Injection Mold

Fire Destroys American Tool & Die Shop; Company Vows to Continue Supporting Customers

Midwest machine tool, die and mold company looks to rebuild after major blaze tore through their 22,000 square feet facility. »

From Tooling for Jaguars to Homes for Humming-birds, Michigan company diversifies

I thought this was pretty interesting, not to mention a lesson in creativity. Focus Mold & Machining in Walker, Mich. was stung pretty bad when JCI went under. What’s one to do when interior dash panels or body side inner programs go away? Well, build high-precision homes for humming birds, of course!

WALKER, Mich. (WZZM) – Tool and die companies have been hit especially hard in the last several years, but Focus Mold and Machining has a new focus that’s helping them survive the economy.

The small business is retooling itself in an unlikely industry: bird feeders.

David Dault has been in the tool and die trade for 25 years. But he says the last three years have been a challenge ever since JCI, his biggest customer shut down the division he supplied.

"There went my work and I was heavily dependent on JCI and the work that they gave us," said Dault.

Luckily Dault’s passion isn’t cars. "Birding is my love. I love to feed the birds and watch the birds," said Dault.

Dault and his team used his automotive mold software to engineer high-end humming bird feeders. Dault plans to market the feeders to a growing industry of "birding."

"I said I have all the equipment I have all the knowledge."

Dault has already sold several feeders to local shops and is marketing the idea online at www.LoveMyBirds.com. He hopes to make them in the shop, full time, taking a lesson from his love of nature: only those who adapt can survive.

West Michigan Mold Shop Receives Aerospace Certification

Commercial Tool & Die, Inc. Achieves

Aerospace Quality Registration

For Immediate Release

Friday, September 25, 2009

Comstock Park, MI, September 15, 2009 – Commercial Tool & Die, Inc. of Comstock Park, Michigan has achieved AS9100:2004 Rev B registration as certified by Perry Johnson Registrars, Inc. of Southfield, Michigan.

The AS9100 standard was established by the International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) for the purpose of achieving significant industry improvements in quality and safety, and reductions in cost throughout the value stream. This standard includes ISO9001:2000 requirements and specifies additional requirements which help the organization focus on the rigorous expectations and requirements of the aerospace industry.

Commercial Tool designs and builds medium to large plastic injection molds for the Automotive, Furniture, and Appliance industries. Aerospace registration means Commercial Tool can also perform aerospace-related manufacturing.

The scope of Commercial Tool’s AS9100:2004 Rev. B registration includes the…

Manufacture and Repair of Tooling, Machined Components, Plastic Injection Molds, and Plastic Injection Molding for Aerospace, Aviation, and Defense Markets.

More information about Commercial Tool can be found at www.commercialtoolgroup.com or by writing sales@commercialtool.com or quality@commercialtool.com. More information about Perry Johnson Registrars, Inc. can be found at www.pjr.com.

Commercial Tool & Die Contacts:

Mike James	Don Brecken	Todd Finley
Sales Manager	Director of Quality	Operations VP
Commercial Tool & Die, Inc	Commercial Tool & Die, Inc.	Commercial Tool & Die, Inc.
5351 Rusche Drive NW	5351 Rusche Drive NW	5351 Rusche Drive NW
Comstock Park, MI 49321	Comstock Park, MI 49321	Comstock Park, MI 49321
Phone: (248) 467-0449	Phone: (616) 785-5751	Phone: (616) 785-5760
mike.james@commercialtool.com	don.brecken@commercialtool.com	todd.finley@commercialtool.com

Michigan Mold Builder Granted T&D Recovery Zone Status

I’m happy to announce that Mach Mold (Benton Harbor, MI) has been approved as a Tool and Die Recovery Zone company. The highly-talented and respected shop specializes in the build of custom molds such as thermoplastic injection, compression and extrusion blow molds.

Editor’s Note:(Bill and Vicki Mach have been operating and leading Mach Mold for 25+ years and have earned a reputation as a trust-worthy and value-seeking strategic supplier)

Die & Mold Shops Report Bump in Activity, Credit “Clunkers” Program

Several tool, die and molding companies have stated an increase in production thanks in part to the "Cash for Clunkers" program. Nobody knows if this spike in tooling demand will sustain once the program ends. However, many of these toolers have fortunately hired back laid off workers and expanded current employees’ working hours.

One beneficiary has been Concours Mold, a highly respected injection mold company with plants in Ontario and Alabama.

Joe