some in the business machine, office products and houseware markets. One of the company’s strengths is building molds for exterior automotive parts, such as complete mirror assemblies.

While staying focused on its core capabilities market, the company is also considering expanding its horizons into the thixomolding market. Often described as the melding of metal die casting and injection molding, Thixomolding is a natural for the company, says Draga, because of its experience with both processes.