LUDLOW — Meredith-Springfield Associates Inc. is a plastic manufacturer specializing in the production of bottles and hollow technical products made by extrusion blow molding and injection stretch blow molding. It recently broke ground on Ludlow's expansion project.
The project will add 5,000 square feet of light manufacturing space, 12,000 square feet of warehouse space, and three new loading docks, covering an area of 1,000 square feet, bringing the total facility to 83,000 square feet. The larger footprint makes way for six top machines, which will help automate production and increase productivity.
"Meredith-Springfield was chartered in 1979," said Mel O'Leary, President and CEO. "Through our incredible growth over the years, we call Massachusetts home, so being able to expand the headquarters where our company was born is important to who we are."
Since its establishment, Meredith-Springfield has been providing PET, HDPE, PP, PVC, PA, ePET, TPE, TPU, ABS, LDPE and fluoropolymer extrusion and coextrusion (double and triple) blow molding and Injection stretch blow molding is for global customers. Famous customers include American Distilling, B&G Foods, Henkel, Honeywell LifeMade Products, PepsiCo, Reebok, etc.
"Using existing space to meet our growing business needs is a challenge," O'Leary added. "This investment in construction and manufacturing equipment allows us to better plan for the future and increase efficiency. It will provide us with room for growth while enhancing our manufacturing and warehouse space."
In the next few months, Meredith-Springfield will install two new extrusion blow molding machines, a Bekum 155 and R&B/Sika 850 long stroke, and an Aoki AL-1000 injection stretch blow molding machine. In addition to the forming machine, the manufacturer also purchased three new fully automatic Dyco bagging machines and a Mexan Automation semi-automatic bagging machine. These machines will automatically unload the bottles from the machines after production, and are accompanied by a conveyor belt that provides leakage and visual inspections. The bagger will then palletize the finished product and prepare it for shipment without using corrugated boxes.
"Ultimately, our goal is to provide our customers with higher quality products with shorter lead times and more sustainable packaging," O'Leary said. "We will soon have the space and equipment needed by the company to provide the services that customers expect and deserve, while taking it to the next level. We are all very happy to be able to start the next phase of our company's development."