Plastics manufacturer strives to compete in world market

By: Noelle Rulseh, Herald Times Reporter

Name of Business: Ironwood Plastics
Ownership: Robert L. Stephens, co-president and technical support team leader, Two Rivers facility; Mark and Scott Stephens, co-presidents, Ironwood, Mich., facility)
When business started: 1987, Two Rivers facility; 1979, Ironwood facility
Location: 2800 18th St., Two Rivers
Phone number: (920) 793-3060
Web site: www.ironwood.com
Hours and days of operation: Monday to Friday (24/5)

Services provided/products sold: Every plastic item made comes from specially designed molds like those used at Ironwood Plastics. The company's state-of-the-art facility houses leading-edge technology and equipment to deliver the highest-quality custom injection molded products. Customers bring their unique specifications for a design, and Ironwood Plastics produces the mold and makes the plastic parts.

Ironwood manufactures a wide range of products, including locking fuel caps and rollover valves for the automotive industry, electronic power meter components for the housing market, heavy manufacturing equipment parts for the industrial market, and components for missiles and guidance systems for the military.

How has business changed since opening: The automotive and electronics markets have grown rapidly since the company opened. The complexity of the parts has changed, and the company now uses robots in its production processes.

Who are the customers and from where? Ironwood Plastics ships to automobile manufacturers from all over the world and serves many heavy-duty equipment and small electronics companies.

Who or what is the competition? Competition is worldwide with other companies that make custom injection-molded products.

How is marketing done? The company markets its products through its Web site and at trade shows. Ironwood also uses manufacturer's representatives who travel to develop leads and make contacts for new business.

What are the keys to future success? Ironwood Plastics has a team environment. With people who are well trained, the company meets customer demand with excellent pricing, high quality, and timely delivery.

Factors under control or not under control of ownership: Factors under control include training of the workforce and maintenance of the equipment and molds. The company cannot control the ever-changing costs of raw materials.

What is the role of creativity or imagination in running the business or selling your products or services?

Success depends on coming up with methods that are better, quicker, and less expensive, and finding creative ways to increase production and reduce scrap.

What is challenging? Key challenges include staying competitive in the world market, coming up with new ideas to stay ahead of the competition and hiring and training people to work in a world-class environment.

What is frustrating? Frustrations include occasional unexpected demands from customers, and seeing automotive customers pull back orders because demand for new vehicles is low.

What is enjoyable? Rob Stephens said: "The technical challenges to do things better than what you're currently doing them, and better than your competition."

Anna Grove removes a valve control piece produced by her injection-molding machine at Ironwood Plastics in Two Rivers on Tuesday.

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