Page 14 - Plastics News June 2018

CompAny news

Nissei’s new Texas plant a key to its Andersen invests $40M in

growth plans in US composite windows

issei Plastic Industrial Co. Ltd.’s first U.S. manufacturing ndersen Corp. has started a $40 million expansion
Noperation, in San Antonio, is focusing on medium- and Aat its headquarters campus to produce more Fibrex
large-tonnage injection molding machines, a key focus brand material for one of its fastest growing window
for the Japanese company in North America. Sumio lines. The privately held company is adding 60,000
Tanaka, who is in charge of Nissei’s corporate planning square feet of
department, said the company initially plans to assemble manufacturing, 40
hybrid injection molding machines in San Antonio with jobs, and extrusion
clamping forces from 500-1,300 tons, Tanaka said. But he capabilities to
said the plant has the ability — including enough crane meet demand for
capacity — to build much larger presses. “In the future, we composite windows
will make a 3,000-ton [injection press] here. The United in its Andersen 100
States is a very large and important market for us “ Tanaka series of budget
said. The factory began operations in March as a wholly friendly products.
owned U.S. subsidiary called Nissei Plastic Machinery The composite windows are made from Fibrex, which is
America Inc. Nissei has invested about $21 million in the a blend of wood fiber mostly reclaimed from Andersen
114,281-square-foot plant. manufacturing processes, and vinyl, some of which is
also reclaimed. Andersen says Fibrex is twice as strong
as vinyl and low maintenance compared to wood.Used
in both Andersen and Renewal-by-Andersen brand
products, Fibrex is associated with more than 25 U.S.
patents.”By further investing in our Fibrex material
extrusion capabilities, we are investing in our ability to
deliver the high-performing, dependable and energy-
efficient products our consumers expect long into the
future,” Andersen Chairman and CEO Jay Lund said.

The facility is located in Brooks, south of downtown Founded in 1903, Andersen has 12,000 employees at
San Antonio. Nissei President Hozumi Yoda said the big window and door manufacturing sites in North America
machines are aimed at the automotive market. “Currently, and Europe. The company selected Bayport to produce
that’s the Engel, and the KraussMaffei and the Cincinnati more of its proprietary material because it is near
Milacron [presses]. So, we will join that market with made- the Andersen 100 series assembly operation and land
in-the-USA machines. We think U.S. users are appreciating is available at the headquarters.The machinery and
our hybrid machines. So, we are confident that by making equipment will come from “repurposing much of our
a large machine here, they should be accepted, and we North Branch, Minnpolis., extrusion plant to support
could get the market in the United States,” Yoda said. the growth of Renewal by Andersen,” Lund said. In
Tanaka said Nissei has a long-term strategy for the Texas 2015, the company had invested $7 million into the
factory. Nissei has about 10 percent total market share 13-year-old North Branch facility, which makes Fibrex
in the United States, but half of that for large machines. and decorative trim lineal pieces for the Andersen 100
“We’re thinking we may increase our share of the large series and the Renewal replacement windows..A year
machines,” he said. “We will try to make medium and earlier, in 2014, the company had expanded the Bayport
large machines in the U.S. factory.” The capability to plant and added 100 workers for the Andersen 100
make larger injection presses in North America — where series products. Construction for the latest expansion
they will be sold — was a big reason to set up the U.S. is expected to wrap up in the second quarter of
factory, he said. The plant also has warehouse space and a 2019.Andersen and its subsidiaries also manufacture
technical center for customers with demonstration presses windows and doors sold under the Silver Line, American
for testing of molds and materials. Craftsman, Emco, Weiland, MQ and Heritage brands.

Plastics News June 2018 14