Icon Plastics sees benefits of robotics technology

Icon Plastics has expanded its workforce and production facility following a £200,000 investment in new equipment to meet rising demand.

Operations Director Phil Walker (Credit: Keith Taylor)

The Tees Valley business has installed two Negribossi Canbio ST machines, bringing the total number of plastic injection moulding machines at the Eaglescliffe site to 27.

The new machines use robotics-based technology and computer design to produce plastic components for use in industries as wide-ranging as the medical, construction, defence and automotive fields.

Icon Plastics managing director Gareth Thomas said:

“This latest investment is part of our continued strategy to develop and expand our business offering to maintain our position at the forefront of the industry.”

The company has expanded its workforce to bring the total number of staff to 56. This includes the appointment of a new operations manager and three line operators, who have each been trained in the intricacies of the new machines.

Icon Plastics operations director Phil Walker said:

“The new Negribossi machines are a major upgrade for Icon. They are more accurate and efficient than our previous machines thanks to their synchronous motors, technology more often seen in industrial robots.”