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











